nPower Software have released a beta version of their upcoming Power NURBS plugin. The Power NURBS beta has a 90 day trial period and is fully functional (nothing is disabled). You can download the beta version here.

MMTrack for Max is a brand new tracking product which draws on the power and speed of MatchMover Pro 4 'powered by SMART'. The plugin fits seamlessly into the workflow of the Max user, and combines new-generation automatic tracking technology with an unbeatable range of features, enabling users to access this world-class product at the simple click of a button.

REALVIZ MMTrack is available for Max 6 and 7, and costs $790.

Lifemode Interactive, Ltd. have announced the upcoming release of a new version of their LifeStudio:HEAD plugin. New features include improved lip-synch by combining text and sound files, video files as frame by frame reference, texture baking and a full-featured Undo/Redo.

Changes for v3.0 are:
- Increased realism
- Enhanced animation features
- Additional model optimizations
- Nursery increased from 150 to 300 species

natFX is available for Max 6 and 7, and costs $1350 (including 10 seeds). A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.03 are:
- New installation
- Keyboard accelerator to toggle between Paint and Erase modes
- Manual updated

Object Planter is available for Max 5, 6 and 7, and costs $10. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v4.24 are:
- Now also supports ArchVision RPC plugins v3.9 and v3.10
- Model now loads much faster in Navigator Pro after exporting
- Random Action and Random Event now have their own icon
- Random Action now located under Behavior Actions
- HUD objects can now be allowed to blink
- Some changes to the licensing system
- Improvements in Navigator Pro and VR4MAX Extreme

A full list of bug-fixes and improvements can be found here.

VR4MAX is available for Max 3 to 7, and pricing starts at €850. A demo version is available here.

Next Limit have updated some of the plugins needed to use RealFlow together with Max.

Changes for v1.3 are:
- Deform Mode added
- Fixed bug with UV mapping
- Fixed crash with modifiers applied above LandscapeToolsMod
- Brush Spacing option added for Smooth mode
- Invert Mouse option added
- Minor bug fixes

Landscape Tools is available for Max 5, 6 and 7, and costs $30. A demo version is available here.

Next Limit are looking for plugin programmers who want to collaborate on plugin development for their Maxwell renderer. If you are interested, send your details to jobs@nextlimit.com.

Changes for v6.63 are:
- Fixes a problem loading the plugin in Max

Polygon Cruncher is available for Max 4 to 7, and costs $109. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v8.2 are:
- Adds an option for creating stereo images
- Fixes a 3D import bug
- Status bar shortcut keys now activated
- Read/save bitmap library upgraded
- Simplified 2D rotate access
- Crop options improved
- Screen capture now more ergonomic

3D Photo Browser for 3D Users is available for Max 4 to 7, and costs $39. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.12 are:
- fixes a problem exporting Character Studio animations
- fixes a bug where imported parameters were not applied to animation

Changes for v1.02 are:
- fixes a problem exporting Character Studio animations

On July 12 2000, this site went online for the first time. It has grown a lot in the last five years, and I would like to thank everyone that sends me news about plugin updates and new releases. I'm looking forward to the next 5 years... Dave

Changes for v1.3 are:
- New installation
- Spatialization enhancements
- 'Looped' playback option added
- Max Actions added
- Manual updated

Sound Ray is available for Max 5, 6 and 7, and costs $15. A demo version is available here.

This is a modified version of the shipping Blob Mesh object that treats SDeflectors differently to other objects - using their radius as the size of the metaball. This gives you greater control if you require metaball modeling.

There is no change to sDeflector, it just makes BlobMesh treat them differently by using the sDeflector radius as the metaball size instead of the BlobMesh's Size value. This can be useful for making rock formations and the like.

Bionatics are gearing up for the imminent release of natFX 3.0 for Max. They have already posted a 30-day evaluation version, which you can find here.

Changes for v1.2.2a beta are:
- HDR format can be imported in the viewer, and converted to MXI
- New -bitmap:0 option renders without bitmaps
- Sampling level is now shown as a decimal number
- Fixed -bitmap:path command line option
- Fixed pixel artefacts
- Polygonal diaphragm is enabled
- Fixed black lines at the edge of the image
- Fixed crash when 'stop render' is pressed
- Improved bump mapping
- Improved memory management
- Fixes a crash when using a polygonal diaphragm camera
- Other minor bugs fixed

Maxwell is in beta-testing. Beta version 1.2.2a is available to those who have pre-ordered the final version.

Changes for v4.23 are:
- Improved memory management resulting in faster export times
- Video Capture Map is not exported to the VMX model
- Fixed height setting in Settings
- Fixes a memory leak when exporting particle systems

A full list of improvements and bugfixes can be found here.

VR4MAX is available for Max 3 to 7, and pricing starts at €850. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.2.3 are:
- Bump mapping is fully supported
- Self illumination attribute is supported
- Network rendering of animations is supported

Changes for v1.2 are:
- User interface changes
- Minor rendering enhancements
- MAXScript support added
- Minor changes in 'Sound Files Path Editor' utility
- Manual updated

Sound Ray is available for Max 5, 6 and 7, and costs $10. A demo version is available here.

Coolpicker was originally written by Daniel Rind, and has been updated by Chris Johnson. It now works for Max 6 & 7, and supports floating point colors spaces.

Changes for v7.09 are:
- Patch to pasteBitmap
- Added alphaMultiplier: to pasteBitmap
- Added viewport.getViewportDib()
- Added timeDisplayMode

I've just got back, and I will start updating the site tomorrow. Dave