RSS News Items
Tuesday 05 December 2023 - 16:59
01.12.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Modelling
Changes for v1.0.47 are:
- Adds aupport for Cinema 4D 2024
- Fixes a bug affecting the Plant Library Browser in SketchUp 2018 and earlier
- Small bug fixes and improvements for 3ds Max, SketchUp, and Cinema 4D
Laubwerk Plants Kits are available for Max 2015 to 2024 and cost €149 (1 - 17) / €119 (18 - 21) each. A demo version is available here.
01.12.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Utilities
Changes for v1.2.1 are:
- Adds a Polish translation
- The default Min. Render Time is now 0 instead of 60, because this parameter was misleading to users
Telegram Notifications is available for Max 2012 to Max 2024 and costs $5. A demo version is available here.
01.12.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Utilities
Changes for v2.0 include:
- Adds a heavily improved movement system
- Adds AI-powered CPU/GPU image super-resolution
- Adds ambient sound and music for immersive experiences
- Adds gyroscope support for enhanced mobile device interaction
- Hotspots now can function as teleportation points for easy navigation
- Hotspots can now link to other Layama projects, enhancing connectivity
- Adds support for spherical coordinates input files
- Adds an option to enable or disable the instructions bar for a tailored user interface
- Improves geometric quality for more detailed visuals
- Improves the local web browser
- Adds better support for High DPI screens
- Adds accelerated intercache calculation for faster processing
- Multiple web viewer improvements for an enhanced user experience
- Exposes an API for tracking visitor movements, offering valuable analytics
- Exposes an API for monitoring visitor interactions with hotspots
- Exposes an API allowing teleportation of users to different cameras
- Tooltips now offer more detailed help, improving user guidance and understanding
- Adds support up to Max 2024
- Adds support up to Unreal v5.3
- Adds Unreal integration with Movie Render Queue for advanced rendering options
- Adds High-Quality Pathtracing support in Unreal for realistic rendering
MOTIVA Layama is available for Max 2014 to Max 2024 and costs €180. A demo version is available here.
22.11.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Renderers
Changes for v1.5.50 are:
- Adds a Linux version of the stand-alone renderer
- Updates external libraries to the latest versions
- Updates the Intel denoiser to the latest version
- Adds new StateMask material and integrates system of scene states
- Adds Dali FrontBack texmap
- Updates retro-reflection mathematics for all materials
- Fixes motion blur rendering with time window outside the frame
- Fixes faked shadows not rendered
- Fixes wrong illumination of thin materials
- Fixes wrong rendering of coated thin dielectric
- Fixes wrong emission in volumes
- Fixes volumes not illuminated by geometrical emitters and other volumes
- Fixes a lot of minor bugs
Dali Renderer is available for Max 2018 to Max 2024 and costs $150 per year. A demo version is available here.
22.11.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Miscellaneous
Changes for v1.6.5.0 are:
- Enhanced file relocate capability
- Adds support for archives larger than 4GB
Batch Relink is available for Max 2010 to Max 2024 and costs $22.40. A demo version is available here.
18.11.2023 - R6 to R2024
Plugin Update: Import / Export
MD3 Exporter v2.4 from Pop'N'Fresh / Michael Lawler
Changes for v2.4 are:
- Adds support for Max 2021 - 2024
- Resolves Function Publishing compilation errors for Max 6
- Updates code to use Scooper's method to get vertex normals and texture coordinates
- Fixes support for allowing helpers (Dummy / Point Helpers, and Bones) to be used as tags
- Fixes vertex indices ordering for triangles (so mesh faces are not flipped incorrectly)
- Adds a checkbox option to the export dialog for disabling tag scaling
- Adds code to check for bad UV mapping on geometry surfaces
- Improves error handling when the exporter fails to open a file for writing
- Fixes a potential issue of improper LOD filenames (for embedded LODs)
- Modifies internal file naming behavior
- Various wording changes in the export options dialog
- The material slot name now has precedence over 'smart paths' and warns if both should fail
18.11.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Import / Export
Verge3D v4.5 from Soft8Soft
Changes for v4.5 include:
- Adds options to customise the look and feel of many properties of an application
- Adds a new puzzle for boolean operations on input objects (union, subtract, intersect)
- Adds a new 'style constructor' puzzle which simplifies assigning CSS rules to HTML elements
- The bloom effect has been reworked to improve it in many ways
- Adds a new educational demo called 'Swiss Army Knife'
- Adds a new 'Scroll Animation' demo to show how page scrolling interaction in a 3D scene
- You can now use all params from the Lightness/Advanced settings of the Color Correction map
- Rotational animation of cameras and lights now properly works with Verge3D
- Introduces a new more flexible 'drag move' puzzle (the old one is deprecated but still works)
- Revamps the 'drag rotate' puzzle to properly determine the pivot point and work in world space
- Adds options to the 'get/set prop' puzzle to restrict input fields
- Adds missing loop and muted properties to the 'get prop' puzzle for consistency with 'set prop'
- Adds a new 'page name' option to the 'get URL data' puzzle
- Adds options to the 'event' and 'get event property' puzzles to handle incoming messages
- Adds a right-click option to the 'add HTML elem' puzzle
- Adds the CSS property float to the set style puzzle
- The puzzle 'clone object' can now be inserted into all puzzles accepting objects
- The recently introduced 'close app' puzzle now works inside iframes
- Simplifies and updates some entries in the Puzzles library
- Removes the map range group from the library
- On the first start of the App Manager, you can now specify an empty folder for your applications
- Various styling changes in the App Manager
- The default WebGL error message has been redesigned and is now customisable
- The update procedure for applications has been refined
- The default application templates have been cleaned up by removing unused code lines
- Updates the demo glTF compat by adding buttons for exporting to glTF and USDZ formats
- Fit to Camera Edge / Fit Offset parameter now works properly for objects with zero size
- ESM shadows now render faster thanks to some optimizations in their shader code
- Removes the legacy EquiCube class
- Refactors and optimizes the GraphUtils module the engine uses to process material node trees
- Removes more legacy Python 2 code from the exporter script (there is still some old code left)
- The CSS code used internally by the engine has been refactored
- Scene export now ignores clipping planes if they are present
- Removes obsolete files from the media folders of all demo applications
- Fixes a regression in the WordPress plugin so that it now properly works the load data puzzle
- Improves the template for creating mobile apps and updated docs on mobile app development
- Updates numerous sections of the User Manual
Verge3D is available for Max 2021 to 2024 and costs $290. A demo version is available here.
18.11.2023 - Commercial
New Plugin: Animation
This commercial MAXScript animates wheels on vehicles based on a path constraint / motion. It simulates wheels, steering, spins, as well as rear weight drift.
PathWheels is available for Max 2018 to 2024 and costs R$50 (roughly $12.50).
18.10.2023 - Commercial
New Plugin: Modelling
Smart Extrude is a new modifier that ensures the predictable extrusion of multi-spline shapes, depending on their placement across diverse planes or orientations at varying angles. Smart Extrude also simplifies the ability to add depth to shapes created with the Spline Flow plugin. Moreover, Smart Extrude adds the capability to tune the extrusion angle and extrude from the center on both sides of the spline.
Smart Extrude is available for Max 2017 to 2024 and costs $10.
18.10.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Renderers
Changes for v2023.1 - 14.03 are:
- Fixes the gradient texture UI
- Fixes the volume gradient Reset button
- Fixes the 'layer group' layer order in the composite texture
- Fixes 'Any Plugin Texmap' mode from allowing you to select the incorrect Octane texture type
OctaneRender is available for Max 2013 to 2024 and costs €240 per year. A demo version is available here.
18.10.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Texturing
Changes for v1.2.0.0 are:
- You can now load the library directly from the plugin interface
- The size of the installation file is now about 50 MB
- Installation is now via EXE, no more unnecessary archives
- Libraries can now auto-update inside the plugin
- Adds numbering of tiles in the slicer (debug)
- Adds a new way to import a Polygonal pattern
- Fixes a bug with the node interface freezing in Max 2024
- Minor fixes and stability improvements
QuickTiles is available for Max 2018 to 2024 and costs $60 per year. A demo version is available here.
04.10.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Atmospherics / Animation
Changes for v6.1.1 are:
- Adds a Quick Presets menu for faster voxel grid creation and loading, object conversion and more
- Improves disk and memory cache sizes resulting in smaller files sizes and lower memory consumption
- Adds memory caching support for points display type within the Grid Display node
- Adds a 'Create Position Helper' button to the Initialize Grid and Load Grid nodes
- ISurf node adds a Grid input pin to directly mesh FumeFX smoke, fire or temperature channels
- The Import Shape node adds an option to import an object's spin
- Adds a Get Grid node so that users can pass Voxel Grid to other grid related nodes
- Spline Force node adds a Grid input pin to apply spline force a lot faster to the entire Voxel Grid
- Spline Force adds a Blend mode for velocities
- Spline Force adds an option to use NodeWorks splines and not just Max splines
- Spline Force node adds RegEx for fast, flexible selection of multiple splines with similar naming
- FumeFX Force, Max Forces and Perlin Noise nodes now have a Grid input pin
- Adds smarter auto connection of position and velocity pins to the Write Voxel node
- The Spline Gen node adds min / max distance and particle count for Spacing and Knots mode
- The Display Grid node adds display of currently drawn grid dimensions and grid spacing
- Gen on Surface node has been renamed to Surface Gen and Voxelized Gen to Voxel Gen
- The Display Grid Volume mode no longer has the wrong display when using grid TM
- Change of NodeWorks PhysX settings or Simulation settings now invalidates the memory cache
- Various Memory Cache bug fixes and improvements
- Fixes nodes using FumeFX Simulation Ref node from not having velocities applied correctly
- Fixes the Display Grid node not displaying points and vectors when NodeWorks icon is out of view
- The Display Grid node no longer displays extra box in the scene
- In the Spline Gen node, you no longer have to select splines twice in order to show up
- Spline Force now works properly if falloff is used and input position falls beyond the last knot
- Import Particle System now gets proper particle age from pflow and tyflow
- Fixes a Part Loader crash when loading .nxd caches
- Fixes a bug with changing connected pin types which should be disabled
- Rendering splines as Arnold curves with motion blur now works properly
- FumeFX PostSim MAXScript function is now called after the simulation has ended
FumeFX is available for Max 2019 to 2024 and costs $365 per year. A demo version is available here.
04.10.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Texturing
Changes for v3.2o are:
- Adds new function - layout UV by material ID in UDIMs
- Fixes checker material errors in some edge cases
- Removes 'Break with offset by ID' and replaces it with 'UDIM Layout by ID'
UV Tools is available for Max 2013 to 2024 and costs $22.
04.10.2023 - R2021 to R2024
Plugin Update: Global Utilities
Changes for v0.6.0 are:
- Adds support for Maya 2024
- Adds support for Max 2024
- Maya backend - fixes add missing bones
- Maya backend - fixes get skin data returning garbage
- Maya backend now handles SkinData with varying influence size, order and values
- Maya backend now adds missing bones
- Max backend - fixes a number of edge case crashes
- Adds initial io between Max and Maya
09.09.2023 - Commercial
New Plugin: Utilities
MaxFlow v1.0 from TRViz
MaxFlow is a revolutionary approach to scene data management that allows you to effortlessly control scene states using a node-based system, freely combine settings, and achieve one-click scene state switching. It extends the capabilities of Max and supports rendering engines like V-Ray and Corona.
Its node-based interface empowers you to manipulate scene data visually, providing a visual and user-friendly solution. You can switch states at any time to experiment with different lighting, compositions, and showcase superior design outcomes. MaxFlow has a state recording feature which enables the same Max file to accommodate multiple lighting and rendering setups. With batch rendering, you can render and save these settings with a single click.
MaxFlow is available for Max 2022 to 2024 and costs $62. A demo version is available here.
09.09.2023 - R2020 to R2024
Plugin Update: Import / Export
Changes for v0.7.0 are:
- Updated to use the 0.7.0 codebase of the IfcOpenshell opensource framework
The previous plugins using the 0.6.0 version of the framework are still available here for Max 2015 to 2023
09.09.2023 - Commercial
New Plugin: Modelling
MaxCutouts v1.0 from Wuan Hyu
MaxCutouts is a commercial MAXScript that is efficient in automatically adding simple 2D PNG images to your Max scene. It can be used to quickly populate your scene with people, for example. With this script, you can render fast previews and final images with correct shadows in one render without compositing all individual elements later.
MaxCutouts is available for Max 2018 to 2024 and costs $10.
17.08.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Utilities
Changes for v3.23.05 are:
- Introduces a new caching system for preview images so more assets can be displayed in Listview
- Optimizes the display of large numbers of assets in Listview
- Adds the ability to specify custom directories for preview searches
- Adds a few shortcut buttons to the panel on the Asset Tracking tab
- Adds the ability to cache assets to the database
- Introduces a caching system to accelerate asset search
- Some improvements to filtering textures by directory
- Rewrites the caching system for use with SQLite database to improve speed and stability
- Adds options to pause interactive rendering when merging models or assigning material/texture/ies
- Adds support for MariaDB version 10.8
- Provides the ability to show a map in the viewport for scene-materials
- Speeds up mass-rename/move operations for assets
- Decreases memory usage
- Provides additional options to optimize the database
- Resolves a bug related to drag and drop of textures and materials with Corona 10
- Adresses issues with database optimization
- Fixes an issue with colorizing subdirectories
- Fixes a bug that occurred on some computers during asset relinking
- Resolves a bug in version 3.21.02 when the database cache was enabled in SQLite mode
- Extremely speeds up the conversion of paths to local/network in the database
- Fixes an issue with optimizing the database with the option to remove missing files and directories
- Fixes an issue with exporting models from a scene
- Fixes an issue with exporting models from a scene with Vrscan files
- Fixes a crash during interactive rendering of materials
- Fixes an issue with artifacts during the interactive rendering of materials
- Fixes a crash during interactive rendering of Substance Shaders
- Fixes an issue with creating PBR Material when files have similar names
- Fixes an issue with storing settings for hidden directories
- Fixes a memory leak when trying to render unsupported or corrupted FBX files interactively
- Fixes some issues with interactive rendering of some 3D file formats
- Fixes an issue with converting some images to greyscale
- Fixes an issue with converting some images to other formats
- Fixes minor issues with relinking material libraries
- Fixes an issue with destroying a layer hierarchy when merging models
- Fixes an issue with the dialog 'Object Place&Paint' in versions 3.19.08-3.20.08
- Fixes a minor issue with relinking relative paths when merging models and materials
- Fixes an issue with network relative paths on the Asset Tracking tab
- Fixes an issue with installation on some systems
- Fixes a minor issue with the option 'Open with associated application'
Project Manager is available for Max 2016 to 2024 and costs $60. A demo version is available here.
17.08.2023 - Commercial
New Plugin: Utilities
This commercial MAXScript helps you quickly explore, locate and import 3D assets directly into Max. It can load any folder accessible on your machine and will find all materials, HDRI's, models and Max files inside. It will then group, organize and display these files as assets, recognizing previews, LODs, mapping channels, resolutions and other important information automatically.
It simplifies the importing and merging process for 3D models, Max files, material creation and HDRI environment maps by allowing you to directly browse, filter and drag all of your 3D assets from sources like MegaScans, PolyHaven, gameTextures, Poliigon, Arroway, etc. into the Max viewport or material editor.
It can import .max, .fbx, .obj, .3ds, .abc model and scene files, and supports Arnold, V-Ray, Corona, Octane, Redshift, Fstorm, Physical, PBR and Standard renderers.
Content Browser is available for Max 2021 to 2024 and costs $30.
17.08.2023 - Commercial
Plugin Update: Modelling
Changes for v1.1.0.1 are:
- Fixes the version for Max 2018 - 2022
- Simplifies import of polygonal patterns
- Fixes tile edge distortion
- Adds a new Orient tool mode - Ctrl+Shift+Click - vertex orientation
- Minor fixes and accelerations
QuickTiles is available for Max 2018 to 2024 and costs $60 per year. A demo version is available here.