MAX Plugins.de News Archive

Archived Plugin News  –  September 2006
 

Plugin Update: Utilities

This is a V-Ray 1.5 RC2 compatibility update which has a modified UI to deal with changes in the way RPManager supports renderers on a UI level, full support of renderer properties is unchanged. The older v3.50832 can be used with V-Ray 1.5 by using the standard render dialog in Max, one pass at a time. This version allows multipass editing of almost ALL V-Ray properties, rather than just a subset.

RPManager is available for Max 6 to 8, and costs $300. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.7.0.7 are:
- GrannyExport script commands can now suppress the progress window
- Maxscript can now set exporter values for textures / materials correctly
- A complete list of all changes can be found here

Granny Exporter is available for Max 5 to 8, and is part of the Granny Toolkit which costs $12500.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v0.2.6 are:
- Consolidates mporter, exporter and props utility to one plugin
- Fixes exporter bug in Skin Partitioning
- Tags exported NIF files with plugin version
- Fixes export of selected nodes
- Supports import / export of Prn strings for Oblivion and Morrowind
- Exporter now places all data in NonAccum nodes if available
- Adds progress bar updates while exporting
- Adds links to website and wiki to dialog


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v3.0.0 are:
- Fixes object / texture settings being forgotten when the scene was saved / reloaded


Plugin Update: Objects

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Snake objects are now saved properly with the scene


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.5 beta are:
- Adds search paths to PSC import

Point Oven is available for Max 6 to 8, and costs $99. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.5 beta are:
- Fixes motion blur bug in MDD reader

Point Oven is available for Max 6 to 8, and costs $99. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v2.5 are:
- New system for manipulating CATRigs
- Copy and paste layers for key frame animation
- Unique procedural walk-cycle system
- Pose mixer for bone-based facial animation

CAT is available for Max 6 to 8, and costs $995. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v0.2.5 are:
- Animation export dialogs and procedures rewritten
- Fixes exporter issues with NiStencilProperty
- Adds option to export accum nodes
- *.kf is now merged with *.nif
- Skin partition can now be exported in different ways
- Auto detect parameter has been exposed
- Adds import option to ignore root
- Time Tag and Key Note params are now exposed in importer


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.5 beta are:
- Fixes numerous crashes and bugs in PSC import
- Complete rewrite of the MDD reader
- Adds minor fixes to the baker

Point Oven is available for Max 6 to 8, and costs $99. A demo version is available here.


Site News: Database update

I've just finished clearing out loads of dead links for the second time this year, and just about all of the download links should now work.

For lovers of useless information, here are the numbers of plugins in the database:
Max 1 - 229 plugins
Max 2 - 388 plugins
Max 3 - 540 plugins
Max 4 - 524 plugins
Max 5 - 577 plugins
Max 6 - 460 plugins
Max 7 - 487 plugins
Max 8 - 495 plugins
Max 9 - 2 plugins
mental ray - 193 shaders
Commercial - 276 plugins


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.6.16.28 are:
- Improved support for materials


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v3.0.0 are:
- Updates the exporters to work with the new version of TurnTool


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.6 are:
- Fixes a tangent space problem when exporting normal maps


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.5 are:
- Adds "MATERIAL_AUTO" generation to make easier use of luxinia's shader
- Bugfixes with optimization / tangents


Plugin Update: Texturing

Changes for v1.203 are:
- VRay Proxy objects are now supported in the Planter
- Planter is now fully exposed to MAXScript
- Viewport Proxy mode display has been improved
- Procedural Terrain Map noise algorithm has been optimized
- Fixes a bug in Preview grab
- Fixes some minor cosmetic and UI related problems

GroundWiz is available for Max 5 to 8, and costs $180. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Miscellaneous

Changes for v1.0 are:
- The original files were missing some code, it should now work

The script version has also been updated.


Plugin Update: Connection

Changes for v5.11 Build 286014 are:
- Fixes render nodes initialization problems
- Fixes Vue GI/GR optimization routines
- Improved network rendering
- Improved xStream OpenGL engine stability
- Improved stability of the plugin when using the Vue interface
- Fixes a freeze when rendering with a floating license
- You can now load non-incorporated scenes when using render node licenses

xStream is available for Max 7 and 8, and costs $495.


New Plugin: Objects / Modifiers

MLDecorate Modifier and MLDecorate procedural object allow you to project one object A (Mesh to Project) onto another B (Projection Mesh) using the UV Mapping of the projection mesh. The MLStraps object has the same functionality as the MLDecorate object but can additionally deform B (projection mesh) as well making it especially suitable for things like straps on a body.


Plugin Update: Controllers

Changes for v1.5 are:
- Now works correctly with multiple events in PFlow
- Some bug-fixes


New Plugin: Miscellaneous

TabletMAX is a navigation control replacement for tablet users of Max and Silo. The controls are a derivation of Max's navigation controls that eliminates the necessity of a third mouse button. For Silo, the controls have also been enhanced to more closely resemble the fluidity of navigation from within Max.

There is also a script version available here for users of AutoHotkey.


New Plugin: Import / Export

Mesh Foot allows you to seamlessly integrate exported .3DS or .OBJ mesh sequences from Poser into existing scenes without re-animating, re-boning, or re-skinning anything. This unique concept allows you to treat an imported mesh sequence as if it were video footage, simplifying the integration of Poser mesh exports into Max. Each Mesh Foot object has it's own Out-Of-Range Setting, Scale and Time Stretch updating within the scene as you scrub the timeline.

Mesh Foot is available for Max 5 to 8, and costs $199. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v0.2.4 are:
- Adds Animation Priority
- Removes unused Globals


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v0.2.4 are:
- Adds animation export
- Adds option to ignore UPB buffers on import
- Fixes problem with Animation Note Tracks not being cleared
- Fixes issue with BSpline animation when too much data is present
- Imports Animation Priority into user prop buffer


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v0.1.09 are:
- Crash bug fixed
- Exporter is now MAXScript-enabled


New Plugin: Objects

This plugin is used to create animated digital displays such as LEDs, LCDs and old-style Burroughs 'Nixie' formed-wire vacuum displays. The supplied library maintenance utility allows users to define new custom displays as needed for various projects and store them in a common library.

The plugin is still in beta, and there is still some fine-tuning to do. If you find any show-stopping bugs, make sure to let Tom know.


New Plugin: mental ray Shaders

This is a lens shader for removing black squares caused by floating point problems (NAN - not a number). It is especially useful when using final gathering. You know that you've got NAN problems when you increase the filter size and your black squares increase as well. The black pixels are replaced during rendering by the color set in the parameters.


New Plugin: Objects

This is a shape object for creating snake-like splines.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.2.2 are:
- Adds 'multi slice', which can define a set of knifes, and chop the solid with all of them in one step (turn a solid into particles)

hbBool is available for Max 7 and 8, and costs $295. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.02 are:
- Adds support for vertex colours


Site News: No updates for the next week...

I'm going to be out of the office for the next week, so I won't be able to update anything here until next weekend. Dave.


New Plugin: Utilities

Image Mixer is a utility plugin which creates smooth transitions from one image to another. It is useful when creating objects and landscapes which use numerous textures and need smooth transitions between them.

Image Mixer is available for Max 7 and 8, and costs $17. A demo version is available here.