MAX Plugins.de News Archive

Archived Plugin News  –  January 2021
 

Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v3.0.36 are:
- Fixes a Max bug where user data override did not work correctly for instanced proxies
- Fixes a Max UI issue in Max 2021.3 which resulted in RenderView being offset in its window frame
- Changes local plugin configuration defaults in Max to enable RenderView high-DPI awareness
- Changes local plugin configuration defaults in Max to enable Win 10 borderless window adjustment
- Fixes a Maya bug that prevented bump-mapping from working properly
- Adds support for Houdini 18.5.462
- Fixes a Houdini bug related to the light instances transformations
- Fixes the problem with rendered image resets in the RenderView in Houdini
- Fixes the rendering of the AOVs to MPlay while baking textures in Houdini
- Fixes a Katana problem with the motion vectors AOV rendering center time
- Fixes missing instances at the start of IPR mode in Blender
- Fixes a camera offset issue in IPR mode in Blender
- Fixes the Blender 'Show log file' option under Linux
- Fixes the Blender 'Camera Orthographic' and 'User Orthographic' modes for IPR
- Adds Hydra support for H18.5.462
- The default light is no longer included in the proxy files exported by Hydra
- Fixes a Hydra problem with the defaults in the color or vector type render options
- Fixes a Hydra crash when trying to render the non-supported Houdini 'volume' type primitives
- Addresses several Hydra issues with the DOF settings to match the Karma behavior
- Adds Hydra support for Cryptomatte EXR files from the 'rs:cryptomatte' rendervar
- Adds Hydra support for deep rendering EXR files from the 'rs:deep' rendervar
- Adds Hydra support for strands rendering
- Adds Hydra support for the Redshift Sun/Sky light type (can be enabled in the DistantLight LOP)
- Adds Hydra support for the environment, global enviroment and volumetric scattering tint shaders
- Adds 'Reset Snapshot Slider' to the RenderView view menu to reset the comparison slider
- Fixes a RenderView issue if you moved the A/B slider off the RV view you couldn't get it back
- Fixes a RenderView issue where the CoC radius circle was not being drawn correctly when zooming
- Fixes a RenderView issue in C4D where the RV's curve controls result would not match the PV's
- Fixed a RenderView crash when shutting down 3ds Max
- Fixes a RenderView issue where the White Point between the C4D PV and the RV didn't match
- Fixes a RenderView issue where the snapshots panel was closing when resizing the RV in Houdini
- Fixes a RenderView crash that could occur in Houdini when rendering due to OCIOs
- Fixes a RenderView bug where the Houdini GUI locked up when the RV is docked and you right-click
- Improves the performance of texture processing to rstexbin format
- Adds a 'sheen' lobe to the Redshift Material shader
- Adds a new 'UVProjection' shader
- Fixes a bug that could result in corrupted light group emission AOVs when volumes are present
- Made the 'DL inf loop detected' logic smarter to lower warning messages for complicated scenes
- Fixes a bug that caused dirty-looking ray-traced SSS light group AOVs when many samples are used
- Fixes a bug that made non-VDB volume grids render color channels incorrectly
- Fixes a bug that prevented the 'Subsurface scattering enable' override from working
- Fixes a bug that made light properties act strangely in IPR mode after enabling/disabling lights
- The OptiX denoiser kicks in sooner for progressive-rendered scenes using a low number of passes
- Fixes a bug that could cause dark-looking point-based SSS
- Fixes a bokeh texture undersampling bug
- Fixes a bug that prevented volumes from rendering when more than 8 puzzle-mattes are output
- The OptiX denoiser now uses tiling, allowing it to work with higher-res images without crashing
- Fixes a bug that caused noisy 'double lighting' when using portal lights with dome lights
- Fixes a bug that could cause noisy lighting for blended materials
- Warning messages are now output when UDIM/UVTILE textures can't be found for proxies

Redshift is available for Max 2013 to 2021 and costs $500. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Particles

Changes for v0.16104 beta are:
- Adds $tySwitcherIndex as a path symbol to the Export Particles operator
- Adds MXS functions to submit PRT/tyCache jobs to Deadline from the Export Particles operator
- Adds a GetParentID function to the Script operator
- Adds a 'Direction to Target' vector option to the Custom Properties operator
- Adds a 'Distance to Target' float option to the Custom Properties operator
- Adds timing/filter rollouts to the Shape Remove operator
- Adds an 'On Shape Vertices' mode to the Spawn operator
- Adds a line offset option to the Display Data operator
- Fixes a crash when a tyActor referenced deleted/missing particles in a cache or flow
- Vastly improves tyConform modifier performance on input splines with a huge number of knots
- Fixes improper results when putting a tyParticleSkin on a mesh with underlying deformations
- Improves performance of the Modify Bindings operator on large collections of binds
- Fixes an issue where the Display Data operator was not displaying correct radius values
- Fixes a Max crash if a particle hits a PhysX Mesh collider when CUDA is enabled
- Improves PhysX performance when not using an operator reliant on contact reporting


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v15.03 are:
- 3DBrowser now keeps the selection when modifying the quick filter
- 3DBrowser now keeps the Y-UP or Z-UP settings for each file
- Fixes 3DBrowser registration failing if run in 3DBrowser Pro mode and vice versa
- 3DBrowser can now run on Windows 7
- The Ghostscript setup is now always recognized, which fixes PDF preview fails
- 3DBrowser now keeps the history of directories in case of a crash
- 3D viewer now uses the FBX SDK 2020.2
- Improves OBJ export of scenes containing non-ascii characters in node or texture names
- Improves GLTF export (embedded textures, compliance, texture breaks, string conversion problems)
- 3DS exports are now correctly reimported
- Fixes orbital rotation sometimes switching to free mode when opening a file in 3D viewer

3D Browser for 3D Users is available for Max 2013 to 2021 and costs $89. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Modifiers

Spline Check is a free diagnostic plugin that can identify and display open splines in the viewport, display the number of total segments of the spline and detect spline self-intersections.


New Plugin: Modelling

Shell Pro is a modifier that creates a shell around models without causing self-intersections unlike the standard Shell modifier which produces a lot of self-intersections. Surface details are also preserved very well. Additionally it has options for chamfering, filleting and beveling the edge of the shell.

Shell Pro is available for Max 2013 to 2021 and costs €40.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.222 are:
- New RenderOutputVRay pmod allows you to have 3 outputs from one V-Ray render
- Adds a new rsUserPreSubmitFn function
- Adds an option for custom BackBurner IP/Name in Preferences
- Pass groups now have a prefix {g} in the treeview
- You can now sort passes alphabetically in the right click menu
- Adds a Camera select button to the Camera pmodifier
- Adds a function to open in the built-in Image Viewer after multi preview
- Adds a function to add the selection from SE for layer type in LightOn and Material
- Adds new rsRenamer to the right-click menu for preview list
- V-Ray framebuffer region is now automatically turned off for local and network render submission
- Adds proper Max Region Render support to the Deadline pmodifier
- Saving renderStacks data files now automatically adds a .xml extension
- Adds undo support to rsRenamer
- Drag and drop operation has been refactored
- You can now re-order pmodifiers in ::base
- The height of the Save Pass dialog will no longer become bigger than the monitor resolution
- Adds paste functions to Pass right click
- Local render or network render submission can now change the 'Lock to Viewport' status
- Duplicated V-Ray properties have been excluded from the RendererParams pmodifier
- Changes the way that unfound / invalid properties are displayed
- Improves the output token extension check
- Fixes the RenderOutput/RenderOutputVRay token preview
- Fixes the render output preview above the render button
- The Renderer pmod > Capture button now works
- Fixes Obj Set UI scale
- Fixes the Obj Set editor from crashing if you created a new Obj Set
- Fixes the <YYYY> token
- Drag and dropping a passgroup now works
- The default Obj Set name will no longer include a '/' when the pass is under a pass group
- Fixes renderStacks crashing if the user typed a wrong type value for properties
- Obj Set visibility code has been completely refactored
- Fixes BackBurner crashing when the frame range was set to single frame
- Fixes an RPM Converter crash
- Adds Overscan and Pixel Aspect Ratio override to rsPrvRender

renderStacks is available for Max 2015 to 2021 and costs $59.99 per year. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Particles

Changes for v0.16103 beta are:
- tyActors can now take raw tyFlow/tyCache particles as input
- You can import entire PhysX setups into other flows
- PhysX Bind tyActor mode now can filter imported binds by ID
- Adds clustering options to the Property Test operator neighbors test
- Adds a 'first sibling' option to the siblings mode of the Set Target operator
- Adds a checkbox to the Cloth Bind operator so you can disable particle mass override
- The Property Transfer operator now has a 'cluster transfer' option
- The Property Transfer operator now has an 'absolute' value transfer mode
- Adds spline relax settings to the tySplineCache modifier
- Adds an option to the tyParticleSkin modifier to respect vertex selections
- Adds a 'Delete' option to the operator test actions
- Adds the ability to set operator 'test TRUE action' from the operator right-click menu
- The Script operator now has tfBind functions to control bind breaking
- The tyFaceExtrude operator now has segmentation options
- Adds an enable/disable filters option to the operator right-click menus
- The tyProperties modifier now has a setting to assign particle mass
- Adds GetParticleMassByIndex to the tyParticleObjectExt interface and the tyFlow MXS interface
- Copy+pasted events now retain their connections and relative positioning
- Fixes an issue where the CCCS repulsion multiplier value had no effect
- Improves performance of the tyConform modifier on input splines with huge numbers of points
- Fixes the way inflation normalization works in the Modify Bindings operator
- Fixes filters not working correctly when one or more were disabled and then re-enabled
- Improves simulation reset time for PhysX systems with many stored collision contact points
- Fixes an issue where meshes derived from splines with only 2 knots could crash Max
- Fixes a bug where putting a Smooth operator before a Cloth Bind operator could cause a crash


Plugin Update: Texturing

Changes for v3.2e are:
- New Bitmap to UV function transfers bitmap transformations to UV (tiling, offset, rotation)
- Collapse to Poly can now be disabled in settings
- Adds UnwrapPro support for transferring a selection to a new modifier
- Improves Rw to Tiling, with support for bitmap offset and rotation
- Planar Mapping now uses weighted normals calculation
- Fixes a bug when relax was cancelled with ESC and the next relax was run with 1 iteration only

UV Tools is available for Max 2013 to 2021 and costs $20.


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.4.1m are:
- Adds a new sun/sky model
- Fixes projections updating incorrectly

FStormRender is available for Max 2014 to 2021 and costs €20; per month. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v7.1.4.26564 are:
- Fixes a Clumper crash when using external guides without strand ID's
- Fixes a crash when creating strands in Edit Guides from Strands with varying point counts
- Fixes errors that caused scenes with clumper to assert during load
- Fixes the propagation guides flickering
- Fixes a crash in Hair from Guides when using strand distribution channnel and guide rotations
- Fixes Guides from Mesh always having strand ID's enabled even when outputting 0 strands
- Internal changes to baked hair/guides serialization

Ornatrix is available for Max 2014 to 2021 and costs $599. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v2.2.1 are:
- Fixes the drives list update

OutFiler is available for Max 2012 to 2021 and costs $10.


Plugin Update: Utilities

Changes for v1.07 are:
- Enlarges the data column to handle more digits

Spline Data is available for Max 2012 to 2021 and costs $4.


Plugin Update: Modelling

Changes for v1.00.36 are:
- Adds support for DWG files
- Adds Spanish localization
- Fixes an issue with adding a directory with default shapes
- Fixes some minor issues

Sweep Profile Pro is available for Max 2014 to 2021 and costs $9.38. A demo version is available here.


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.50 are:
- Adds support for Max 2021


Plugin Update: Particles

Changes for v0.16100 beta are:
- Fixes tyBind local transforms not factoring in pivot point changes to input objects
- Fixes the Spread operator's noise function not spreading properly in 3 dimensions
- Fixes the PhysX Bind operator limits not functioning the same way they used to
- Fixes an issue where multiple PhysX joints could be created between the same two particles
- Fixes an issue where tyBind bounding boxes were not generating correctly
- Fixes an issue where tyBind twist limits sometimes didn't produce a correct result
- Stretch/compress controls have been enabled for PhysX Bind tether settings
- Operators which import FumeFX data should now respect the FumeFX 'start frame' offset setting


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v0.60 alpha are:
- Adds support for massive out-of-core particles/instances
- Out-of-core polygon scene rendering is 3-4x faster than the previous version
- Direct TyFlow support with memory savings due to instancing, particle motion blur and attributes
- Adds a Shuffle shader node to permute color channels
- Fixes AOV image output for animated video sequences
- Fixes a couple of crash bugs which appeared rarely and randomly
- Adds Spherical/Panoramic camera support (in renderer settings)
- Fixes spot light numeric issues, they now also render much faster
- Directional/infinite light source now collaborates with portals for faster interior renders


Plugin Update: Renderers

Changes for v1.4.1l are:
- Environment direct lighting + portal combination has been optimized
- Fixes incorrect displacement animation
- Fixes incorrect volumetric objects animation

FStormRender is available for Max 2014 to 2021 and costs €20; per month. A demo version is available here.


New Plugin: Modelling

Mesh Contrast is a modifier for that enhances the details of your models. The effect can be controlled by soft selection or vertex paint. It allows you to quickly add contrast to your models or highlight specific areas of your models by adding contrast there only. It can enhance sculpts, scans or every day models, and saves time and energy by not having to redo a sculpt or a model.

Mesh Contrast is available for Max 2013 to 2021 and costs €30.


Plugin Update: Particles

Changes for v0.16100 beta are:
- Adds a tyBind helper object to specify the location of PhysX binds on input tyActor rigidbodies
- The Modify Bindings and Modify PhysX operators can now adjust bind break thresholds
- tyCache objects now automatically disable viewport / render instancing if modifiers are present
- Adds a 'convert input to mesh' override to tyParticleSkin
- Fixes a tyParticleSkin crash if input particles did not have assigned meshes
- Fixes an issue where Script operators could not assign UVW values to mapping channel 0
- Fixes the Particle Bind CCCS radius value from being accidentally treated as a diameter value
- tyParticleSkins imported into tyActors now display their skinned meshes in the resulting flow
- Fixes an issue where Max could crash when doing threaded deletions of native Mesh pointers
- Fixes a Modify Bindings operator crash if it modifies tearable cloth with aerodynamic forces
- Deprecates the 'tyActor node properties' rollout in tyActor helpers
- Fixes an issue where the Speed operator noise value was not acting as an additive multiplier
- tyCache objects set to render as meshes no longer still render as instances in V-Ray


Site News: Happy New Year!

I'd like to wish all visitors to the site a Happy New Year, and all the best for 2021! I hope that everyone made it through 2020 without major damage, and I really hope that 2021 will be an improvement over last year...

Dave


Plugin Update: Import / Export

Changes for v2.01 are:
- Fixes an After Effects issue when exporting from a composition with a non-integer frame rate
- Fixes an After Effects issue when exporting layers without a Camera
- Some minor improvements

AE Transfer is available for Max 2014 to 2021 and costs $9.


New Plugin: Modelling

Push Pro is a modifier that pushes vertices outwards or inwards while preventing self-intersections from occurring, unlike the standard Push which produces a lot of self-intersections. Surface details are also preserved very well. Global intersections may still occur for high push values.

Push Pro is available for Max 2013 to 2021 and costs €30.