Well, I must say this isn't going to be the best tutorial.

I just wanted to put a max file out there for people to pick apart.

A couple of things about using the default radiosity in max. Your scale and materials are key.

This example was of an interior scene with a large geometry count. Yes it is simple geomtry but that could be replace right.

Try not to use so many lights that you forget why your adding lights. Keep it simple...

If you use standard max materials with not Advanced Lighting override then watch your Ambient color above the Diffuse color.

Try to tweek the radiosity calc with the Advanced Lighting override.

Try to keep the geometry simple and let the radiosity engine do the sub-divide for you underr meshing parameters. Go with high numbers before you go lower. The lower you go the more sub-divisions it will do on your geometry.

This image is just a render with the default materials applied. Everything looks like a glows been applied and color bleeds eveerywhere

This is the final image with a proper material and the Advanced Lighting Override applied. Now you have control...

You can grab the 3dsmax file HERE

Now have fun with it!