MAX Plugins.de News Archive

Archived Plugin News  –  December 2010
 

Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v0.2 are:
- Adds support for 64-bit Max 2008 to 2011


Plugin News: Automatron now free

It looks like Andy Murdock has made his awesome character animation tool Automatron into freeware. He has posted a new version (v1.2) which removes the licensing from the collection of scripts.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v4.0 Build 20101226 are:
- Adds support for panorama rendering

Photo Studio Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs €199. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for Build 1744 are:
- Bug-fixes


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v3.17.4 Beta 1 are:
- Increases the precision of normal maps in the DX10 graphics driver
- Fixes a problem with translucency in the DX10 graphics driver
- Modified the japanese translations (thanks to Yamato 'Ymt3D')
- Adds a security mechanism to avoid buffer overruns / outbound vertex indices
- Changed the default installation folder in x64 mode to 'Program files'
- Adds two preset buttons to the Max SBM exporter
- Adds a post-render interactive tool for more control over height map clamping
- Fixes a potential bug with multicore CPUs in the Max SBM exporter
- Removes the mesh scale warning dialog in unattended mode
- Adds an '-unattended' option to the Maya SBM exporter to skip message boxes
- Made improvements to the curvature map algorithm
- Fixes a bug with the background color in the curvature map


Site News: Happy Holidays!

MAX Plugins.de would like to wish all visitors to the site all the best for the holidays. I hope you have a good and peaceful one.

Dave


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.1 are:
- Adds support for SolidWorks 2011 files

SolidWorks Importer is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs $150. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Connection

Changes for v6.1 are:
- Adds a job dependency graph panel
- Adds a running processes panel
- The 'Output Image Panel' now optionally creates thumbnails
- The JobList now has tally fields for status
- The JobList now has a summary of all task status items
- All menus are now dynamically loaded
- All list panels now have customizable columns
- Package and other parameters are now column prefs
- Adds a search history function
- You can now submit jobs with environment variables
- Admin->Install License is now a cut/paste dialog box
- Adds new in-app submission: Houdini hython render

Qube! is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs $250 (worker license) / $500 (supervisor license). A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v6.1.2 are:
- Fixes a renderclient bug that could lead to a crash when managing the clients
- Fixes a reconnection bug that could lock the renderclients out of the Dispatcher
- The Windows 64-bit installer now detects 64-bit versions of Maya

Muster is available for Max 8 to 2011 and costs $85. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling / Animation

Changes for v1.5.0 SP1 are:
- Adds the ability to convert GrowFX objects into Editable Splines
- Fixes some bugs in the Meta mesh algorithm

This version of GrowFX is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $325. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: New Stripes alpha version

Mankua have released a new alpha version of their upcoming Stripes plugin, which is being developed to add Ptex support to Max.

New features in the Ptex plugins are:
- Fixes a bug when baking planar XYZ textures
- Adds 'Output' texture options

If you are interested in becoming a beta-tester, then head over to this page and apply.

The commercial release of Stripes is planned for the first quarter of 2011.


New Plugin: Materials

This plugin allows you to import measured color palettes (*.CxF files) exported from ColorMunki Design, which is a multifunctional tool for accurately measuring color. It provides a calibrated rendering environment that allows for imagery generation using 'real' color representation for measured materials.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v3.01 are:
- Adds support for Max 2010 and 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Updated for use with Dimenco displays (formerly Philips 3D Solutions)

2D+Z is available for Max 2010 to 2011 and costs €359. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.0.75 are:
- You can now auto-convert VRIMG files to EXR on the fly after each frame render
- You can convert them into one EXR file with all channels or separate EXR files for each channel

VrayMultiStageRender is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $15. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.7.4.16703 are:
- Fixes treeview not showing some nodes when switching back to single-pane mode
- Fixes batch-renaming of nodes
- Fixes viewports not being auto-redrawn after objects were added to layers
- Adds a configuration option to not display scene node group members
- Fixes treeview scene nodes not appearing after their parent is expanded

Zookeeper is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs $249. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.0 are:
- Adds a marker creation utility for creating custom augmented reality (AR) markers
- Adds support for multiple markers
- You can now export independent AR files for viewing with the free ARmedia Player
- Adds an antialiasing filter that enhances the visual appearance of the 3D models
- You can now create 'Occluder Objects' (virtual invisible objects for occlusion)
- Adds a 'Light Debug' option to adjust tracking robustness

AR-media Plugin & Exporter is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs €249. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v4.5 are:
- Adds a new paint tool with smoothing mode for quick local weight adjustments
- Completely new MAXScript interface for easier, more extensive third party access
- Max default conform undo system added to the existing legacy workflow
- MetaBones now have an optional real-time mode similar to ParaBones
- Significant performance increases for the most used actions in BonesPro
- BonesPro now works natively with object types and no longer converts them internally
- Bone groups can now easily be turned into selection sets
- Bones with non-orthogonal local coordinate systems can now be used without distortions
- Various minor fixes

BonesPro is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs €299. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Connection

Changes for v6.3.3.8068 / 8069 are:
- CAD: Metadata is no longer lost when saving to JT
- CAD: Fixes neutral object color difference with assembly mode
- CATIA: Association between points and notes is no longer missing
- Fixes PMI association warnings when saving to RHz
- DWF export no longer creates files that cannot be opened
- Deep Exploration now remembers highlight style selected for an assignment
- Delete Volume selection in Deep Exploration now works
- Deep Exploration now reads legacy RH files correctly
- Deep Exploration no longer crashes when painting SOLID objects
- Fixes unintended camera jumps in steps
- Import options for XML files have been updated
- Callouts UI no longer causes Catia 5 assembly import to crash
- Properties button on the animation tab for step properties now works
- Fixes a crash when exporting to vector illustration with Bezier curves
- Deep Exploration no longer crashes when saving
- Thumbnails are no longer generated without objects
- Fixes a crash when using a combination of settings for callouts
- Fixes an animation bug in 6.3 using three or more procedures
- Deep Exploration is now compatible with twelve core CPUs
- Fixes a crash when loading files created with reverse steps
- The HDR realtime renderer now starts properly
- VZXML: Fixes text block substitution and node name lookup
- VZXML: Scaling Volume Search - selection now changes to scale
- VZXML: Sphere volume search now displays when creating a new one from previous deleted one
- VZXML: Auto 'make from' - fixes a Detail View initial visibility issue
- VZXML: 'Snap tool' used in animation no longer breaks WI

Deep Exploration CAD Edition is available for Max 5 to 2011 and costs $2,995. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.10.35 are:
- Fixes issues with creating a new material library
- Fixes issues with creating Mental Ray proxies on a network drive
- Some changes made to the 'Batch Thumbnail Render' tool

Project Manager is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs $60. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling / Texturing

Changes for v1.1.05a are:
- Adds support for V-Ray 2.00.02

MultiScatter is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs €200.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for Build 6.0.0.25 are:
- Adds compatibility with Autodesk Revit 2011
- Adds a wizard for file import with options for handedness, up axis and parity source
- You can now create and run additional steps to customize import
- You can now add the entities browser and properties window to the EXE file

Nova Studio 2010 Ultimate is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs €3,490. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v2.5 include:
- Adds Maxwell Fire, a new fast interactive renderer
- SubSurface Scattering is vastly improved in both quality and performance
- Fixes a potential crash when merging MXI files
- Fixes problems stopping blow up / region renders
- MXI file size no longer increases everytime the file is resumed
- Fixes a leak in Simulens scattering
- Simulens now works properly with external HDR images
- Fixes artifacts with motion blur in some cases
- Fixes scenarios where shadow GI was failing
- Shadow channel and hide to camera now works properly
- Shadow channel and matte materials now works properly
- Fixes a potential crash with SSS + shadow pass
- Fixes artifacts being generated when sky dome was active but sky color was black
- Improved error handling when textures are not found
- Fixes a crash when rendering at low resolutions with a high number of threads
- Maxwell now saves output correctly when the process is killed externally
- The fresnel and roughness channel format and depth are now properly stored to disk
- Fixes minor problems in handling of error messages
- Fixes a problem in zbuffer range when resuming
- Fixes potential artifacts when rendering using Color Multilight
- Fixes a potential crash when launching the About menu
- Fixes a bug in image viewer when the image was rotated
- Fixes some GUI actions not working in fullscreen mode
- Fixes emixer horizontal layout
- Saving the alpha channel manually now works if the channel is embedded in the image
- Improved reading of eulum files in OSX
- And much much more... a full list of changes can be found here (PDF)

Maxwell Render is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs €895. A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: Materialwerk Christmas Special

Materialwerk GbR are running a Christmas special offer until December 24th 2010, where you can get a 33% discount on their BRIX plugin. Instead of $379 / €299 you pay just $259 / €199.

BRIX Complete is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and normally costs $379. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v0.4 Beta 14012 are:
- Bug-fixes


Plugin Update: Materials

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for V-Ray 2.0

Thanks go to Vlado Koylazov for updating the plugin to work with V-Ray 2.0


Plugin Update: Objects

Changes for v1.14 are:
- Adds support for V-Ray 2.0

Thanks go to Vlado Koylazov for updating the plugin to work with V-Ray 2.0


Plugin News: New Stripes alpha version

Mankua have released a new alpha version of their upcoming Stripes plugin, which is being developed to add Ptex support to Max.

New features in the Ptex plugins are:
- Adds 64-bit Max plugins
- Fixes an erratic bug when rendering
- Filters and filter size are now working
- Bump quality has been improved (using Bicubic filtering)

New features in Stripes are:
- You can now resize Ptex images with filtering
- Adds tile options for stencil painting
- The stencil can now be hidden
- Fixes a crash bug when closing the Texture Editor
- Fixes a crash bug after File > New

If you would be interested in becoming a beta-tester, then head over to this page and apply.

The commercial release of Stripes is planned for the first quarter of 2011.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v3.4 are:
- Adds a new display mode: Points Cloud
- 'Display Simplification' viewport level has been replaced by a 'Max. Items' parameter
- The density of items on screen can be adjusted based on the Max. Items parameter
- Improved scattering speed when using camera clipping
- Adds new proxy models: Thin Box and Plant
- Adds multiple surfaces support
- In absence of area splines, the surfaces are used as scattering areas
- Adds density and scale falloff curves by altitude
- Altitude for limits and falloff is now computed in Forest local coordinates
- Overlapping of items at different heights is now allowed in Generate mode
- All 'Get UVW from Surface' parameters have been removed
- All items that don't intersect with a surface are now discarded
- Adds V-Ray 2.0 support
- Adds Rotate and Scale maps
- Adds random translation on the Z axis
- Boundary checking with Area splines now has two modes: 'Point' or 'Size'
- Nesting level is now considered when evaluating area splines
- Presets can now be exported and imported to external files
- A special version of Forest 2.4 is now included for compatibility (Forest Pro only)
- Exclude and Following splines has been enabled in Forest Lite
- Transform rotation now works properly using a fixed angle in mix/max range
- The current distribution is now preserved when changing to Custom Edit mode
- The 'Prevent Self-Shadow' feature now works properly in Mental Ray
- The Surface->Auto feature now works properly with animated surfaces
- Fixes a crash bug when loading scenes with XRef objects
- Empty meshes no longer trigger an error when used with Collisions
- Collision info in the Forest Stats window now shows correct results
- The software is now less intrusive if there is no active license
- License errors no longer clear the items in Custom Edit mode

Forest Pack Pro is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs €200. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Particles / Animation

Changes for v1.2 are:
- Adds an extension for liquid simulations
- Adds a turbulence helper
- Adds forward transfer advection
- Adds randomization
- Adds an analytic scattering mode
- Adds ramps and ranges in the viewport
- Adds the ability to use the radius of the PF particles in the source helper
- Adds color ramp and preview range for each channel
- Adds an RGB preview of the UVW channel
- Adds limits for the adaptive grid
- Interaction with the scene has been optimized
- You can now displace without surface projection, using the 3D point coordinates
- Fixes a problem with solid sources when the temperature channel is inactive
- Fixes a crash when a body exits from an adaptive grid
- The fluid can no longer pass through a thin object
- Fixes a problem where CAT couldn't add fingers when Phoenix FD is installed
- Fixes vorticity not affecting certain areas in the simulation
- Fixes the GPU preview continuing to update even when the window was invisible
- Fixes a crash with solid mode displacement and surfaces crossing the upper boundary
- Phoenix texture now samples UVW and velocity channels even if the node isn't rendered
- Fixes the rendering hanging when the cell size is too small

Phoenix FD is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $895.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v3.5 are:
- Adds finalToon NPR, which creates materials that look like paintings
- New finalToon Wrapper allows finalToon lines to be controlled by any compatible Max material

finalToon is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs €495. (Updated 13.12.2010: Max 2008 is no longer supported.)


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v3.5 are:
- The GI system has been overhauled in many areas
- You can now freely choose between any primary and secondary GI-engine
- GI sampling quality has been enhanced
- Rendering speed improvements up to 10x for GI effects together with FumeFX
- One unified solution-file dialog now handles all GI-solution files
- Adds the new GI system HarmonicsGI
- fR-Scatter has been updated to support fR-Proxy objects
- Adds a new global render option: Unload Maps
- In fR-Advanced, Anisotropy Amount / Orientation can now use standard Max texture maps
- In fR-Advanced, Reflections / Spectral Amount / Balance can now use standard Max texture maps
- The fR-Ocean material now offers bitmap-based foam map support
- Adds a new Cycle option to the ocean object allowing for smooth, looping wave animations
- Ocean object viewport and rendering mesh resolution are now separate
- fR-MultiSubMap has a new option to support fR-Proxy objects
- MTD has enhanced performance and multi-core processor support has been optimized
- fR Dome Light is now faster, smoother and better than before
- The fR Physical Camera Rollout preview window now shows vignetting in real time
- The Surface Shader Amount in fR-FastSkin can now be mapped with any texture map
- Adds the new fR-Proxy object for replacing geometry at render time
- Adds the new fR Reinhard Tone Mapper render effect (SE only)
- Adds the new fR-AA Sampling render effect to output anti-aliasing information
- The new fR-Vignetting render element writes out the vignetting effect
- fR-Reflection can now create alpha-channels based on the reflected object
- fR-Refraction can now create an alpha-channel based on the refracted object
- fR-Complete has a new 'Exclude Environment' option
- Adds the new fR-2Sided wrapper material
- fR-Skin2 now supports multiple layers and better control of light scattering (SE only)
- fR-CarPaint2 now has multiple lacquer layers and advanced metallic flake effects
- Adds the new fR-MultiMtl (basically the fRMultiSub map implemented as a material)
- Adds a new, true 3D stereo camera model

finalRender is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs €995 (Standard) / €1295 (Studio Edition). (Updated 13.12.2010: Max 2008 is no longer supported.)


Plugin Update: Modelling / Animation

Changes for v1.5.0 are:
- Adds the 'Meta Mesh' mesh builder for smooth transitions between trunks and branches
- Adds a new direction modifier called 'Optimize Steps'
- You can now influence almost all parameters of cylinder mesh UVW mapping
- Improved the cylinder mesh UI (advanced parameters group)
- Fixes some minor bugs

GrowFX is available for Max 8 to 2011 and costs $325. A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: New r|shaders beta version

Alessandro Cangelosi has released the latest beta version (v0.9) of his upcoming shader collection r|shaders. In this version, he has added a Magma shader to the collection, so the shaders are now complete. The final 1.0 version will be out before the end of the year, and will including the final User Manual.

He has also updated his website with new information, a new gallery is online, and the online shop is up and running. There is also a new pricing policy and a new special promotional pricelist for December.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v2.0 include:
- V-Ray RT and V-Ray RT GPU interactive renderers are now included
- Adds VRayCarPaintMtl material with accurate flakes simulation
- Adds VRayDistanceTex texture that measures distances to arbitrary mesh objects
- Adds VRayLightSelect render element to extract the contribution of individual lights
- Adds VRayDRBucket render element to show which machine rendered which bucket in DR mode
- Adds VRayLensEffects render effect for producing glow and glare
- Adds VRayExposureControl plugin for exposure of regular viewport and camera views
- Adds VRayStereoRig controller for easy stereoscopic setup
- Adds shade maps for faster rendering of stereo images, DOF and motion blur
- Adds dispersion to the VRayMtl material
- Adds support for bidirectional path tracing for accurate unbiased lighting solutions
- Adds a directionality parameter to rectangle V-Ray lights
- Adds dynamic loading of tiled OpenEXR textures through the VRayHDRI texture
- Adds a command-line tool for mass conversion of textures to tiled OpenEXR files
- Adds a V-Ray specific light lister
- Integration of the various V-Ray components in the Max 'Create' menu
- Adds tools for calculating / rendering accurate camera distortion using .lens files
- Adds support for MetaSL shaders
- VRayProxy objects now render faster
- Adds support for proper motion blur of Thinking Particles
- Proper blending of gizmos for VRayEnvironmentFog
- Improved raytracing precision in certain cases
- Adds a render history function to the V-Ray VFB
- You can now load and compare images directly in the V-Ray frame buffer
- Adds support for rendering VRayProxy objects as point clouds
- Better viewport representation of V-Ray lights in Max 2010 and later
- Adds a retrace threshold for the light cache
- ...and many other small fixes and improvements

V-Ray is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $1350. An upgrade for V-Ray licenses purchased before August 1st 2010 costs $510, licenses purchased after that date can be upgraded for $190. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v5.0 include:
- Updated character animation and workflow features
- Dynamic Render interactive rendering
- Adds new Sketch mode
- Hair and particle instances
- UV bake render
- View shader flow displacement in OpenGL
- and much much more...

A full list of new features, improvements and bug-fixes can be found here (PDF).

messiah:Studio is available for Max 6 to 2011 and normally costs $499 (Basic) / $1199 (Pro). For a limited time, Max users can purchase a license for $399 (Basic) / $599 (Pro). A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Animation

Audioflow SpaceTravel is a commercial MAXScript that enables objects to travel to sound (and other input) incrementally, without going back to their original position. Just wire the SpaceTraveler to any parameter, position and rotation being only two of the many possibilities. Let the parameters grow over time, synced to sound, with manual control over the dynamic force. SpaceTravel allows objects to go on a long journey triggered by sound or other impulses, letting you create a whole new experience of traveling in CG Space. Use it for music videos, motion graphics, commercials, abstract art, visual FX, etc.

Audioflow SpaceTravel is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs €39.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v1.2 are:
- Adds a new user interface
- Adds a new SmartArray function
- Adds a button to close the splines

Audioflow SplineSync is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs €39. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v1.3 are:
- Completely new and advanced user interface
- Adds new spline baking algorithms
- Adds a new scale controller

Superflow Elements is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs €39. A demo version is available here.


New Shader: mental ray Shaders

This shader tries to mimic a painterly artistic look seen on classic oil paintings but using mental ray. This is not done via a post-processing effect as an image manipulation filter, but actually just cleverly places samples using a lens shader and puts the results back together in a final output shader with some additional filtering. It isn't perfect yet since the pattern that currently emerges is a bit too regular, but it is really quick, so you could use it as an extremly quick preview render as it gives better results than the standard low sampling options.

There are a couple of restrictions with this shader
- other post processing / output shaders won't work with this
- third party lens shaders won't work with this
- exposure controls are currently ignored


Misc Update: Hotfix 4 for Max 2011 released

Autodesk have released Hotfix 4 for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011.

Hotfix 4 addresses the following issues:
- FileLink: Reloading FBX files from FileLink no longer results in layer loss
- Graphite: viewport canvas no longer causes an error when working with hidden objects
- Bitmap Proxies: the Alpha channel now loads properly when opening files
- Fixes an issue with the satellite rendering license caused by the previous Hotfix
- Viewport display now uses face angle-weighted normals when displaying normal maps
- Quicksilver now updates correctly when loading a new XSML file
- In Quicksilver, loading XMSL files now respects file parameter values
- Fixes some Slate text fields not allowing text input after applying Service Pack 1
- Gamma now displays correctly in the viewport when Tone Mapping is enabled


Plugin News: December offer from Craft Animations

Craft Animations are running an offer for the whole of December which gives you the opportunity to buy two Craft Director Studio products for the price of one. You will get the cheapest product for free. The offer is valid for all products, all editions, in any combination regardless of volume.

Craft Director Studio is available for Max 7 to 2011 and prices range from $99 to $1199. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.7.3.32847 are:
- You can now choose to group or parent scene nodes dropped onto a group scene node
- Adds a configuration option to automatically choose an action when dropping nodes onto group nodes
- Fixes a major crash when canceling object cloning of a group under particular circumstances

Zookeeper is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs $249. A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: Vue 9 xStream PLE available

e-on software, inc. have released the Vue 9 xStream Personal Learning Edition (PLE), which is a fully functional version of Vue 9 xStream.

The PLE allows you to create complete projects, save your work and export to other applications; render stills and animations without size/length limit; experience Vue directly inside Max; learn at your own pace (the PLE never expires).

The PLE is for personal, non-commercial use only, files cannot be exchanged with other PLE users and are not compatible with other versions of Vue. Renders may be watermarked and carry a logo.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.10.22 are:
- Speed up starting the utility
- Adds the ability to hide all panels with the F11 key
- Interactive updating of folder contents when changing the filter text
- You are now prompted for replacement settings before the replacement
- Adds more informative messages about file and folder operations
- The status bar is now more informative
- Some design changes
- Adds the virtual folder Favorites to store links to files and folders
- Adds the ability to copy the textures with the model files and materials
- Standard Windows Explorer features now work with files and folders
- Files and folders can now be copied, renamed and deleted
- Adds standard Windows dialogs for working with files and folders
- Adds support for Drag&Drop when working with files and folders
- Folder contents are updated interactively when adding or deleting files
- Speed up loading the folders tree in the navigation panel
- You can now access the standard Windows Explorer menu with the shift key
- Render Thumbnail now works in the menu
- You can now cache images of standard formats, regardless of Max
- Adds the ability to save models to the library with a viewport screenshot
- Adds the ability to translate asset paths to local or network

Project Manager is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and normally costs $60. Until December 6th, you can buy a license for $50. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Objects / mental ray Shaders

Changes for v0.50a are:
- Adds a TIFF image stack loader
-Adds DICOM image stack loader using (DCMTK) no JPEG2k compression support
- Adds internal shadow casting for isosurface rendering (mental ray only)
- Hardware viewport display now supports spotlights
- Fixes hardware viewport light support
- Fixes UI control names in TrackView
- A couple of other UI fixes
- Memory management changes in the mental ray shader


New Plugin: Lighting

The Studio Light Rig is a high quality collection of lights, background cycs and pre-set scenes that allow you to easily light your scene with realistic soft boxes, octagon soft lights, fluorescents, and more. The rig is not a plugin, it simply uses existing mental ray and V-Ray lights and enhances them to have more realistic falloff and reflections. Each light has slight surface imperfections and gradients that make them more believable.

Features include:
- 10 studio lights: 5 soft box variations, 2 fluorescent types and 3 ring lights
- 5 pre-made cyc walls: s-curves, full and half dome, double and half wall, and floors
- Quick parameter changes based on your selections
- Visual Indicator for your lightmap while you work
- Ability to copy and paste between light sources on the fly
- Removal tools for the background cycs and the light rigs
- Utility for copying all studio light rigs and pasting them into new scenes
- Includes render preset for both mental ray and V-Ray
- Seamless integration into Max without the hassle of being a plugin
- Easily toggle on/off your selection of lights
- Visually see color temperature and light map intensity changes in the viewport
- All studio lights and background cycs are created neatly on layers
- Global controls for visibility to cameras / reflections / refractions
- Global controls for shadow quality sampling

The Studio Light Rig is available in mental ray and V-Ray versions.

Studio Light Rig is available for Max 2010 to 2011 and costs $195 for either the V-Ray or mental ray version. A bundle with both versions is available for $295.


Plugin Update: Texturing

Changes for v1.60 are:
- Adds additional unwrapping mode for hard surface objects
- Adds an option to automatically adjust self-illumination of baked materials
- Adds an option to force the baker to use the Max default material
- Adds MAXScript access for the bake element parameters
- Fixes distortions when the unwrap has a different aspect ratio than the rendered textures
- Fixes sub-materials getting mixed up in Multi/Sub-Object materials
- Fixes grouped objects only being partially included when baking selection sets
- Fixes texture corruption if the current layer was hidden during rendering
- Various minor fixes and performance improvements

Flatiron is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs €299. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Version 3.2 significantly changes the plugin architecture, making this version incompatible with all earlier versions of the plugin. This major step was necessary to ensure that in the future, new features and improvements can be easily added while maintaining compatibility.

If you have started a project with the previous version, then don't upgrade!

MadCar is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs €200.


Plugin Update: Texturing

Changes for v2.0.0 are:
- You can now select the resolution used for the textures (high / medium)
- New dotnet UI
- The quantity of materials has decreased, but the quality is higher
- You can install v2.0 parallel to v1.0
- Adds a lot of new materials and presets

MR Material Presets Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs €75. A gallery of the materials included can be found here.