MAX Plugins.de News Archive

Archived Plugin News  –  January 2007
 

New Plugin: Import / Export

Allows Max users to directly import .QDM files, the export format used by QUIDAM, a program for creating and modelling 3D characters. The plugin imports the model, texturing, bones and skinning, and doesn't need Character Studio installed.

QUIDAM to 3ds Max is available for Max 5 to 9 and costs €89.70.


Plugin Update: Modelling / Animation

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit and 64-bit)

StairMAX is available for Max 4 to 9 and costs $150.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v1.32 are:
- Fixes 'Distance' updates from spamming listener
- Adds muscle 'Bias' to move the bulge of the muscle to one side of the muscle

Skin FX is available for Max 6 to 9 and costs $189. A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: Illustrate! for Max 9

David Gould has announced the start of beta-testing for Illustrate! v5.4 for Max 9. If you are interested in taking part, vou will need to register here.

New features for v5.4 include:
- Designed for complete compatibility with Max 9
- Improved speed and accuracy of hidden line calculations
- Export and import of Illustrate Artistic Libraries now functions correctly
- Fixes a bug when cloning Styles
- Resolves issue with users needing administration privileges to authorize the plugin
- Several outstanding issues resolved


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.7.0.14 are:
- Too many to list, the whole change-log can be found here

Granny Exporter is available for Max 5 to 9, and is part of the Granny Toolkit which costs $12500.


New Plugin: MAXScript Extensions

A small MAXScript extension for converting little-endian floats to big-endian floats. Originally just for Max 6 to 8, I've recompiled for Max 9 (32-bit) as well.


New Plugin: Objects

This plugin creates a Sierpinski Pyramid, which is a 3D version of a fractal cluster formed by repeatedly cutting out pieces of a tetrahedron or a pyramid. For 32-bit Max 9 only.


Plugin Update: Bitmap I/O

Changes for v1.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit only)
- Fixes bug with alpha channel not loading


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v3.01 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit only)
- Fixex re-initing ColladaAttrib for instanced objects
- Fixes Load/Save of SimpleAttrib parameter block descriptions
- Fixes SimpleAttrib parameter block ID assignments
- Fixes extremely anoying heap corruption error on reset
- Fixes bad comparison that stopped derived objects from assigning materials
- Fixes rotation sampling import
- Transform export updated to evaluate each node and export the relevant transform


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v3.30 are:
- Several MAXScript functions were updated as requested by various customers

Puppetshop is available for Max 8 and 9, and costs $249. A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: Utilities

There are now 2 versions of RPManager, one for pre-Max 9 (and optionally 32-bit Max 9), and one for 64-bit Max 9 (and optionally 32-bit Max 9)

Changes for v3.59153 are:
- Adds some 'Memory Tweaks' to the RPM preferences
- Fixes a couple of bugs

Changes for v3.9059 are:
- Adds some 'Memory Tweaks' to the RPM preferences
- Initial Heapsize increased
- Fixes some Network Submission UI bugs to do with the server list

RPManager is available for Max 6 to 9 and costs $300. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling / Animation

Changes for v1.6.0.70 are:
- Fixes Composite Shadows, Curve Control and Model Hair problems, incorrect version labels in Max 9
- Renamed Hair Shadows to hairfx Shadows

This build is available to registered users at the DDAG website.

hairfx is available for Max 5 to 9 and costs $395.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v0.2.14 are:
- Naming surfaces convention changed
- Option change name of root channel added
- Export empty scene bug fixed


New Plugin: Materials

This map allows you to blend multiple texture maps together with different blend modes, similar to Photoshop layers. It is a beta version, and may still be buggy, so be warned...


Plugin Update: Render Effects / Modifiers

Adam Wierzchowski has recompiled all of his plugins as 64-bit versions for Max 9. The plugins are:
- EdgyBend v1.0
- Spherical Correction v1.0
- Frost v1.0
- Flat Colors v1.0
- DeFocus v1.1
- Custom Filter v1.0


Plugin Update: Modelling / Animation

Changes for v1.6 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Registered users should have received an email containing the download links for the Max 9 versions. I assume that Turbosquid will be updating the ACT page soon as well.

ACT is available for Max 4 to 9 and costs $495. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v3.0 Build 158 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit only)
- RAViX render speed is now increased

Swift 3D MAX is available for Max 3 to 9 and costs $295. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.1 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit and 64-bit)

This one came out in December last year, I just seem to have missed it.


Plugin News: RPManager 64-bit...

Grant Adam has posted an updated version of RPManager for 64-bit Max, which he says has been tested more thoroughly with heavy scenes and seems to be workable at the moment. It also contains a bunch of bug-fixes to do with the backburner network submission rollout.

RPManager is available for Max 6 to 9 and costs $300. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.7.17.29 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit only)
- Minor bug-fixes


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v3.0.5 are:
- Fixes a problem exporting alpha values in vertex colors
- Improved algorithm for calculating far distance attenuation of light sources
- Fixes an issue with the 'movable' parameter for cameras


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v0.994b are:
- Publishing time is drastically reduced for export to 'installable .EXE'
- Saving the Max scene no longer slows down the following 'play' operation
- Adds more material warning messages
- Degenerated objects with lightmap assigned no longer cancel lightmap rendering
- Exported .exe files now work without a seperate dna.dll file
- Saturation value in the Camera Post FX entity now has a correct range
- Textures no longer get messed up when applied to unsupported materials

Click-VR Visualizer is available for Max 5 to 9 and costs €980. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.3.2 are:
- Fixes a number of minor bugs


New Plugin: MAXScript Extensions

This is a little MAXScript extension to expose the UDeflector, UDynaflect and UOmniflect spacewarps node assigment to MAXScript.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.32 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit only)
- Adds support for Pencil+ v2 Line
- Anti-aliasing settings are now saved

Liquid+ is available for Max 5 to 9 and costs ¥45,780. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Texturing

Changes for v2.01 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit only)
- Improved processing speed
- Improved stability
- Fixes a problem with Reflect/Refract mapping not rendering properly
- Fixes a problem with lines on mirrored objects not rendering properly
- Fixes a bug where invisible lines were being rendered as visible ones

Pencil+ is available for Max 6 to 9 and costs ¥45,150. A demo version is available here.


Site News: Will animate for food :o)

Just a personal news entry here to let people know that I am always available for 3D work (I don't just run this site). All of the relevant information can be found on my other site www.anidesign.de, along with some videos of my work to give you an idea of what I can do.

Dave


New Plugin: mental ray Shaders

This shader is based on the paper A Practical Analytic Model for Daylight presented at Siggraph 1999. It is for adding a physical sky environment to your scenes.


Plugin News: Renderers

Pangolin Laser Systems, Inc. are inviting existing customers to test the Max 9 version of their Lasershow Converter. If you have Max 9 and are interested, send them an email using their contact form.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.5 are:
- No changes, this is a beta of the upcoming plugin for Max 9 (32-bit)

iClone Exporter is available for Max 6 to 9 as part of the iClone package which costs $79.95. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modifiers

Changes for v1.0 are:
- A new recompile for Max 9. This one should work OK now


Plugin Update: Texturing

Changes for v1.45 are:
- Adds new parameter - gamma correction

AF Material Correct is available for Max 3 to 9 and costs $14.99. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v3.21 are:
- Exported PSD files are now compatible with Corel products

AF Export Channels is available for Max 3 to 9 and costs $99.99. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Max 9 updates for Afterburn and Dreamscape

Because of technical problems involved with bringing installations of Autodesk Certified Plugins for Max 9, which resulted in a prolonged delay, Sitni Sati have decided to release their own installers (32-bit and 64-bit).

The content of these installers is identical to the ones that will be released through TurboSquid. AfterBurn and Dreamscape installers are already available from their members area. Sitni Sati apologizes for any inconvenience.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.15 are:
- Enables 'Export Selected'
- Enables filtering of hidden models
- Exposes Tangent Space Algorithm on dialog
- Updates Walkmesh settings to reflect new information from Obsidian


Plugin News: RPManager 64-bit...

Grant Adam has posted a preliminary version of RPManager for 64-bit Max 9 (which also works with 32-bit Max 9). It is a WIP and the .NET controls seem to have trouble with very heavy scenes, so test at your own risk. Grant will be finishing the last few updates to the .NET controls and the issues with heavy scenes as a priority.

RPManager is available for Max 6 to 9 and costs $300. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: mental ray Shaders

Changes for v1.01 are:
- Redefines the different panoramic mappings used in the environment and lens shaders
- Adds lens shader drLensBrightness_v1
- Adds node ids for Multipass shaders
- Updates drUtilShaders .mi declarations to include all new files
- Updates example scenes to be a bit more friendly out of the box


Plugin Update: Atmospherics

Sitni Sati has released AfterBurn v3.2a for Max 9 (32-bit, I don't know about 64-bit). Registered users can download the update immediately from the Sitni Sati members area. Turbosquid haven't updated their site yet, but it will also be available there.

Afterburn is available for Max 4 to 9 and costs $495. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v2.31 are:
- Fixes distribution maps not updating properly
- Fixes errors occurring when Max is installed in a different folder than the current 3DS configuration
- Improvements to the Max 9 installer

The freeware Forest Pack Lite has also been updated.

Forest Pack Pro is available for Max 4 to 9 and costs €250. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Import / Export

Allows you to import and export MDB files for use in Neverwinter Nights 2.


Plugin Update: Modifiers

Changes for v1.0 are:
- No changes, just a recompile for Max 9 (32-bit only)

Update: 11.01.2007
I've removed the link to the plugin as some people have been having problems getting it to run. As soon as Dieter sends me a new version, I'll post it here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v0.993b are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit only)
- Adds cubic environmental reflection mapping
- Improved rendering performance for large scenes
- Resource and memory managment has been optimized
- Texture export has been sped up
- Rendering quality of real-time lighting and reflection improved
- Publishing to .EXE now always works on large scenes
- Skinning now works with Max 8
- Documentation has been updated and completed
- Starting Max twice no longer results in Click-VR blocking the CPU
- Incremental updates now work properly

Click-VR Visualizer is available for Max 5 to 9 and costs €980. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Materials

Changes for v2.57 are:
- Minor: if v2.56 is working for you, there is no need to update


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v5.07 are:
- Maintanence release for SDK and exporters

groundExport is part of the PathEngine SDK, and is available for Max 6 to 8. A basic license for the SDK costs €4000.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v3.27 are:
- Fixes a bug in using 'Scale Pos' in Load/Save dialog
- Adjusted 'Delete Puppet' function

Puppetshop is available for Max 8 and 9, and costs $249. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v0.3b are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Fixes a bug with the bottom floor plane when generated in the top view
- Other minor fixes


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.29 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit only)


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v4.4.4 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Drops support for Max 4 and 5
- A number of bug-fixes


New Plugin: Modifiers

And yet another one that I missed in December...
This plugin is very similar to the standard Bend modifier, except that it bends objects while keeping a user-definable number of straight sections.

Adam has also recompiled all of his other plugins for Max 9 (32-bit only), you can find them all here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.20 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit and 64-bit)


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit and 64-bit)

ScalpelMAX is available for Max 4 to 9 and costs $150. An update costs $59 and can be purchased directly at the cebas shop. All users that purchased ScalpelMAX within the last 2 months will get this update for free.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.0 are:
- Output of 16 bits per channel PSD files (with ZIP compression)
- Adds support for Max 9 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Asset tracking and repathing support (Max 8 and 9)
- Support for PSD file paths relative to project folder (Max 9)
- Compatibility to 32 bits per channel framebuffers (Max 8 and 9)
- New blending mode Hard Mix for render elements output
- Improved ease of use and usability
- Support for all Max 9 render elements
- Support for all VRay 1.5 render elements
- Support for all finalRender Stage-2 render elements
- Support for Z-Depth Plus render element
- Support for PSoft Pencil+ 2 and Liquid+ render elements

psd-manager is available for Max 6 to 9 and costs $150. An update costs $59 and can be purchased directly at the cebas shop. All users that purchased psd-manager between October 15th, 2006 and today will get this update for free.


New Plugin: Objects

Another one that I seem to have missed last year...

This plugin adds a new geometry object which creates a statistically generated ocean wave suface. It allows you to set parameters like wind direction and strength, required detail, etc., to control the appearance of the sea surface. This is basically the same 'Tessendorf' method used to generate the ocean surface in movies like 'Titanic'.


New Plugin: Utilities

This is one from last year that I must have missed.

This plugin allows you to build arbitrary Cornell box scenes in just a few seconds. The Cornell box is probably the most well known simple test scene for testing global illumination renders.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

There are a lot of changes in the new version of the plugin, too many to list here. This post on the Maxwell forum gives a full description of the changes. In any case, the plugin now supports 64-bit Max 9.

Maxwell / Max users will automatically receive a version update notification when they launch their Max plugin and therefore don't need to go to the download site to get the updated plugin. Other users can visit the regular customer download page to download the latest Max plugin.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v3.26 are:
- Fixes a bug with Asian/Special Character languages for Windows XP

Puppetshop is available for Max 8 and 9, and costs $249. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Materials

Changes for v1.2 are:
- No changes, just a recompile for Max 9 (32-bit only)

Thanks go to Eric Chadwick for recompiling the plugin for Max 9.


Site News: Update for the Max 9 pages

I've made a some changes to the site so that the Max 9 plugins are now split up into 2 different pages, one for 32-bit plugins and one for 64-bit plugins. This should make it a bit easier when searching for a plugin for Max 9. Dave


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.3b are:
- Fixes Wavefront .OBJ export
- Fixes a problem with output directory names containing a '.'


Site News: Happy New Year!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year! I hope you all have a healthy and prosperous one... Dave