MAX Plugins.de News Archive

Archived Plugin News  –  November 2014
 

Plugin Update: Connections

Changes for Build 12501335 are:
- Adds support for V-Ray 3.0

Vue xStream is available for Max 2009 to 2015 and costs $1695. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.03.10 are:
- Fixes an issue with rendering the preview with helper-cube when the studio scene is open
- Fixes an issue with deleting thumbnails and description when deleting the main file
- Fixes a bug when starting Relink from the 'Batch Render&Relink' tool
- Fixes a bug with the 'Use custom studio' checkbox in the 'Render Thumbnails Preferences' dialog
- Fixes an issue with displaying some of the text labels in the treeview
- Fixes some minor issues

Project Manager is available for Max 2010 to 2015 and costs $75. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.4.2 are:
- Adds support for Thinking Particles v6.1

Frost MX is available for Max 2010 to 2015 and costs $495. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Utilities

Simplygon is a polygon reduction API and standalone application which offers the following features:
- Allows very high 3D compression ratios
- Compresses 3D data to specific pixel resolution or form factor
- Accepts multi 3D primitive input/output
- Handles out-of-core 3D data, and large 3D pipelines
- Provides the highest quality, as demanded by the AAA entertainment sectors

The integration with Max allows you to start the standalone UI from inside Max, and automatically move assets from Max to Simplygon and back. The actual polygon reduction is done in the cloud.

Simplygon Cloud Pro is available for Max 2012 to 2015 and costs $100 per month or $1000 per year. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v2.13 are:
- Fixes cylindrical camera mode
- Fixes region render
- Fixes motion blur of ParticleFlow
- Switches to CUDA 6.5
- Improved performance of Maxwell 2 GPUs (GTX 970 and GTX 980)
- Speeds up processing of HDR textures
- Fixes displacement 'cracks'
- Fixes memory leak when using environment importance sampling
- Fixes incorrect sampling when using multiple GPUs with mixed render priorities
- Fixes emitter sampling of animated meshes
- Fixes mix material in the AO/wireframe info channel kernels
- Enables PMC for Maxwell 2 GPUs
- Fixes performance regression in PMC kernel introduced with v2.11
- Fixes/improves displacement mapping with negative offsets
- Fixes self-shadowing of objects with matte material
- Fixes post-processing glare
- Switches to a newer version of the network library used for network rendering
- Fixes missing initialization of Winsock library
- Fixes a crash if a daemon gets enabled on the same computer as the master

OctaneRender for 3ds Max is available for Max 2010 to 2015 and costs €459. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for Build 1895 are:
- Fixes Infinity Shader regressions
- Bug-fixes


Plugin Update: Modifiers

Changes for v1.32a are:
- Re-packaged: the previous zipfile contained the wrong plugins for Max 2012-2014


New Plugin: Materials

This is a port of the TGA Physically Based Shader to the new ShaderFX format in Max and Maya.

Features include:
- A real life material based fresnel term
- A substance texture to mimic real-life reflection / refraction
- A roughness texture to define surface structure (smooth/rough)
- Image based lighting via a cube map
- Roughness controlled sharpness of reflections
- Linear shading pipeline
- Transparency support through the Albedo texture alpha channel
- Energy conservation for light amount
- A bundled cheat sheet image with color swatches
- A bundled cube map to get started
- Optional Blended Normals diffuse lighting method
- Shadows with directional and spot lights


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v0.10.0 are:
- Bug-fixes


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v2.4.0 beta are:
- Adds UVW XForm operator
- Adds Export Attributes to allow export of numeric values from nodes
- Segment->Mapping now accepts multiple map channels
- Segment->Mapping, Material and UVW XForm operators work with all render engines and RailClone Tools
- Adds Generator->Limits->Padding (Start/End for Linear, Left/Right/Top/Bottom for Arrays)
- Adds two modes for Generator->Rules->Evenly: Distance and Count
- Improved conform to Surface for very large splines
- Conditional->Vertex can now be used with Default slot
- Display->Use Geometry Shader has been renamed to Use Instancing Engine
- Adds Generator->Cap Holes which is like the Max modifier but it keeps instancing capability
- RailClone Tools->Instantiate copies User Properties, Object ID and wireframe color
- Adds Segments selector to the Quad menu
- The installer now supports multiple Max versions
- Improved detection of hotspot for node wiring
- Style Editor can now be placed on the left side on multi-monitor configurations
- Clipboard file (rcclip.dat) is now stored in a temporary folder
- Adds creation context menu for wires dragged from Clipping Area slots
- Adds auto rename of Parameters and Base Objects on wiring
- Adds result of Arithmetic->Expression on edit dialog
- Wires can be now dragged directly over a node, connecting them to a default slot
- Dragging between nodes outputs now swaps their links
- Nodes with multiple inputs no longer keep empty slots after links deletion
- All nodes now have an On/Off exportable parameter
- Adds multiple wiring support, selecting several nodes of the same type and dragging
- Adds Segment->Right Menu->Clone Multiple
- All boolean parameters are now available for export
- Randomize->Presence and Sequence->Counter parameters are now available for export
- Fixes behaviour of Generator->Align to Path with Corner segments and closed splines
- Position of panels in Style Editor is now saved and restored properly
- Fixes a crash when modifying objects assigned to a segment (Max 2010 and older)
- Removed limits from Generator->Fillet Radius
- Vertex Color channel is now generated only when needed
- A2S Generator->Clipping->Rotation Z now works in local coordinates
- Segments are now updated when their referenced objects are converted to editable mesh
- Generator->Clipping now deletes isolated vertices
- Fixes a rare bug when using no Bend segments at Corners
- Fixes a rare bug with empty segments
- Fixes a problem when moving the cursor on viewports while rendering (V-Ray and Max 2015 only)
- Improved behaviour of Fixed Size with empty Segments
- Segment->Mapping is now aligned correctly when applying random scale
- Clipping Area is now properly updated when Generator is off
- Fixes a bug that disabled Start/End segments when using Base Object->Start/End limits

RailClone Pro is available for Max 9 to 2015 and costs €190. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for Beta 14581 are:
- Adds support for Max 2015


New Plugin: Modelling

refGuides helps to improve and facilitate accurate modelling, and is particularly helpful when modelling architectural scenes in Max. It allows you to create construction lines guides, providing a measurement rule that can be used to accurately position and model objects.

refGuides is available for Max 2013 to 2015 and costs $12.60. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v6.0.2 are:
- Adds full Unicode support


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.1 are:
- Fixes a bug related to global languages

3D PDF Exporter is available for Max 2014. No pricing information is currently available. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling / Animation

Changes for v3.1.0.6 are:
- Fixes disappearing guides and non-working brushes and control points in Edit Guides modifier
- Adds optional notification parameter to 'IsDisplayingRenderHairInViewports' MAXScript function
- Mesh from strands now generates W coordinates when per-strand option is used
- Fixes a sporadic Length modifier crash when the length value is abnormally large
- Fixes a crash when deallocating mesh generated from an XMesh Loader scene
- Surface comb modifier now prints one error message for each invalid face index to the listener

Ornatrix is available for Max 2009 to 2015 and costs $499. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v3.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2015
- The exporter can now automatically detect if vertex colors should be exported
- Fixes an error when exporting textures in non-English packages


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v4.4 are:
- Parametric array can now inherit members from another parametric array
- Para 3d now supports two new types of values: Ray and Quat
- New intersection controller solves Curve/Plane intersection
- New custom controller supports true/false and signed parameter
- Adds invert array function to Array Variable Override controller
- Snapshot node can now generate multiple snapshots at once
- Mesh controller now supports matrix output
- Vector controller now returns Midpoint
- Convert controller can convert different types to/from Ray and Quat values
- Fixes an error when deleting Para 3d nodes
- Load/Save Para 3d nodes functionality has been improved
- Fixes a bug in the Surface controller
- Fixes a few bugs in the 'Attach' functionality of 'Compound' objects
- Fixes a bug in the ring controller (Turn channel was not working)
- Fixes a bug in the Linear controller
- Intersection controller bugs fixed
- Fixes a bug in the curve controller (normal/Bi-normal vector)

Parametric Array is available for Max 2011 to 2015 and costs $150. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Modelling

Deformation Cleaner is a modifier that smooths arbitrary deformations in a model without smoothing the original detail. It can be used as a fast post correction step on top of any deformation.

Benefits include:
- Improve rig deformations
- Achieve better deformations easier and faster
- Simplify your rigging and skinning workflow
- Easily remove mesh stretching

Deformation Cleaner is available for Max 9 to 2015 and costs €40.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v6.1.0 include:
- Adds 'Single key' macros with 'press-and-hold' behaviour
- Adds 'Axis Filters' driver commands
- Adds automatic generation of user-defined driver profiles for programs with no default driver profile
- The add-in can now be installed before or after the application in Max / Maya 2014 and 2015
- Removed default feed in the SpacePilot Pro 'RSS Feeds' applet
- Removed support for Max 9
- All two-button devices now default to radial menus on their buttons
- Improvements to '3Dconnexion Properties' panel user-interface elements
- Adds mouse button actions (L,M,R) to the profile for Siemens PLM NX
- Fixes objects flying off screen when moved simultaneously to 3D mouse navigation in Max
- The 'Shift+CTRL' macro is now implemented correctly
- Fixes a crash bug with 'Virtual LCD', 'Virtual Numpad' and Radial Menu programs
- Fixes 3Dconnexion Viewer not starting if navigation is set to Camera Mode


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v10.7 include:
- Adds support for Max 2013, 2014 and 2015
- Adds support for Maya 2014 and 2015
- Adds support for Alias Studio 2015
- Adds support for Softimage 2015
- Adds support for Photoshop CC
- Adds User Management Commands in the command line tool
- Adds an OpenCMIS Server Connector
- Moves to Apache 2.2.29 for a number of security and stability enhancements

Alienbrain is available for Max 2012 to 2015 and pricing starts at $12,000. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.02.07 are:
- Fixes a bug with generating bug-reports
- Fixes an issue with visibility of some menu items
- Fixes a bug with starting in Max 2010
- Fixes a bug when installing over version 1.xx
- Fixes some minor issues

Project Manager is available for Max 2010 to 2015 and costs $75. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling / Texturing

Changes for v4.3.1 beta are:
- New Area->Boundary Checking mode: Edge creates clean edges automatically
- The installer now supports multiple Max versions
- Distribution->Mapping Channel is no longer reset to zero the first time a scene is loaded
- Fixes a crash bug using Undo after a Surface delete

Forest Pack Pro is available for Max 9 to 2015 and costs €190. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modifiers

Changes for v3.0.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2015
- Upgrade to APEX 1.3.2 and PhysX 3.3.2
- Destruction now supports Neighbor Padding
- Destruction now supports Connect Chunks
- Improved Destruction performance
- Paint Mode - Ignore Backface now works in Orthographic View
- Chunks with zero volume are no longer exported
- Fixes a crash when there are more than 12 simulation sets
- Fixes an Apex Clothing paint crash
- Adds PhysXModRBInterface access to concave / composite shape type meshes
- Concave physical shapes now work
- Fixes a crash in Destruction when child nodes have less texture than parent chunk
- Max no longer crashes when adding child chunks to a destructible
- Fixes the Export panel allowing export with no options selected
- Fixes a crash with invalid nodes when reading clothing type collision shape
- Fixes a special crash when adding bones to Rig in Max 2012
- Joint rotations are now saved / loaded when saving / loading .Rag
- Fixes .Rag loading bugs
- Rebuild debug visualizer when user clicks on Clothing LOD Modifier
- Fixes a crash when skinned bones change for a clothing node
- Fixes a crash with the NodePaintData::Save function
- Adds support for changing clothing material parameters during simulation via script
- Twist limits are now rendered correctly
- Fixes a bug with initial twist angle
- Improved biped Ragdoll generation on thigh-calf and arm-forearm


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v8.2.1 are:
- Fixes dependancies on folders that were not working as intended
- Adds an elapsed rendering time on the nodes view
- The Dispatcher -lic flag on Linux no longer reports a blank host id
- The Linux Dispatcher no longer searches for named interfaces for the host id detection
- You can now change pools on target node jobs
- Fixes a potential crash on the Linux platform and heartbeat handling
- The default AFX template no longer uses the -mp flag for multiprocessing rendering
- Fixes the GetTotalTime() function in the API reporting an incorrect value
- Post job actions are no longer triggered twice when using manual chunk status assignment
- Adds new template entry point OnJobCompleted() that correctly reports the job status
- You can no longer source a .bat file before spawning a process from within a template
- You can now spawn a process using a shell invocation and sourcing the shell environment
- You can now override the maximum chunks requeue count on a template basis
- This version requires a new license and an active maintenance plan

Muster is available for Max 6 to 2015 and costs $85 per node. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v0.9.91 are:
- Fixes a crash when exporting unsupported texture formats or sizes
- Fixes a crash when exporting skins that contained zero-weights
- Minor bug-fixes


Plugin News: 50% discount on all FurryBall products...

Art And Animation Studio are currently running a pre-Black Friday sale on their FurryBall renderer. Up until November 23rd, you can get a 50% discount on all of the different FurryBall licensing options (permanent, rental, upgrades, non-commercial and educational). You can find full details here.


Plugin Update: Particles / Animation

Changes for Build 8.1.2.0192 include:
- Nodes that read from file can now output the last position read in the file
- Adds access to Maxwell sun rotation from Python, Graphs and XML
- And too many bug-fixes to list... a full changelog can be found here

RealFlow 2014 is available for Max 2013 to 2015 and normally costs €2000. From now until December 19th you can get a 25% discount on new licenses and upgrades, details can be found here. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.2 are:
- Adds the ability to hide the rollout from the screen
- You can now measure the angle between two selected faces belonging to one object

Live Measure Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2015 and costs €6.


Plugin Update: Animation

Changes for v1.062 are:
- All shape controllers are now unlocked when you generate a rig
- Adds functions in an extra tab to lock / unlock the shape controller manually

Additional changes to the Cartoon rig:
- Adds a function to manually add 'Transforms options' on a selected controller

LH | Auto-Rig is available for Max 2011 to 2015 and costs €59 (€99 for the Cartoon version).


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for Build 01.11.2014 are:
- Adds support for Max 2015


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for Build 1892 are:
- Bug-fixes


New Plugin: Import / Export

3D PDF Exporter exports solid and wire bodies to a 3D PDF file. It supports color export, and gives you an option to encrypt and secure PDF files with a user password. There is an option to control file size and quality by specifying a precision value. Increasing the precision value will increase the resolution and accuracy of the model as well as the file size. All of the data is compressed which reduces the file size as much as possible.

3D PDF Exporter is available for Max 2014. No pricing information is currently available. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling / Animation

Changes for SP3 are:
- Adds new 'Erase the Affected Lines' option for the Object slice modifier
- Adds a 'Generate Instances' button for instanced geometry
- Adds new 'Flip Normals' option for the standard leaves mesh
- Adds new '2-Sided Leaves' option for the standard leaves mesh
- Adds new '2-Sided Leaves' option for the leaves mesh
- Fixes a load of bugs

GrowFX is available for Max 9 to 2015 and costs $325. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Bitmap I/O

Changes for v4.1.4 are:
- Adds support for Max 2015 and Maya 2015
- Fixes channel order when loading PVR files in Maya
- Increased performance of ETC decompression
- Fixes downscaling issues
- Fixes crash when saving a texture with MIP Maps to a KTX file
- Updated icons to new consistent style
- CLI: Fixes padding argument so it actually pads the metadata
- CLI: Fixes a bug with '-squarecanvas +'
- Updated PVRTC Compressor to version 1.190
- Fixes a bug in PVRTC2 compressor


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.16.3 are:
- Adds support for Max 2015 SP 2 (igame version 17.2.259.0)
- CLI: Updated the command-line
- Blender: Fixed camera export when they are the children of other objects
- Fixes a bug where meshes were split even if materials weren't exported


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v3.18.10 are:
- Fixes a bug that position-offset the cages
- The OpenEXR importer/exporter now supports Dreamworks lossy compression
- Adds support for GeForce 9XX Maxwell architecture in the CUDA / Optix renderer
- Recompiled using the latest libraries (Optix 3.6.3, JRE 1.8u25, OpenEXR-2.2.0, WebP 0.4.1, NSIS 3.0b)


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.0 are:
- Adds support for multiple Favorites folders
- Favorites can now contain the folders and files
- New View type: Thumbnails & Details
- Increased the loading speed of items
- Increased thumbnail size to 256px
- Reduced the memory footprint
- Adds support for Corona Proxies
- Adds support for Corona IES
- Adds support for Octane IES
- Adds the ability to merge models by double-click
- Adds the ability to assign materials by double-click
- Adds the ability to assign IES-files by double-click
- You can now replace materials with the same name in the library when pasting

Project Manager is available for Max 2010 to 2015 and costs $75. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Animation

MotionFX is a commercial MAXScript for motion graphics and visual effects in Max.

Features include:
- Intuitively designed interface
- Dynamically triggered animations
- Every 3D object is animatable
- Custom anchor point control
- Control over positioning of 3D objects
- Control over rotation of 3D objects
- And much more...

MotionFX is available for Max 2008 to 2015 and costs $25.45.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v2.50 are:
- Adds a new Presets system
- Includes 100 new presets in 10 categories
- Region and Volume optimization
- Random Material optimizations
- Transforms and material variations on sub-object level
- Other small bug fixes and optimizations+

ATiles Pro is available for Max 7 to 2015 and costs €25. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v6.2.1.50 include:
- Adds support for After Effects CC 2014, Cinema 4D 16, Fusion 7, Nuke 9 and Realflow 2014
- Adds a workaround to prevent Max 2015 from crashing when rendering as a service
- Backported some RTT and other miscellaneous fixes from Deadline 7
- [PREVIEW] job can now enable/disable its parent dependency to the [REMAINING] frames job
- Adds some new sanity checks to SMTD
- And much much more... a full changelog can be found here

Deadline is available for Max 2010 to 2015 and costs $185 per node. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Animation

Pro Bezier Assist (PBA) is a whole new of setting up your animation curves in Max. Instead of fiddling with Bezier handles in the curve editor you can now work as an artist instead of as a mathematician. Create an easy slow-down, ramp up a segment, turn sharp corners into relaxed bends, it does all of this and more without adding extra keyframes. It will always keep curves free from unwanted bumps, wobbles or hiccups, and can operate on every parameter that is driven by a Bezier controller, so not only transforms but 99% of the animatable modifier and object parameters as well.

Pro Bezier Assist is available for Max 2012 to 2015 and costs €7.50. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Texturing

This commercial MAXScript allows you to quickly drag and drop textures to multiple slots of a material at once using just your viewport. The material is then applied to the object on which you dropped the texture, allowing you to texture your scene in a fraction of the time normally needed. It works with Standard (Scanline), MentalRay (Arch&Design) and VRay materials.

Texture Dropper Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2015 and costs €11.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v6.037 are:
- Viewport preview append '_preview_' now works as expected
- Backburner manager disconnection timing has been modified
- Fixes BB submissions if [networksubmit] isn't set
- Adds a new ini lookup (RenderPassManager.ini) for the temp dir for network submits
- Fixes the Backburner submit-as option

RPManager is available for Max 9 to 2015 and costs $300. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Animation

3dCutout is a collection of MAXScripts that allow you to produce cutout animations. 3dCutout converts Max into a user-friendly software with a load of new tools to help you create your own cutout animation, among them a Photoshop to Max exporter and a Character Generator rigging tool.

3dCutout is available for Max 2011 to 2015 and costs $250. A demo version is available here.


Site News: Programmers needed...

I've recently had two separate requests from people looking for a programmer that can write a renderer for Max. One of the requests is adapting existing code to work in Max, the other I'm not sure.

If you're a programmer looking for a new challenge, then let me know and I'll pass the mails straight on to the interested parties.


Plugin Update: Modelling / Animation

Changes for v3.1.0.4 are:
- Guides from guide mesh modifier now accepts cylindrical hairs from the Mesh from Strands modifier
- Fixes a crash selecting vertices in an EdMesh modifier added below a surface comb modifier
- Fixes guides from mesh and hair from guides modifier re-generating roots unnecessarily
- Fixes a hang when guides from mesh modifier are applied to a surface with 0 area
- Fixes the Symmetry modifier not preserving render settings

Ornatrix is available for Max 2009 to 2015 and costs $499. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Modelling

Random Master is an interactive realtime tool for randomization in Max. With just a few clicks you can create thousands of unique objects.
The tool allows you to randomize the following:
- Position
- Rotation
- Scale
- Material maps
- UVW Mapping gizmo
- Keyframes
- FFD modifier points
- Noise
- Selection of objects
- Selection of faces/vertices/edges
- Material ID

Random Master is available for Max 2010 to 2015 and costs $9.99.


Plugin Update: Controllers

Changes for v1.0.6 are:
- Fixes some issues related to copying keyframes in Max 2015


Plugin Update: Texturing

Changes for v6.0 include:
- Completely new UI
- Images for Layers - just like your favorite 2D paint application
- Create any number of layers, change blending modes and strengths for ultimate texture compositions
- Adds thumbnail images with names under them for your maps
- New concave shading / convex highlighting / normalize display modes for Selection Touchup Brush
- Adds support for DazStudio DUF and Poser PP2 files
- CR2 and PP2 file importer now supports all 'simple' map assignments in the Poser shader tree
- Updated Quick Render View to support all channels, including glossy
- Unlimited display groups are now allowed in Blacksmith3D PRO
- MAT/CR2 export can now export a complete package to a Runtime in one simple step
- New 'Angle:' parameter to rotate the brush tip
- Displacement map strengths from imported CR2 files are now preserved
- Blacksmith3D's Texture Transformer is now included in the PRO version

Blacksmith3D is available for Max 9 to 2015 and costs $209.95 (Pro version) / $109.95 (Standard version). A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.60 are:
- Improvements to separated objects containing lights (AC18 required)
- Improvements to light names (AC18 required)
- Improvements to camera hierarchies
- Fixes the separated objects memory error
- Fixes a problem with the installer

Din3D Importer is available for Max 2010 to 2015 and costs €59. A demo version is available here.