Adam Wierzchowski has recompiled his freeware plugins (Spherical Correction v1.0, Flat Colors v1.0, Custom Filter v1.0, EdgyBend v1.0 and DeFocus v1.2) for Max 2010, both 32-bit and 64-bit.

DeFocus has not only been recompiled, it has also been updated to be fully multithreaded and use all available cores.

Changes for v1.7 are:
- 'Global monitoring mode' now works on Vista/Windows7
- Adds support for Max 2010 Design (32-bit only)
- Adds better support for DirectX 8 applications
- Adds better support for VS3.0 ('whole mesh is planar' fix)
- Vertex and pixel shaders disassembly is saved properly for DirectX 8 apps
- Better FOV determination
- Adds support for Direct3D9Ex
- Better interception (LoadLibraryEx)
- Minor bugfixes

Cyber Radiance have announced that the demo version of Hair Farm will be available for download on November 30th. The demo version is intended for evaluation purposes only; therefore, save, load, export, and related functionalities will be disabled or limited. However, it will include example files and it will give you a chance to experience first hand the revolutionary tools of Hair Farm.

Changes for Build 1724 are:
- Bugfixes

A new facial animation plugin for Max 2009 and 2010 called Face Engine has been revealed in a post at The Area. It can capture facial animation from video using markers, which the software then translates onto your mesh in Max. Apparently the plugin has even been tested using a standard webcam, so there is no need for expensive equipment.

The post contains a couple of links to video demos, and if you need more information please post it over at The Area. At the moment there is no information on pricing, but I'm sure that will be made known soon.

Cebas have finally released finalRender Stage-1 R3.0 to the general public. There are too many new and improved features to list here, but the press release at Cebas contains everything you need to know.

New with this release is that there are now 2 versions available: the Standard Edition and the Studio Edition. The Studio Edition offers a number of additional features over the Standard edition, including all of the finalShaders, Pyrocluster (without the mental ray shaders), the fr-Ocean object and shader, the fr-VolumeSolid shader, extra Render Elements, advanced Render Element Passes functionality and enhanced Object Properties.

finalRender Stage-1 is available for Max 2008 to 2010 and costs €995 for the Standard Edition and €1295 for the Studio Edition. Updates from R2.0 cost €395 for the Standard Edition and €495 for the Studio Edition.

Changes for v1.3 are:
- Adds 41 new Leather material presets
- Fixes some material presets settings

V-Ray Material Presets Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2010 and costs €100.

Changes for Build 1722 are:
- Bugfixes

Changes for v1.23 are:
- Minor bugfixes

Studio Clouds is available for Max 2009 and 2010, and costs €1800. A demo version is available here.

Pixelux Entertainment have started open beta-testing of their upcoming DMM Plugin for Max.

DMM (Digital Molecular Matter) is a technology to simulate 'material physics', or the dynamic behavior of objects made of realistic materials. DMM handles soft-body, plastically deforming (e.g. bending metal) and breakable objects all within the same system.

The beta period is expected to last approximately 2 months. After that, a final build will be posted and the beta builds will no longer work. If the pricing of the Maya version is anything to go by, it will cost around $599.

Changes for Build 1721 are:
- Bugfixes

Changes for v12.00.07 are:
- Adds support for Max 2010 (32-bit and 64-bit)

The 3DYK Team have released their formerly commercial plugin 3DYK Paint as freeware, allowing you to have something similar to Mayas Paint Effects in Max. It contains a large library of objects and the tools necessary to easily add them to your scene. It works with the scanline renderer, mental ray and V-Ray, rendering fast as well as allowing fast viewing in the viewport. It includes objects that can follow active cameras and animated objects, all of the materials are editable, and the objects it creates are also editable.

The plugin was released a week or so ago, but it didn't work. There is now a fix available at the website to make it work as planned.

Changes for v2.1.4 are:
- Adds support for cylinders and capsules as bounding volumes for objects of 'External' type
- Adds 'application' value to exported scene files
- Adds logic for message display if there's an error initializing the graphics system
- Renamed 'Fast Export' in the scene / object settings dialogs to 'Remove Duplicate Vertices'
- Modified the 'Supported Light Type' controls on OgreMax Pass page of the material editor
- Modified the pass shininess limit to 255
- Fixes a bug where the iteration / light type of an OgreMax Pass was exported incorrectly
- Fixes a bug with 'Convert to OgreMax Material' utility that crashed Max 2010

Changes for v2.5.44 are:
- Fixes issues with installation for users without administrative privileges
- Same changes for report in Batch mode

FilePathFinder Pro is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs $25. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v0.18.21 are:
- Adds support for Max 2010 (32-bit only)

Changes for v1.2.5 are:
- Name attributes of elements are now set to the original material name
- Adds export of bind vertex input
- Fixes a crash if a DAE file contains more than one UV set
- Adds a standalone COLLADA to Maya converter (dae2ma)
- Updates COLLADAValidator binaries
- Fixes a crash on morph target export

Changes for v1.0.438 include:
- Fixes image decompression and mipmap generation to handle huge image files
- Minor fix to mi_instance_lightlist
- Adds ability to specify worker priority via command line
- Fixes mi_query mode miQ_GROUP_KID
- Fixes auto-detection of Max 2010 rendering profile
- Fixes mi_sample_light to support light_instances that are groups of lights

Rendition is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs $395. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.21 are:
- I've got no idea, if I find out I'll post it here

Studio Clouds is available for Max 2009 and 2010, and costs €1800. A demo version is available here.

Changes for Build 1720 are:
- Bugfixes

Changes for v3.16.13 are:
- Fixes a problem importing OBJ meshes exported from Zbrush 3.5/Polypaint
- The examples are no longer in the main installer, they're now available separately

Changes for v6.5 are:
- Adds support for Max 2010 (32-bit only)

Changes for v2.5.42 are:
- Adds 'Show in Viewport' function
- Adds shortcut 'Resolve All Files with Status #Found' by F3-key
- Adds shortcut 'Set Path' by F6-key
- Adds dynamic display to the 'External Files' list when inputting a mask
- Fixes issues with container files in Max 2010 without 'Deep Relink' function

FilePathFinder Pro is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs $25. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.2.10 beta are:
- Improved performance creating items at render time
- Fixes a memory error handling more than 5 million items
- Fixes a surface align problem when facing to camera was enabled
- Surface->Auto-update can now be enabled in Custom Edit mode
- Fixes gamma correction when creating thumbnails in Library Browser importer
- Fixes viewport color issues in wireframe mode when object is selected

Forest Pack Pro is available for Max 7 to 2010 and normally costs €250. For a limited time it is on sale for €200. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.16.12 are:
- You can now specify background colors independently for each map type
- Improved the sampling quality of AO, bent normals and radiosity normal maps
- Adds an option to AO rendering to skip backface hits
- Improved the compatibility with Windows 7
- The xNormal installer now includes a x264 VFW codec
- Fixes a problem saving some color values to the XML settings files
- Fixes a bug where Simple AO's background color was ignored if you enable edge padding
- Fixes a bug in the DX10 graphics driver that was causing text to disappear
- Fixes a problem rendering direction maps with hxGrid
- Fixes a bug calling the Simple AO Generator from the command line
- Changed the lowpoly/highpoly 'Clear all' button's font color
- Fixes a problem importing normals in the Max importer
- Recompiled using the lastest libraries

Changes for v1.23 are:
- Adds support for Max 2010 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds full support for Windows Vista and Windows 7
- Fixes an installation problem in Max Design

CityTraffic is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs €360. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.5.7 are:
- Adds full support for V-Ray v1.5 SP4
- Fixes incorrect transformations if hundreds of proxies are distributed by one big polygon
- Random transformations now work when scattering one proxy by polygon

VRayScatter is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs €200 for a workstation license. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v6.0.1.6053 are:
- The list is too long to post, click here for the changelog

Deep Exploration CAD Edition is available for Max 4 to 2009 and costs $1995. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v9.3 are:
- Adds support for CINEMA4D R11.5
- Various minor fixes and tweaks

Craft Director Studio is available for Max 7 to 2010 and prices range from $99 to $1199. A demo version is available here.

Changes for Build 20091106 are:
- Fixes some minor problems with the Cinema4D exporter

Changes for SP1 are:
- Fixes bugs related to work on 64-bit platforms
- Fixes a few minor bugs

GrowFX is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs $325. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v5.2010.68.0 are:
- Fixes a crash bug when exporting multiple animation sequences in Max 2010

The InsertShape plugin is similar to the shipping ShapeMerge in Max, but on steroids! Due to it's use of Delaunay triangulation, you get much cleaner and more predictable results. You can also do local projections, a unique and very helpful feature.

InsertShape is available for Max 2008 to 2010 and costs $40. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.8.28.0 are:
- PS3 Library now built with the S/N Systems compiler rather than GCC
- Improved the GrannyFindKnot class of functions
- Zelda support added
- Adds support for the 64-bit versions of XSI 7.5 and 2010
- Fixes a severe error in the material exporter
- Adds a list of linked lights to granny_mesh::ExtendedData on export
- The original transform node for a mesh is now specified to granny_mesh::ExtendedData
- The exporter now pops a custom dialog on memory exhaustion
- New preprocessor sample: 'RemoveUnboundTransformTracks'
- Fixes a page-flipping problem that manifested on Windows 7

Granny Exporter is available for Max 6 to 2010, and is part of the Granny Toolkit which costs $12500.

Changes for Build 20091103 are:
- Fixes a small bug with exporting morph animations

Changes for v8.0 are:
- The Vue Terrain Editor is vastly improved, adding 3D sculpting features
- You can now locally sculpt features on finite and infinite procedural terrains
- Automatic localized subdivision
- You can now sculpt terrains in context
- Displacement can now be manipulated independently of the bump channel
- Displacement can be adjusted to move in any user defined direction
- Adds support for the use of RGB normal maps to drive the bump channel
- High frequency artifacts can now be removed from displacement using displacement smoothing
- Spectral 3 atmospheres extend the realism of clouds and atmospheres
- Adds new Recursive Strata Terrain fractals
- Rigged and pre-animated mesh objects can now be re-posed and animated in Vue
- Improved Open GL engine and viewport display
- Dynamic EcoSystems can now be seen in previews
- The Global Ecosystem is now available as a proxy object in the World Browser
- Adds direct access to the alpha channel from the material editor
- When saving an image, format options are now accessible via a button
- Material-specific control of anti-aliasing and sub-ray quality parameters
- Improved object drop accuracy
- Adds a Python node to the function graph for creating user programmable functions
- New planetary mapping node with ability to set the location of origin
- New reference system for better control of parent-child object relationships
- Default to ease-in ease-out for orientation keyframes
- Adds adjustable separator in animation timeline window
- Adds a material preview terrain option
- Name of loaded atmosphere now appears on Atmosphere Editor caption
- Name of edited function added to Function Editor caption
- Massive improvements in rendering architecture and memory handling
- New faster displacement engine
- Adds a dual destination render option
- When rendering to disk, image can be saved at user defined intervals
- Adds the ability to generate a detailed log file for network renders
- Vue features are now directly accessible within the host application
- Most Vue dialogs are now non-modal
- Adds support for V-Ray in Max and Maya
- You can now adjust Vue and native lights independently
- Shadow density is now automatically matched to that of the host application
- Adds manual control of Vue's radiosity brightness
- Render settings of the host application can be automatically adjusted to match the Vue settings
- Direct access to the sea level via xStream interface
- Improved previewing of procedural terrains in host application
- Adds support for 32-bit floating point EXR image format
- Improved object exports, particularly with Solidgrowth vegetation
- Adds support for Poser 8 (standalone mode)

Vue 8 xStream is available for Max 7 to 2010 and costs $1495. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.2 are:
- Interface code has been completely rewritten
- 'Affect Shadow' parameter in Glass and Liquid materials is now ON by default
- Fixes map path for some materials
- Adds settings to save dialog position
- Loads the last dialog position

V-Ray Material Presets Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2010 and costs €100.

BonesPro Proxy is a freely available replacement plugin for the real BonesPro modifier. It allows anyone to work with scenes that use BonesPro without having to license it. It also makes rendering of BonesPro scenes on your render farm easier.

Amera S2DIO is a scripted utility that creates cameras that can be used to render orthographic images in scale. It has been designed to calculate render resolution based on the user's choice of scale and the selected viewpoint.

Features include:
- Paper preset manager
- Landscape/Portrait orientation
- Adjustable image resolution (DPI)
- Different views (front, left, top, etc.)
- Adjustable Scale

Amera S2DIO is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs $50.

Changes for v6.10 are:
- Adds support for the latest nPower releases

Changes for v1.4.4 are:
- Fixes the missing scripting interface
- Fixes settings sometimes not loading

Some of you probably remember BonesPro from a long time ago. Now 3d-io, makers of the very useful plugins Unwrella, UV-Packer and Flatiron, have cooperated with Digimation to resurrect and improve the popular skinning plugin.

Key features of BonesPro include:
- Fast results through a quick assignment set-up and convenient adjustment options
- Meshes deform like elastic skin and avoid face clipping
- Quality skinning doesn't tear vertices too far apart from each other
- Hypodermic deformer objects handle the most problematic areas in an animated mesh with ease
- API access allows integration into existing pipelines
- Teams can collaborate on scenes without having to supply everyone with licenses
- BonesPro is not only for skinning, but can also be used for many specialized effects

3d-io have also prepared a load of training videos to get you up to speed, as well as offering upgrades for registered users of the original BonesPro plugin.

BonesPro is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs €299. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v6.0.1.6045 are:
- Adds a snap setting for the cross-section tool in the Tool Assistant
- Callouts can now choose to display metatdata
- New comparison setting for replacing files: 'Replace with Arbitrary other'
- Cinema 4D is now supported up to v11.5
- Adds support for Maya 2010
- Improved DWF support

Deep Exploration CAD Edition is available for Max 5 to 2010 and costs $2995. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.0.47 are:
- Fixes some issues with Duma network manager
- Fixes an installation problem in Max 9
- Fixes issues with RenderElements output folder in 'Custom path' mode
- Adds separate settings for Render Elements and Split Render Channels

VrayMultiStageRender is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs $10. A demo version is available here.

As soon as work allows, I'm going to be making some changes to the site so that I can put in a leaderboard banner at the top of the page. The changes have got to be made to the backend of the site to enable statistics for the banner.

If you would be interested in advertising here, just drop me a line at the email address above.