MAX Plugins.de News Archive

Archived Plugin News  –  February 2006
 

New Plugin: mental ray Shaders

This is an output shader for performing tone-mapping on your rendered images. For a full description of the settings look in the mental ray helpfile under 'Functions for shaders / IMG Functions'.

The Include file for Max can be downloaded here.


Site News: New function added...

I've added a 'Report broken link' function to everything in the database. Hopefully this will cut down on dead links here. Dave


New Plugin: mental ray Shaders

JS_Place3dTexture is a MentalRay version of the Maya place3dtexture node to control positioning, scale and rotation of a 3d texture. It's mostly meant for use outside Maya (eg. in Max) since the built-in node works fine in Maya.


Plugin Update: mental ray Shaders

Changes for v2.0 are:
- Uses a different noise algorithm
- Can now be toggled between object space and world space
- Needs a place3dtexture node attached to control positioning, scale and rotation


New Plugin: mental ray Shaders

This output shader stamps text onto a frame or pass, and can also automatically stamp the frame number.

The Include file for Max can be downloaded here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.6.14 are:
- Adds a native exporter plugin for Max 8

The whole application has a load of fixes and new features, the list above only contains the Max exporter changes. For a full overview of all changes, look here.

The Granny SDK is available for Max 5 to 8, and costs $12,500.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v0.9.3pre3 are:
- Adds (untested) support for Architectural materials
- Adds installation support for Max 8
- Fixes exporting of the StateSet Helper


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for this version are:
- fbxmaxexp.dle and fbxmaximp.dli files are now combined in one file called fbxmax.dlu
- Version information is now available in the DLL Properties
- Fixes a problem with importing UV textures
- Target object import has been fixed

The link above is for the Max 8 version of the plugin. You can get the Max 7 version here.


New Plugin: mental ray Shaders

This very useful shader allows you to assign different materials for reflection, refraction, transparency, final gathering, shadows etc. It can also be used to speed up final gathering by using a simplified material for the FG precomp, and then using your actual material for the render.

The Include file for Max can be downloaded here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.22 are:
- Fixes an authorization bug

The commercial Pro version has also been updated, it's also available at the above link.


Plugin Update: Materials

Changes for v2.0 are:
- No real changes, this is a rewrite of the old plugin and should be faster


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v3.40 are:
- Minor bug-fixes

Power Solids and Power Translators are available for Max 4 to 8, and cost $495. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.40 are:
- Minor bug-fixes

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


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.08 are:
- Recompiled using the new 3DXI interface from Autodesk
- A number of bug-fixes

The link above is for the Max 8 version, if you need the Max 7 version you can get it here.


Site News: New blog...

I've just set up a blog, hopefully it will come in useful for feedback relating to the site. You can find it here, and there is also a link on the left. Dave


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v8.5 are:
- Adds Polygon Cruncher batch mode
- Adds 'Replace thumbnail' feature
- Triangulate, Convert to Patch, Convert to Polygonal Object commands now scriptable
- Adds multi-selection on objects or materials
- And much much more...

For a full list of changes and bug-fixes for this release, look here.

3D Photo Browser is available for Max 3 to 8, and costs $49. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v1.7.0 are:
- Adds independent animations and coordinate interpolator with normals

Octaga Exporter is available for Max 5 to 8, and costs €236. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Objects

BButterfly creates high quality textured and easily animated 3D models of butterflies. It can create more than 200 buttferflies at the moment. The plugin comes with 4 butterflies, other butterflies can be purchased for $10 each.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.0 are:
- Access to DX Material Shader data
- Access to sub-object animation
- Redesign of IGameProperty algorithms
- Improved Mesh and Skin functionality
- Improved XRef interface
- Fixed memory leak in the XML Exporter
- COLLADA importer / exporter compliant with 1.4.0 specifications
- Adds a utility to bake all procedural maps into bitmaps

The link above is for the Max 8 version, if you need the Max 7 version you can get it here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v4.36 are:
- VR4MAX Translator now supports ArchVision RPC 3.11.4.0
- HUDs now work with extensions such as .x, .y, .z, and .red, .green, .blue
- Old Look At option renamed to Sprite
- Adds a true Look At option
- Fixes helper dialogs with incorrect labels
- Fixes a crash when exporting RPCs
- Fixes a bug when exporting camera targets
- Fixes a bug with RPCs with additional billboarding flags

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


Plugin Update: mental ray Shaders

Changes for v2.9 are:
- Adds 'Trace Depth' parameter to p_scatter_wrap shader
- Modified scattering algorithm in p_scatter_wrap shader
- Adds 'Premultiply Alpha' parameter to p_z shader
- Adds p_OpenEXR_saver output shader for multichannel EXR files
- p_MegaTK now calls environment when max reflection/refraction depth is reached
- p_MegaTK renders reflections/refractions faster
- Adds 'Add to Original Normal' parameter to p_MegaTK bump
- Fixes bump problem in p_MegaTK shader
- Adds 'Attenuation Type' to p_SpotTK and p_PointTK light shaders


New Plugin: mental ray Shaders

The Blender shader blends colors together similar to Photoshop layers. You have an upper layer that can be blended on top of a base layer. It is possible to set the upper layer opacity and enable/disable the alpha channel for either layer.

The Include file for Max can be downloaded here.