MAX Plugins.de News Archive

Archived Plugin News  –  April 2008
 

Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.20 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.0.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for the Iterative rendering option
- Automatic configuration and arrangement of the new mental ray render elements in Max 2009

psd-manager is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $150. For registered users this is a free update and can be downloaded directly at the cebas shop.


Plugin Update: Connection

Changes for v2.5.1 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- You can now import all layers of a PSD file into the new Max Composite Map

GhostPainter is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $345. For registered users this is a free update and can be downloaded directly at the cebas shop.


Plugin Update: Materials

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)


New Plugin: Modifiers

Uniform Spline is a modifier that does a similar job to Normalize Spline. One of the major differences is that it allows you to retain the original vertices, and it also lets you define exactly how many vertices you want in the spline.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.07 are:
- Changes how an imposter chooses to extend off the end of the branch
- Adds an object-sort to the viewer to try to minimize blending issues
- Fixes the viewer drawing non-textured objects
- Fixes a slow vertex colour generation in scenes with multiple nodes

Branches is available for Max 9 and 2008, and costs $70. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v4.12 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- V-Ray SP2 UI update
- Adds a Custom Render Submission system
- You can now control the naming of merged passes
- Adds the V-Ray Cache Manager, allowing setup and management of V-Ray caches
- The Viewport Preview Pass Tool creates previews of all or some of the passes in the viewport
- The output test for backburner no longer fails on a top level output
- Before/After scripts that error now print the error in the messagebox
- The Mental Ray override material UI elements are now hooked up
- The 'G' button to get a material has been fixed
- RPMData.GetPassChecked() and GetPassSelection() now return stored values if RPM closed
- Max 2009 now allows RPManager to check for the viewport lock button and disable it
- V-Ray SP2 render elements now show their UI's
- Adds a macroscript for viewport preview so you can hotkey it
- Brazil2 presets are now supported
- Copy Renderer no longer errors for Brazil2
- Submitting to Backburner with the 32/64 bit option no longer fails on older scenes
- Loading scenes with incomplete internal Xref data no longer crashes Max
- Fixes a load of .NET UI errors in the Merge Properties rollout
- And loads more... a complete list is available here

This version of RPManager is available for Max 9 to 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit) and costs $300. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v3.607 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit only)
- Updated USB dongle support
- Xref override materials and delayed xrefs no longer fail to restore on farm
- Fixes a license checking error
- Fixes Capture Set Override materials getting out of order when passes were deleted
- The 'P' put button for a capture set override material now works every time it's pressed

This version of RPManager is available for Max 6 to 2009 (32-bit only) and costs $300. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Post FX / Atmospherics

cebas Computer GmbH have recompiled their finalF/X bundle to support Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit). The bundle consists of finalDOF, finalFlares and Pyrocluster 3.5.

finalFX Bundle is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $745. The finalF/X Bundle 1.5 recompile is a free download and can be acquired by registered users at the cebas Shop.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Tension Modifier is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $20. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.1 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Transmographier is available for Max 5 to 2009 and costs $20. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Updates: Freeware recompiles from Grant Adam

Grant Adam has recompiled most of his freeware plugins for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit), and in the process has also changed some of his commercial plugins to freeware.

The following plugins have been recompiled:
- Translucency Modifier v1.0
- ColorPolyByVerts v1.1c (used to be commercial)
- BetterWind v1.0
- MultiIDMap2 v1.0
- FrameInfo v1.13
- Extended Multipass Motion Blur v1.0
- Map to Vertex Color v1.0
- ChannelOps Map v1.0
- Blur Vertex Color v1.0
- Spline Mesher v1.0
- Propagate Soft Selection v1.0


Plugin Update: Post FX

Changes for v1.5 include:
- Custom looks authored in one application can be used instantly in any other supported application
- Adds new support for LUTs for Discreet Flame, LUTher and Fusion as well as ICC profiles
- Adds support for NUKE 5.0 and Autodesk Maya 2008
- Volume sales of Color Symmetry v1.5 will ship with Pantone Eye One for monitor calibration

Color Symmetry is available for Max 8 to 2008. For sales and purchasing information, contact info@duikerresearch.com


Plugin Update: Objects

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 and 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit)


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.0.341 Beta include:
- Fix to photon store shutdown
- Adds support for geometric area lights


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.6.11 are:
- Adds MAXScript support for accessing OgreMax scene and object settings
- Adds base directory settings for the default scene file
- Adds double click editing functionality to the manual LOD list
- The mesh and node animation dialogs now set input focus to the animation name text box
- Modified all the modal dialogs so that they can be OK'ed with Alt+O
- Fixes a bug which prevented material files from being written


Plugin News: ThinkingParticles demo available...

cebas Computer GmbH have released a demo version of ThinkingParticles v3.0. The demo isn't time restricted, but the following restrictions apply:
- Particles can't be rendered
- Meshes are not created except for viewport display
- Materials are not supported for rendering output
- Particle caching is not available in the demo version
- Physics simulation caching is not supported
- ThinkingParticles scenes can't be saved
- Black Boxes can't be saved
- 3rd party plugin support is not available in the demo
- Particles can't be exported
- External Particle is not available (Mesher/Snapshot)
- TD-Tool support for creating TP particle systems is not available

The demo version needs to be registered, and can be downloaded here.

ThinkingParticles is available for Max 6 to 2008 and costs $1695. Upgrade pricing is available for current ThinkingParticles v2.5 owners for $595.


Plugin Update: Materials

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.0 are:
- No changes, just recompiled for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

I've also recompiled a version for Max 9 / 2008 which you can get here.


Plugin Updates: Vladislav Gavrilov plugins for Max 2009

Vladislav Gavrilov has recompiled his plugins for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit). The freeware plugins are:
- Spiral v1.0
- Advanced Outline v2.4.1
- IES Viewer v1.0.0.2
- Edge Chamfer/Extrude v3.8
- TwoPs v1.0
- Snake v1.0
- SCR Functions v1.0

He's also recompiled his commercial plugins:
- MegaBevel v2.0
- MapLayers v1.6.5
- Clone v2.0.1
- PolygonMap v4.1.7


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.6.10 are:
- Adds support for exporting Maxscript materials derived from OgreMax Material
- Adds a 'default scene file' setting to the Scene Settings dialog
- Adds a 'Copy' button in the Mesh Animations and Node Animations tab pages
- The Mesh Animation dialog now selects a sensible default 'track' when adding a new animation
- Fixes a bug with the 'Convert to OgreMax Materials' feature
- Fixes a problem with some of the multi-line text boxes not having a vertical scrollbar
- Fixes a problem with material names containing spaces
- The 'Add Include/Exclude Bone' dialog now displays the name of the selected bone


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.1.1 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for Service Pack 2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009
- Adds support for the Lighting Analysis Overlay render effect in Max 2009
- Adds a V-Ray specific Defaults switcher for Max
- Adds support for animated deforming VRayProxy objects
- VRayLights in rectangle mode can now be texture-mapped
- Texture-mapped dome lights use better sampling and have faster preparation phase
- Adds a VRayIES light specifically optimized for rendering with V-Ray
- Adds HDR output for texture-baked render elements
- Adds a VRay_SelfIlluminationMap texture baking element
- Adds a VRay_BumpNormalsMap texture baking element to extract bump-mapped normals
- Adds the VRay_ExtraTex render element
- Adds the VRay_SampleRate render element to show the image sampling rate
- Adds VRay_BumpNormals render element / VRayBumpNormalsMap bake render element
- Adds the VRay_Illuminance render element for displaying scene illuminance in physical units
- Adds a VRayShadowMap shadow generator that works with all V-Ray geometry objects
- Adds the VRaySimbiontMtl material specifically optimized for rendering procedural DarkTree shaders

V-Ray is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $299 (Basic) / $799 (Advanced). A demo version is available here.


New Shader: mental ray Shaders

Ghost Settings unlocks a few hidden features in mental ray 3.6 and higher (only ships with Max 2009), namely importons and irradiance particles.

Importons can be used as an importance based merging function for global illumination photons, or by Irradiance Particles when both GI and FG are disabled. Irradiance Particles (short: IP) is a global illumination technique which, in many cases, is superior to final gather and/or photon mapping in terms of image quality, usability and performance.


Plugin Update: Renderers

The latest new build of Brazil r/s v2.1b (Pro-Beta), build 1587, is now available from the SplutterFish FishMarket Account (if you have upgraded to Brazil r/s v2.0). You can find a full list of enhancements and bugfixes here.

Brazil r/s v2.0 is available for Max 4 to 2008 and pricing starts at $795 for the Basic Edition, and $995 for the Professional Edition.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.0.340 Beta are:
- Fixes rd.ImportFrameBuffer() to support importing 16bit images
- Fixes textures which multiply reference image files
- Fixes various memory leaks relating to database definitions and scripts
- Changes Watch Folder to trigger restarts
- Adds rectangular zoom functionality


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v2.0 are:
- Full compatibility with Max 9, 2008 and 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Optimized creation rollout
- Improved shape and proportion for the default head
- Improved shape generators preset: Gender, Race
- Improved UV coordinates of the low resolution head
- Improved phonemes generators preset
- New additional shape generators preset: Asymmetry, Blowing
- New additional jaw deformations : Y Rotation, Z Rotation
- Automatic Voice-O-Matic configuration
- Fixes LOD not being restored properly when opening saved file
- Discontinues support for Max 4 and 5

Facial Studio is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $699. Registered users of Facial Studio v1.5 only need to subscribe to the Premium+ Support Package, listed at $99, to gain access to this new version. A demo version is available here.



Plugin Updates: Recompiled plugins for Max 2009

I've finished recompiling the first load of plugins for Max 2009 (both 32-bit and 64-bit). This covers just about all of the plugins that I've got the source code for. I'll be posting the Peter Watje plugins tomorrow.

Aranda Morrison
- ExtendXRefScene v1.0

Autodesk, Inc.
- Bookmark v1.0

HABWare
- 3:2 Pulldown v9.0
- ACI to MAT v9.0
- Billboard v9.0
- Carrera v9.0
- ColorTab v9.0
- DEM to MAX v9.0
- Exclude v9.0
- HMesher v9.0
- HSpline v9.1
- IBitmap v9.0
- Interlace v9.0
- MLI to MAX v9.0
- Moebius v9.0
- Nurbser v9.0
- Panorama v9.1
- Patchwork v9.0
- Photometer v9.0
- Particle Texture v9.0
- Roller v9.0
- SGI Logo v9.0
- SnapShot v9.0
- Spider v9.0
- Sticks v9.0
- Terrain2 v9.0
- ToyTrain v9.0
- Water2 v9.0
- XIdMary v9.0
- Genesis3D KEY Exporter v2.0
- Genesis3D NFO Exporter v2.0

J. Antonio Amblés
- LightMesh v0.9

John Burnett
- BindPoints v4.05.2008
- ForceViewer v4.05.2008
- InfoTexture v4.05.2008
- NullHelper v4.05.2008
- UVW to RGB v4.05.2008
- Warp Texture v4.05.2008

Jonathan Garcia
- Delete Visibility Track v1.0
- Endian v1.0
- Get Bitmap Info v1.0

Lesha VH
- Color Picker v2.01 (32-bit only)

Mark Williams
- Color Replace v1.1
- Disperse/Refract v1.0
- Graph v0.9
- Mosaic v1.0
- Pen v1.1
- Scratch v1.2

Martin Collberg
- max2ms3d v1.12

Martin Enthed / Creative Tools AB
- Ego v1.14

Mike Biddlecombe
- HiddenDOSCommand v1.0

Simon Feltman
- REZN8 MAXScript Extension v1.34 (32-bit only)

Sisyphus Software
- Grass-O-Matic v1.2
- MaxTrax v2.1
- Proteus v1.1
- Special Purpose Particles v1.2

Stan Melax
- PolyChop v2.0.0.02

Edit: I've just fixed the broken link for 'ACI to MAT' from HABWare


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v2.0.93 are:
- Greatly increased performance for large complex scenes in both authoring and published scenes
- Enhanced support for Max materials (procedurals, architectural materials, normal mapping and more)
- New and improved navigation features such as orbit and fly modes
- Adds customizable gravity for walk mode
- Automatic basic lighting allows users to get their scenes up and running quickly
- Commonly used menus are now accessible through modeless floating dialogs and right-click menus
- Customizable ground and sky gradients make it easy to improve the look and feel of your scene
- Published .EXE files are now, by default, compressed to save space
- Expanded publishing controls let you easily order and switch between multiple cameras

rtre is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs $3995. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v4.0 include:
- Adds support for Max 9 and Max 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- The auto exposure feature is equivalent to radiance auto exposure
- Adds bump map support for Max standard materials and LS-materials
- Adds LS-material mixture support for alpha blending with intensity
- Adds anisotropic metall2 and plastic2 shader for LS-materials
- Improved mirror, light and glow-shader to work with instances properly
- Improved export of geometry and materials
- Improved zone handling
- Improved multi-processor handling more than 2 processors

Light Studio RAD Renderer is available for Max 9 and 2008, and costs €495. A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: Forest Pack 3 to be released soon...

Itoo Software have posted a load of information on the upcoming release of Forest Pack 3. They have rewritten a large part of the software, introducing many new features and improvements. This version will also provide compatibility with Max 2009.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.0.339 are:
- Adds support for output definition of camera framebuffers
- Fixes various memory leaks relating to database definitions and scripts
- Further fixes to correctly handle photons emitted from directional lights
- Reduces memory usage of photon casting


Plugin Update: Bitmap I/O

Changes for v1.3 are:
- Adds support for 64-bit Max 9 and 2008
- Adds support for 7.3 and 7.4 VTF formats


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.06 are:
- Reworked the plugin, exporter and viewer for faster frame rates
- Remodelled the sample pine tree using rendered imposters

Branches is available for Max 9 and 2008, and costs $70. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.05 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 and Max Design 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds animation support for all Constraint Controllers
- Removing an objects lightmap now automatically deletes the corresponding bitmap files and modifiers
- Fixes viewport startup failure after 'Save As'
- Fixes incorrect display of default lighting with changing cameras
- Publishing of custom shaders now works correctly

Click-VR Visualizer is available for Max 5 to 2009 and costs €1,180. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v8.1.8 are:
- Adds support for merging and XRefs
- Improved stability
- AutoFocusCam is now called ZoomAndFocusCam

If you've installed Craft Director Tools you should be automatically prompted to update your software when you start up Max.

Also, don't forget that Craft Animations will be changing their base currency to the Euro in May which means a 25% increase in the dollar price of Craft Director Tools. Until the end of April you can still buy the plugin at the reduced price.

Craft Director Tools are available for Max 6 to 2008 and cost between $99 and $995. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Modelling / Animation

With GrowFX you can create broadleaf-trees, conifers, palm trees, flowers and many other types of vegetation. Unique building mechanisms help to create creeping plants which can entwine any scene object. GrowFX is totally integrated into Max and all the parameters can be animated, eg. wind, plant growth, etc.

GrowFX is available for Max 8 to 2008 and costs $499. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v3.1 are:
- A load of new features and bug-fixes, the whole list is in the CAT wiki

CAT is available for Max 7 to 2008 and costs $995. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.71.17.171 are:
- Adds support for Max 2008 (32-bit only)


Plugin Update: Bitmap I/O

Changes for v1.2.3 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)


Plugin Update: Connection

Changes for Build 292700 include:
- Adds support for Max 2009 and Max 2009 Design (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds an option in the render node configuration files: WaitingForLicense = wait/black/error
- Fixes several instances of the xStream plugins being launched at the same time
- Fixes atmosphere opacity computation
- MentalRay: xStream shader no longer affects both light rays AND shadow rays
- Fixes render node renders when license server couldn't be reached
- Fixes rendering of plants (holes in leaves)
- Fixes rendering of transparent Vue objects in front of native objects
- Adds compatibility with the new build of the License server
- Fixes problems when reconnecting to the license server
- Fixes possible crashes in the license server
- Fixes a possible string overflow in the license server
- Fixes missing alpha / transparency maps when re-opening scenes
- Fixes a possible non-opening AVI options dialog on 64-bit OS
- Plant material no longer casts unexpected shadows
- Fixes wind computation differences between two renders of the same scene
- Other minor interface fixes and improvements

Vue 6 xStream is available for Max 7 to 2009 and costs $895. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v4.6.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.6.9 are:
- Adds support for 3D texture coordinates
- Adds 'Always Export Skeleton' setting to the Mesh Animation settings page
- Adds 'Always Export Poses' setting to the Mesh Animation settings page
- Adds an extra check during export to ensure a camera's near clip distance isn't too close to zero
- Adds support for hierarchical model instances
- Adds settings to specify the node animation translation and rotation interpolation modes
- Updates Ogre 1.4.x build to Ogre 1.4.7
- Updates Ogre 1.5.x to use the latest Ogre head release
- Modified the texture unit to allow negative mip bias values
- Modified the exporter to export all object note tracks
- Modified the export of pose animations to allow negative influences
- Modified the mesh exporter to export poses even if there are no animations
- Modified the behavior of model instances
- Modified the format of model instances in the scene file
- Modified the docs for lights to indicate which Max settings are exported
- Fixes a bug with the Ogre base resource location type not being displayed correctly
- The mesh XML 'texture_coord_dimensions_' attribute is now spelt correctly
- Fixes a bug with 'Reference' cloned objects not being exported
- Fixes problems with the installer not working correctly under Vista
- Fixes a bug with OgreMax Material window causing Max to crash under Vista
- Fixes the exporter sometimes crashing when creating a new folder in the Vista export dialog
- Fixes the dialogs using the default locale when parsing floating point numbers in text boxes


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.0.337 include:
- Changes command line syntax to be more intuitive
- Adds Deadline plugin (Windows 32-bit)
- Fix to Max plugin - transmit the source filepath
- Adds diagnostics for photon casting
- Fixes dgs_material shader to handle photons
- Fixes compute_irradiance to support photon accuracy
- Fix to correctly handle photons emitted from directional lights
- Fix to correctly scale photons after photon emission has completed
- Fixes mi_noise_3d and mi_noise_3d_grad


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.01 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- General speed improvements when changing parameters in NodeJoe
- New shortcut for opening / closing selected nodes
- New layout option for grouping trees horizontally or vertically in the toolbar
- Forward-linking via the context menu to speed up your workflow even further
- Minor bugfixes

NodeJoe is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs €289. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

The RPC Plugin for Max 2009 provides you with the ability to place, edit, create, and render all types of RPC content. Features include:
- Revit import options
- RPC Mass utility
- New RPC lighting options
- Improved illumination features
- V-Ray compatible
- mental ray shader included
- Improved mental ray rendering
- Floating license management tools
- RPC Shadow plugin license

This version of RPC is available for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit) and costs $219. For a limited time the plugin is available at a special introductory rate of $49. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

The latest new build of Brazil r/s v2.1b (Pro-Beta), build 1572, is now available from the SplutterFish FishMarket Account (if you have upgraded to Brazil r/s v2.0). You can find a full list of enhancements and bugfixes here.

Brazil r/s v2.0 is available for Max 4 to 2008 and pricing starts at $795 for the Basic Edition, and $995 for the Professional Edition.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v4.1 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Several bugfixes and some code optimization

This version of PolyBoost is available for Max 9 to 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit) and costs $154. A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: RPManager USB dongles available...

Grant Adam has announced USB dongle based floating licenses are now available for RPManager, with a minimum of 4 RPM licenses required to qualify for a floating license. Node locked USB dongle based licenses are available as well, to attach a single RPManager license to a dongle for portability. Dongles can be remotely updated with more licenses, or converted from node locked to floating at a later date. They are an additional charge of US$55 each, which includes shipping. Existing RPM licenses can be converted to node or floating (if > 4). Full information is available here.

Grant has also uploaded a beta version of RPManager with a feature that might be of interest to V-Ray users but which needs testing - the Vray Cache/Raw Output Manager. There is some basic information about it here with screenshots, and the beta build with this feature available here.

RPManager is available for Max 6 to 2008 and costs $300. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Modifiers

A modifier that sets an entire objects soft selection value to the maximum found on the object - ie. if one vertex is 0.5 selected, the entire object will be set to 0.5. Useful for controlling selection over an entire object by a soft volume select.


New Plugin: Modifiers

This is like a renderable spline but with the option to use a curve to define shape. It has a bunch of other options like mapping style, grow options, and a secondary spline shape which can be blended to at a certain point on the spline with a soft-width setting.


New Plugin: Modifiers

A modifier that blurs the vertex colours (or any mapping channel). This is conceptually much like the blur routine in the Vertex Paint modifier, but as a modifier.


New Plugin: Materials

A map that allows individual channel (ie R, G, B, A) control, as well as tinting and colour correction tools. Think Eyeon Fusion - the Boolean tool meets the Colour Corrector node.


New Plugin: Modifiers

This is a modifier that converts a map to vertex colours (or modifies any channel). It also has options to assign a vertex selection by the maps values.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.11 are:
- Adds a new UV based algorithm
- Fixes a bug with blur
- Removes the licensing

Tension Modifier is available for Max 6 to 2008 and costs $20. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Updates: 64-bit Footools available

John Burnett has compiled all of his Footools plugins for 64-bit Max 9 and 2008.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.88.04 are:
- Adds a tool named 'Create a pass per render element'
- Passes can now remember the paths used in the render panel
- Passes can now remember shaders used in the Render Panel
- Passes can now remember shaders used in the Environment Map slot
- Passes can now remember Render Elements Global activation
- Adds the 'Compo Export' menu for exporting passes to combustion, afterFX, Fusion or Nuke
- Adds a preview output file dropdownlist in the render parameter panel
- Adds a tool to check the size of the precompositing preview files
- Adds an automatic mode to connect to the Backburner manager
- Network rendering is no longer available in demo mode
- The plus/minus buttons to change pass order have been replaced by a spinner
- Makes port 3234 the default for connecting to the Backburner manager
- Set color mode is now ON by default
- Drag and drop out of bounds of the window no longer throws an error
- Render time range is no longer false
- The 'use' button for render options now keeps its initial scene state
- Render scene dialog output parameters are now restored correctly

Vanilla Pass Manager is available for Max 9 and 2008, and costs $350. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v5.50 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for Archvision RPC 1.14.0
- Right mouse button now cancels picking objects in all helper roll-ups
- The Attach action, and others, now only select the allowed amount of objects
- 'Apply to all' now updates the representation type of all helpers
- Mesh Animation export now works properly
- Fixes a crash bug when importing some types of VMX file
- Offset material properties are now exported properly
- A large number of smaller fixes and improvements have been made to increase general stability

VR4MAX is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs €850. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.05 are:
- Adds support for renderable imposters (reduces the number of nodes required in the scene)

Branches is available for Max 9 and 2008, and costs $70. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.0.336 are:
- Adds a command line option to renderMI to allow specification of the camera resolution
- Adds a command line option to renderMI to allow specification of output filename


Plugin Updates: Kees Rijnen freeware plugins for Max 2009

Kees Rijnen has recompiled his freeware plugins Helium and MorphX2 for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)


Plugin News: All Lumonix plugins now available for Max 2009

Lumonix have announced that all of their plugins (ShaderFX, PuppetShop and SkinFX) are now available for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v1.32 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

RayFire Tool is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs $195.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v1.1 are:
- Adds full support for Max 9, 2008 and 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Fixes the 'Ignore backfacing' on Poly objects issue in HerculesSelect
- Adds a new Re-Cache Subdivision button in HerculesDeform

This update is available free of charge to all Di-O-Matic Premium, Premium+ and VIP users.

Hercules is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $599. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Connection

Changes for v2.5 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 and 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for Adobe Photoshop CS3 and CS Extended
- Now includes psd-manager 2.01

GhostPainter is available for Max 6 to 2008 and costs $345. For registered users this is a $95 update and can be purchased directly at the cebas shop.


Plugin Update: Particles / Animation

Changes for v1.3.19 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

glu3D is available for Max 7 to 2009 and costs €495. A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: Craft Animations offer 20% discount...

Due to the current instability of the US Dollar Craft Animations will be basing its prices on Euros for the foreseable future. This will involve an increase of prices by approximately 25% for customers using US Dollars. To give customers the opportunity to purchase Craft Director Tools at their current price, they are going to wait until the May 1st 2008 to change the prices on their website.

Craft Director Tools are available for Max 6 to 2008 and cost between $99 and $995. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Texturing

Changes for v2.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

ShaderFX is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $249. A demo version is available here.


Plugin News: NodeJoe demo version available...

Thinking Apes GmbH have at last released a demo version of NodeJoe, the schematic material editor for Max. It is available for Max 9 and 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit), but only if you are a member of the NodeJoe forum. As a registered forum member you have direct access to the download section.

NodeJoe is available for Max 6 to 2008 and costs €289. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v1.6 are:
- Adds full support for Max 9, Max 2008 and Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Cluster-O-Matic Soft Selection files (.css) are now human-readable (ASCII-based)
- Fixes the 'Ignore backfacing on Poly object' issue
- Fixes the 'Push support on Poly object' issue

This update is available free of charge to all Di-O-Matic Premium, Premium+ and VIP users.

Cluster-O-Matic is available for Max 4 to 2009 and costs $149. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.7.0.33 are:
- A couple of non-Max specific updates, full details here

Granny Exporter is available for Max 6 to 2008, and is part of the Granny Toolkit which costs $12500.


Plugin Update: Texturing

Changes for v2.60 RC3 are:
- Adds support for Max 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit)

SimbiontMAX is available for Max 9 and 2008, and is free to licensed users of DarkTree, which costs $419.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.0.334 Beta include:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds functionality to allow overriding the current render camera


Misc Update: Max 2009 is shipping...

Autodesk has posted the trial version of Max 2009, which usually means that it has officially started shipping. I've updated the site to be 2009-ready, and now we just need to wait for all of the recompiled plugins to be released...

All of the plugins that I released / re-compiled for Max 9 / 2008 last year will be released for Max 2009 as soon as I have my copy of the SDK.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.3 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit only at the moment)
- Much improved management of Y-up/Z-up differences
- Completely re-worked skinning export
- Adds support for compressed text export
- Adds support for various ways of hiding/exporting parts of the file