MAX Plugins.de News Archive

Archived Plugin News  –  November 2005
 

New Plugin: Utilities

FisheyeRender is a plugin for rendering dome masters (circular fisheye images) of the scene using the current renderer. It provides an easy and quick way to create accurate equidistant projection images in Max.

This free version cannot render animations, the upcoming Pro version can do this. There is also a version for Max 4 and 5 available at the link above.


New Plugin: Renderers

This is a test at implementing a GPU renderer using a parallel programming algorithm. This algorithm requires the latest vertex and fragment profiles (VP40 and FP40), as well as support for multiple render buffers, unclamped floating point textures, and at least 256 MB of video memory. It has only been tested on an nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX, but it should also run on 6600 GT.

With this rendering method, pretty much everything can be rendered photorealistically given you have enough time and memory. Unfortunately with today's videocards this isn't possible, that is why the project has been discontinued.


Site News: Even more MR shaders...

I've just added another 21 mental ray shaders to the database, there will be more coming soon... Dave


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.04 are:
- Updated the screen picker so that it continuously updates screen pixel colors when dragged around the screen


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.03 are:
- Updates the flyout buttons to support darker color schemes
- The code base has been reorganized


Site News: More MR shaders added...

I've added another 20 mental ray shaders to the database, there will be more coming soon... Dave


New Plugin: Modelling

This version of the RPC Plugin for Max includes support for mental ray. Mental ray users can now render realistic RPC content with several features:
- Seamlessly use either scanline or mental ray rendering
- ACM (ArchVision Content Manager) provides 'floating' licenses maximizing your investment
- No new software to learn... just render with mental ray.

RPC Mental Ray Plugin is available for Max 7 and 8, and costs $219 for a single node license, $599 for a 4-node render license and $899 for an 8-node render license. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.02 are:
- Screen picker mouse icon is now always on even when the mouse leaves the Max window


Plugin Update: Modelling / Texturing

Changes for v1.002 are:
- The full version is now available
- Numerous improvements and bug-fixes

GroundWiz is available for Max 5 to 8, and costs $180. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v2.7 are:
- Quality of lip-synch can be enhanced by using text files in addition to sound files
- Movies can now be used as a reference for animating
- You can now bake a face texture from several photos
- Full featured Undo/Redo has been implemented

LifeStudio:HEAD is available for Max 4 to 8, and costs $930 (Artist version) or $1795 (Pro version). A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: Fluid Dynamics...

Take a look at the impressive animations created with FlowLine, an Ocean Dynamic and Hydro Fluid Simulation software developed by Scanline.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.01 are:
- Adds a picker that allows you to pick a colour from anywhere on your screen


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.58 are:
- Enhanced and updated to support Max 8 and Autodesk VIZ 2006

Surf-iT is available for Max 1 to 8, and costs $199.95.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.18 are:
- Dedicated support for Max 8 and Autodesk 2006
- Spline optimization is now even faster

ResErect is available for Max 3 to 8, and costs $149.


Plugin Update: Global Utilities

Changes for v0.81 are:
- Adds auto-weld functionality
- Now allows vertex-locking
- Can now operate only on selected faces of the last unwrap modifier in the stack


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v4.35 are:
- Fixes a bug which was causing the UI to freeze when loading a scene with XRefs

VR4MAX is available for Max 3 to 8, and pricing starts at €850. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Import / Export

This exporter allows you to export your Max models to the Google Earth *.KML file format. Upcoming features include:
- Screampoint will start to license its extensive library of digital buildings and cities in .kml format
- Digital content includes portions of New York City, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Hong Kong and Shanghai
- Registered users will be entitled to receive select digital building files

Google Earth Exporter is available for Max 6 and 7 (it probably works in Max 8 as well), and costs $29.99


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v4.34 are:
- Fixes an issue with the licensing system that was stopping the plugins from working

VR4MAX is available for Max 3 to 8, and pricing starts at €850. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.20 are:
- No changes, this is just a recompile for Max 8


Plugin Update: Import / Export

There are a load of changes, for a full list of improvements and bug-fixes, go here (PDF file).

VR4MAX is available for Max 3 to 8, and pricing starts at €850. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v1.3.12 are:
- New setup allowing installation for Max versions 6, 7 and 8
- Several fixes in core engine
- Improvements in mesh generation

glu3D is available for Max 6, 7 and 8, and costs $495. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.09 are:
- Adds support for Metasequoia v2.4 beta20 format

The plugin for Max 4 and 5 has also been updated, you can get it here.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.10 are:
- Support for Max 8 added
- Added network licensing
- Fixed a number of crash bugs
- Enhanced a couple of tools
- Added a Bonus Tools plugin which contains a Power Tube tool
- Added a ReApprox button to Power Sketch

Power NURBS is available for Max 4 to 8, and costs $995. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v4.32 are:
- Max 8 now loads the VR4MAX plugins
- Adds a legacy translator to support older Max/VIZ releases

For a full list of improvements and bug-fixes, go here (PDF file).

VR4MAX is available for Max 3 to 8, and pricing starts at €850. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v3.08 are:
- Fixes problem when object with GhostTrails applied was linked to a space-warp
- Fixes assorted problems and greatly improves performance in long animations
- Start/End time controls for anchored trails now respect the scene time unit
- Improves accuracy of mapping for anchored trails

Ghost Trails is available for Max 4 to 8, and costs $99. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.3.5 are:
- First version that has been tested using new accuracy tests
- Various bug-fixes

BusyRay is available for Max 5 to 8. and costs $49.95. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: MAXScript Extensions

Helium is a Schematic Framework that allows you to create Flow-chart User Interfaces within Max, via MAXscript. Consider Helium like any other MAXscript UI control, like a button or a spinner, granted a far more powerful one. Helium can even be used to create dynamic custom UIs. Each Helium node could easily be used as a button, for example. This allows you to dynamically build and alter your UIs at any time.