3d Tentacles

I saw a post in one of the graphic forums, about how to get the neat effect of tentacles in Photoshop. Many responses were, "They used a 3D program.". Well, I have 3D Studio Max, and I still have not come across an easy way to do this. Does anyone know any good, tutorials on this effect?

This is how I'd do it. As always, there may be a better/easier way. First create a spline. Choose Line and in the Creation Method roll-out, choose Initial Type "Smooth" and Dray Type "Bezier". Then draw your curved line. After you've created this spline, create a Circle (located underneath the Line option). Draw a small circle somwhere in the view port. Next, select your curved line and under the Geometry tab, choose Loft. Under Creation Method in the roll-out, choose Get Shape. Move your pointer over the circle you drew and when your pointer turns to a cross, right click. Now your curved line is shaped like a curved tube. Go to your Modifier list and choose Taper. Under Taper Axis, choose X as the Primary. Then adjust the taper amount to whatever you want. Sounds kind of complicated but it's not really.