Rigging in 3d max is challenging Part . I have some technic to do it.
1. Create model.
2. Create -> Helper -> Bones -> Draw bone hierarchies.
3. Transform bone hierarchies and base model poses to match the best way possible.
4. Save. Max will kill you (at least it hangs on me) if you undo the next step.
5. Add Skin or Physique modifier to object and link bones to it.
6. Adjust envelopes etc. so that all vertices are correctly (==pleasingly) influenced.
7. Animate the bone transformations.
Disclaimer: This is the "programmer artist" sequence of making it. Don't know for the world of artists.
