Changes for v1.42 are:
- Paint modes now have got a 'delay' spinner
- Paint Scatter now has a 'Normal Percent' spinner
- Paint Scatter can now apply a bend modifier to created objects
- Paint Scatter can now auto-seed existing noise modifiers while painting
- Fixes a problem with Shift-Dragging MeshAK objects

The version for Max 4 and 5 has also been updated, and can be found at the same link.

Changes for v1.4 are:
- New paint tool: Paint Scatter
- New explode options (by angle, face, poly, element, smoothing group or mat id)
- Normalize UV coordinates
- Normalize texture ID

The version for Max 4 and 5 has also been updated, and can be found at the same link.

Changes for v1.03 are:
- Added default lighting
- Reduced rendering time (about 10%)

The version for Max 4 and 5 has also been updated, you can also get it at the link above.

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

This texture plugin implements the Relief Mapping technique for use in Max off-line renderings. It deliverers a high quality per-pixel displacement mapping solution only based on texture maps (no extra geometry is generated for the displacement).

I just added another 37 shaders to the mental ray database. There are now 167 shaders in there. The new shaders are:

From Holger Schönberger:
- BA_ClampRange_Col v13.1
- BA_ClampRange_Scl v13.1
- BA_Flat v13.1
- BA_Light v13.1
- BA_Modulus_Scl v13.1
- BA_Oily_Specular v13.1
- BA_PT_Texcoord v13.1
- BA_Raylength v13.1
- BA_RGB_Shadow v13.1
- BA_Texture3D_Warp v13.1
- BA_Cell3D v13.1
- BA_Fractal4D v13.1
- BA_Visbool v13.1

From David Lanier:
- DL3D_NoiseVolume v1.0
- DL3D_Cellular Texture v1.0
- DL3D_Wireframe Texture v1.0

From Sintesys:
- Black Points v1.0
- Freckle v1.0
- Mandel v1.0
- Microstructure v1.0
- Perlin v1.0
- Show Edges v1.0
- Show Values v1.0
- Skin v1.0

From Ben Rogall:
- Parallax v0.7
- Parallax Shadow v0.7
- ZBump v0.6

From Miguel A. Santiago Jr.:
- DT3D BRDF Scatter v1.0
- DT3D Car Paint v1.0
- DT3D Skin v1.0
- DT3D Lafortune v1.0
- DT3D Single Scatter v1.0

From Stephen Gustafson:
- Output Grayscale v1.0
- Lens Grayscale v1.0

From Nanomation Ltd.:
- ns_3D v1.0

I am only adding shaders that I have managed to get working in Max, so if any of you are having trouble getting them to work, spend some time looking at this thread at CGTalk or the LAmrUG site, there is a huge amount of information in there to get you started. Dave

The Vue xStream suite of plugins for Max enables you to totally integrate your 3D projects into Vue environments. In one single render pass, Max elements can be rendered together with Vue elements, accurately matching shadows, reflections and illumination to deliver totally blended CG footage without requiring any additional effort. You can also create and edit Vue environments directly in Max with the xStream interface.

Vue 5 xStream is available for Max 7 and 8, and costs $495.

Changes for v2.07 are:
- Adds support for COLLADA 1.4

Changes for v2.55 are:
- No idea, but the version for Max 4 and 5 is no longer available

This is sample code for accessing a Radiosity mesh and baking some of the information to a new mesh.

Changes for v2.2 are:
- There are a load of critical bug-fixes, too many to list here

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

I've added some more shaders to the new mental ray database, and there are still quite a few to come. Dave

I've changed the site around a bit and added a database for mental ray shaders. It was getting a bit chaotic having all of the shaders in the other plugin databases, so I think this might be a bit easier to search and browse. Dave

Changes for v1.02 are:
- Fixes minor bugs with the Camera combo box

Changes for v3.6.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 8

Changes for v1.0 are:
- The script component needed a tweak for some R8 changes

PasteVertexBuffer is available for Max 5 to 8, and costs $10.

Changes for v1.3.9 are:
- Additional 'Only Direct' rendering mode - GI is switched off
- Implements caching of ray tracing data structures (changes to light sources, cameras or materials do not require rebuild)
- Many bug-fixes

BusyRay is available for Max 5 to 8, and costs $49.95 for a 1-year license. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v4.6.61.0 are:
- Fixes a problem with vertex colour alpha channels
- Animation settings are now stored and reloaded via XML
- Configuration file found in the plugcfg folder now contains all settings in XML

I just added another 30 mr shaders to the database. More will be coming soon... Dave

cebas Computer GmbH have posted the SIGGRAPH 2005 ThinkingParticles 2.5 demos, showing a few of the prominent features of the upcoming update.

Changes for v4.8.61.0 are:
- This is a recompile for Max 8
- Fixes a problem with vertex colour alpha channels
- Animation settings are now stored and reloaded via XML
- Configuration file found in the plugcfg folder now contains all settings in XML
- Name has been changed for Max 8

Changes for v1.01 are:
- Fixes a problem when rendering with mental ray

The version for Max 4 and 5 has also been updated, you can also get it at the link above.

greenworks organic software have uploaded a new alpha version of their XFrog plugin for Max. You can download it at the XFrog for Max forum.