MAX Plugins.de News Archive

Archived Plugin News  –  July 2021
 

Site News: No updates for the next few weeks

I'm going to be out of the office for the next two weeks, so I won't be able to update the site much in that time. Keep on sending any news items or updates that you think I should know about, I'll post everything when I get back.

When I get back I will hopefully be posting a load more recompiled plugins for Max 2022. I've pretty much finished all of the Peter Watje plugins and a number of others as well.

Dave


Plugin Updates: Plugin recompiles for Max 2022 from Grant Adam

Grant Adam has recompiled all of his freeware and commercial plugins for Max 2022. A list of what is available can be found here.


Plugin Update: Modifiers

Changes for v2021.7.22 are:
- Adds support for Max 2021 and 2022


Plugin Update: Particles

Changes for v0.16125 beta are:
- Adds more sibling align options to the Rotation operator
- tyParticleInterface has been updated to v2
- Fixes a regression which prevented tySelect's face selections mode from working
- Fixes a possible circular dependency error in the Export Particles operator
- Fixed an issue where the Shell operator was corrupting particle volume computations
- Flows with looping events are no longer static, even if they only contain static operators
- Fixes a bug where the tySplineMesher modifier couldn't be instanced across multiple splines
- tyCollections no longer import other tyCollections set to import objects of their same layer
- Fixes an issue where the CCCS thickness was internally clamped to a min value of 0.01
- Fixes an issue where spinners weren't showing values in scene units
- Fixes an issue where the tyActor animation list didn't have a vertical scrollbar
- Fixes an issue where inside/outside tests of the tyConform modifier caused massive slowdowns
- Fixes an issue where PhysX calculations still occurred in a flow with disabled PhysX ops
- Fixes a regression where the 'in order' mode of the Collision operator wasn't working
- Improves performance of the Birth Flow operator


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v3.15.31 are:
- Adds the ability to automatically create dome lights when dropping HDRI files onto the viewport
- Spherical mapping is now the default for texture maps used in an environment or dome light
- Adds the ability to reassign images used on selected dome lights
- Adds the ability to convert images to TX format
- Extends the search options in Categories
- Adds support for keeping the hierarchy when replacing
- Adds support for undo when replacing objects
- The Redshift Bitmap is now used by default for Redshift renderer
- A confirmation dialog is now displayed when overwriting an existing proxy file
- Adds new API methods PMStructureInfo.GetDescription() and PMStructureInfo.UpdateDescription()
- Adds a new API struct to manage Categories
- Fixes an issue with resetting the V-Ray VFB when rendering a preview
- Fixes a bug with setting paths for links containing illegal characters
- Fixes an issue with execution of some commands in Max 2022.1
- Fixes an issue with dropping materials to Slate Material Editor in Max 2022
- Fixes an issue with importing large databases to MySQL
- Fixes an issue with using the API method 'GetSelectedItemsInfo()' for materials
- Fixes an issue with displaying information on texturemaps in the status bar for some Max files
- Fixes a minor issue with paint in a scene with 3D models using the '3ds Max Paint Settings'
- Some other optimizations and speed improvements

Project Manager is available for Max 2014 to 2022 and normally costs $60. For a limited time you can get a license for $45. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v3.0.0 are:
- The minimum supported version of Max is now 2016
- Adds new edition PRO FStorm
- Removes edition PRO Octane
- Redesigns around 900 materials in 29 categories for Corona and V-Ray
- Adds new textures and fixes some older ones
- Adds a new material presets library for FStormRender
- Adds Lab scenes for FStormRender
- Fixes a crash that could occur during render material preview
- Fixes a crash that could occur during import material preview image
- Fixes render preview and Manager core memory leaks
- Various bug-fixes
- Updates the licensing libraries

XS Material Presets Pro is available for Max 2016 to 2022 and costs €180.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v7.0 are:
- Adds a new Physical Material for greater realism
- Updates Corona Sky to use the PRG Clear Sky model with a number of improvements
- Updates to the Material Library with a new Masonry category and updates to other categories
- Faster rendering from 5 to 50% thanks to several rendering speedups
- Updates the Corona Converter to easily convert to the new Physical Material
- And many other fixes and improvements... a full list can be found here

Corona Renderer is available for Max 2014 to 2022 and costs €289.99 per year. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v3.0.50 are:
- Max now uses GPU rendering of PostFX when outputting to file
- Fixes a Max crash and/or corrupt previews when enabling viewport preview for RS Bitmap
- Cancelling or closing the Redshift Color Picker in Max now restores the original color
- Fixes a Max issue in Redshift Color Picker where changes did not get pushed to the Undo stack
- Fixes a Max issue where default color management settings were not fully applied at startup
- Fixes a Max issue in CME where switching between maps / materials did not update UI controls
- Fixes a Max bug where Use OCIO File Rules was not applied when rendering material shader balls
- Fixes a Max bug where color management was not correctly applied to file output
- PostFX / RV 'Apply to File Output' option now applies sRGB to non-HDR files
- PostFX / RV 'Enable PostFX' option now applies color management when disabled
- Gamma associated with input color space in Max is no longer disabled when using Auto color space
- Legacy scene upgrading now only happens after Maya has loads the files color management settings
- Fixes a bug with legacy OCIO scenes in Maya resetting the color management settings
- Undeleting Maya nodes that have inherited invisibility is now handled correctly
- Exporting of Maya MASH instancers now correctly handles export of dependent proxy mesh nodes
- Mesh instances using the same mesh shape as a light mesh are now handled correctly
- Adds Maya support for the new 'Enable legacy black body and dispersion technique' option
- Old legacy render layers are now handled correctly in Maya
- Fixes a Maya issue with intervening nodes between a proxy node and its placeholder mesh node
- Fixes a Maya issue with cached particle instancing not rendering correctly
- Maya now correctly identifies when a scene is referenced and handles creation of OSL shaders
- Fixes a Maya visibility issue with specific instances
- Fixes a visibility issue in Maya with MASH instancers and associated instance/template meshes
- Fixes a C4D crash when disabling a Sun light connected to a Sky object
- Adds support for Houdini 18.5.633 and drops support for 18.5.532
- Adds Houdini support for photographic exposure, postfx, color correction to render maps baking
- Fixes a sync problem between the RenderView and camera nodes OCIO parameters in Houdini
- Fixes computation of normals for strands objects in Houdini
- Adds Hydra support for Solaris 18.5.633 and drops support for 18.5.532
- Adds Hydra support for focal length motion blur
- Adds Hydra support for the visibility and matte flags at the instance level
- Fixes a Hydra crash related to the viewports denoising
- Fixes a Hydra crash related to the instances primvars extraction
- The instance arrays feature in Katana now supports multiple shapes from a single location group
- Fixes a Katana problem while instancing non-group parent types like 'representation'
- Fixes a RenderView issue where multi-part EXRs would not load AOVs correctly
- Fixes a redshiftCmdLine bug which caused selected compute devices to not be properly honored
- Adds a workaround for rare Metal SSS-related asserts
- Fixes a bug with random GPU crashes when rendering shader balls with the OptiX denoiser enabled
- Fixes the OCIO display/view transform computing incorrect colors with high intensity colors
- Fixes a bug that could make mesh lights produce noisy results on surfaces
- Fixes a bug that would knock out mesh light single scattering when GI is enabled
- Adds a new legacy global option for black body and dispersion techniques
- Dispersion wavelength colors and IOR are now physically correct
- Black body color is now physically correct (light temperature)
- Fixes a bunch of bugs related to dispersion and dispersion caustics
- Fixes a bug that could cause incorrect internal shadows for thin-walled objects

Redshift is available for Max 2013 to 2022 and costs $500. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v3.3.0.12908 are:
- Adds Unreal Engine 4 integration v0.9.0 supporting 4.25.x and 4.26.x
- Adds 'Export Assets to Connecter' function to the Content Browser's context menu
- Add CUAP (Connecter Unreal Assets Package) as a 3d file format in Connecter
- Add various commands to the Connecter context menu when a CUAP asset is right-clicked
- Adds UE Asset meta-data to the Connecter Details panel when a CUAP is selected
- Fixes the Connecter script manifest in Max not updating for some users
- Fixes an issue where updating the Max integration to version 2.80.04 caused error messages
- Fixes recent Max issues that blocked drag & drop and prompted error messages
- Adds support for Cinema 4D S24
- Improves C4D error logging for support purposes
- Composite C4D materials not directly applied to objects are now exported to Connecter
- Fixes a C4D error choosing 'Existing preview' with the preview path in the destination folder
- Fixes C4D missing children's materials on export to Connecter
- Fixes C4D losing instances source on export
- Fixes various C4D issues with exporting instances


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.4.3c are:
- Adds physical material conversion
- Adds FStormFur random bend octaves
- Adds a cast shadows option to FStormLight
- You can now keep reflections/refractions in mask rendering
- Fixes a crash in case of incorrect geometry

FStormRender is available for Max 2014 to 2022 and costs €20 per month. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Modelling

Smooth Bridge is able to bridge two open edgeloops in a very smooth way, even with an uneven edge count. This version presents a completely new joining algorithm which can seamlessly bridge two loops with notably different shapes. It was previously available as a part of the Smooth Boolean plugin, but now it is available as a separate plugin.

Smooth Bridge is available for Max 2015 to 2022 and costs €35.


Plugin Update: Modelling / Animation

Changes for v7.2.4.28112 are:
- Fixes the inability to add guides with the brush or plant tool on polygon meshes
- Fixes scenes with Hair from Guides Remember Roots from V6 producing incorrect hair in V7
- Internal changes and improvements

Ornatrix is available for Max 2014 to 2022 and costs $599. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.75.00 are:
- Adds a new method to speed up reading image size and color depth
- Fixes a bug showing wrong image sizes in some jpgs
- Fixes the drag and drop material from 'Material by'

Bitmap Tracking/Resizing is available for Max 2009 to 2022 and costs $18. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v3.0.49 are:
- Updates the bundled Scene Converter in Max to v0.30
- Max Color Management settings show an empty selection if OCIO config is missing the color space
- If rendering in Max with an invalid rendering color space, a warning is now issued
- Fixes a C4D crash issue relating to color management
- Fixes a C4D issue leading to incorrect ramp colors under certain conditions
- Fixes a C4D bug where certain OCIO configurations would be incorrectly treated as invalid
- Fixes a Houdini crash while rendering in H17.0 and H17.5
- Fixes a Hydra crash and other issues while working with rendervars in the viewports
- Syncronizes camera clip near and far behavior with the native Blender engines
- Adds Blender support for OCIO environment workflow
- Adds a custom config.ocio file adapted to the used Blender OCIO version
- Fixes a RenderView issue where shortcuts to Select Object / Material modes didn't toggle on/off
- Improves the accuracy of OCIO transforms, which fixes the banding issue affecting some scenes
- Fixes a bug that caused Physical Sky shader to disappear when OSL nodes are present in the scene

Redshift is available for Max 2013 to 2022 and costs $500. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v5.10.03 are:
- Adds functionality to add VFB color corrections to all render channels
- The channels in the LightMix UI are now sorted alphabetically
- LightMix should not reset values whenever possible
- Adds a warning for Bitmap map Blur values during the Submit to Chaos Cloud rendering analysis
- Adds a warning for modified texture blurriness during Submit to Chaos Cloud rendering analysis
- The V-Ray App SDK Python 3 binding is now included in the installation
- Replaces the 'Particle Mode' of the Volumetric Shader with single sample probabilistic shader
- Fixes a V-Ray crash in the compact material editor with Shell materials
- Fixes a crash on closing Max 2022
- The DR option Restart servers on render end is now loaded properly
- Loading a scene from the VFB history no longer fails to load the units from the file
- Fixes a crash after render to texture while viewport IPR is running
- Fixes a V-Ray IPR crash when adjusting TextMap during rendering
- Fixes a V-Ray IPR crash when calculating VRayLightMeter/texture baking during rendering
- Fixes a V-Ray IPR crash when rendering with a specific Forest Pack scene having Corona materials
- Fixes Viewport IPR Safe Frame differences with Max 2022 hotfix 1
- V-Ray GPU IPR no longer restarts the entire render when Region render is stopped
- 'vfbcontrol #loadimage' now returns control back to the caller before the image is loaded
- The VFB window no longer moves when loading different sized images on 4K monitors
- Test resolution no longer cuts the rendered image in the Max native frame buffer
- Fixes a significant slowdown when saving a scene and Cosmos communication is blocked by firewall
- The Cosmos browser no longer slows down Max startup when the Internet connection is absent
- VRayBitmap options for disabling texture filtering are no longer ignored
- VRayBitmap user tags now work in file names
- Fixes duplicated slots in the VRayBlendMtl in Slate Material Editor
- Fixes a crash when using Cryptomatte masks in .vrimgs with duplicated Cryptomatte elements
- Fixes wrong cryptomatte manifests if geometries have unsupported symbols in their name
- Fixes adaptive dome light artifacts in scenes with V-Ray Dome and multiple IES lights
- Fixes a VRayProxy crash when enabling Tessellate Hair with Alembic hairs and VRayVRMat material
- Fixes VRayVolumeGrid results with colored transparency/absorption in Volumetric Geometry mode
- Fixes colored lines and artifacts being produced over the z-depth image
- Fixes the .vrscene exporter from sometimes clamping negative texture values
- Fixes blurry results with the NVIDIA AI denoiser
- The Chaos Cosmos service check if running function in the Installer is no longer incorrect

V-Ray is available for Max 2016 to 2022 and costs €1060. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.4.3c are:
- Adds glossy anisotropy for hairs
- Adds reflection IOR
- Fixes a GPU crash with optical zoom

FStormRender is available for Max 2014 to 2022 and costs €20 per month. A demo version is available here.