Changes for v3.19 are:
- Fixes a bug in Max 2009 with vertex colors

Changes for v3.2.5.4441 are:
- Adds BSDismemberPart modifier for selecting Fallout3 Dismemberment Partitions
- Adds custom Niftools Shader (allows setting material and texture properties)
- Number of fixes for Civ4 and Niftools Shader on import and export
- Adds support for multiple UV sets when possible
- Fixes for fallout 3 binormal and tangent export
- Adds option to start nifskope after successful export
- Exposes vertex weld threshold on export dialog
- Set flags to 19840 for NiStencilProperty when 2-sided is checked on material

Changes for v5.7.0.4260 64-bit are:
- Can now load *.cdl and *.dgn files with rhjob
- Issue loading Solidworks assembly now resolved
- Datakit CAD loaders, plugin error - issue now resolved
- Datakit normals fixed
- Deep Exploration 5.7 x64 can now detect and open CGM files
- RHjob is now available to be used for Deep Exploration 5.7 x64
- Shaded wireframe mode now available
- Installation issues resolved
- Plugin load error for drvDX9.x3d resolved
- Spinners are now working in scene, camera, light properties
- No longer crashes when trying to rename a material in the scene tree
- Missing Default tabs on the bottom navigation window - issue resolved
- 'F1' help function is now implemented
- No longer crashes when users make a cut with "Filter resulting cap on"
- Highlight surfaces created are no longer broken and scattered
- Hotspots toolbar now working
- Preview image for 3D HTML templates restored
- Added illustrator to proxy32 solution (for use by pdf publish)
- Ability to export Sketchup files restored
- No longer crashes when updating steps on file
- Can now output a *.avi video in steps
- DX9 redistributable module added
- Deep Exploration 64-bit now running on XP 64-bit
- Installation of Deep Exploration 64 bit now installs sample rh files
- Cortex added to 64-bit version
- Registry moved to DeepExploration57x64 branch
- Changed roll-over of Quick Start icon for Deep Exploration 64-bit
- Dx9 setup displays on install even though it is already installed
- Password Protection for opening 3D PDF is now working
- 3D PDF export setting, external template browse button now works
- No exception error when exporting to 3D PDF with title block template
- Password Protection for opening 3D PDF is now working
- PMI is translated to 3D PDF
- 3D PDF password settings now censored
- Vector illustration as a preview image now working
- Fixes stack corruption caused by inconsistency with buffer length parameters

Deep Exploration CAD Edition is available for Max 4 to 2009 and costs $1995. A demo version is available here.

UV-Packer is a fast and exact UV utility which takes all your UV parts, calculates their sizes and proportions and distributes them in the most optimal way on the UV panel. You no longer need to spend hours moving, rotating and scaling your maps in order to utilize the whole mapping area - UV-Packer does it for you in a second. It not only moves and rotates your UV parts, it also takes the mesh surface area into account and scales the parts independently to provide a uniform pixel distribution. Your models will never again have different texture sizes and therefore varying amounts of texture quality on legs, arms and body textures, since UV-Packer keeps them all even.

UV-Packer is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs €79. A demo version is available here.

MultiTexture Map is a plugin that loads multiple textures and assigns them randomly, either by object or by material ID. It also has controls to randomly adjust the gamma, hue and saturation. It is intended for use with the MultiTextures available at CG-Source.com, a selection of high quality, high-resolution textures for texturing very large areas with no visible tiling.

The SigerShaders are scripted plugins for use with V-Ray v1.5 and higher. At the moment there are 4 different versions of the plugin containing material libraries for the following types of material: Brushed Metal (20 presets), Common Metal (32 presets), Striped Metal (16 presets) and CarPaint (24 presets).

SigerShaders are available for Max 9 to 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit) and cost €12.50.

iCube Creative Group, creators of the very useful VRayScatter plugin, have announced that they are working on a version of the plugin for mental ray users called MentalScatter. It will be available in February 2009 and will have the same functionality as VRayScatter but using mental proxies and mental ray.

Changes for v1.22 are:
- Minor bug-fixes

Changes for v1.0.404 include:
- Incremental changes to visible lights now trigger BSP recalculation correctly
- Fix to support three dimensional texture co-ordinates

Rendition is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs $395. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v5.4 are:
- Automatic environment generation (Voxelization) tools & SDK support
- Voxelization automatically generates a navigation mesh for any object in seconds
- Correlated and automated conversion to AI.implant for a variety of terrain formats
- Support for point features
- Vector support for roads and railways
- Aerials support
- Meta-data support (type of ground/roads)
- Support for Building with Interior Wizard in Creator to automate mark-up of buildings
- WayPointNetwork simplification tools for large networks
- Tile to Tile meta navigation support for large simulation areas
- Level of Detail meta navigation support for even larger areas and dynamic terrain
- Behaviour and solving periodicity wizards and initialization scripts for large entity counts
- STAGE Scenario now has a more complete AI.implant integration
- A new level of human simulation

AI.implant is available for Max 7 and 8 (if anyone knows of other Max versions, please let me know), and costs $4995.

Judging by the Purchase page at the Automatron site, Andy Murdocks character animation system will soon be free, joining the ranks of CAT and Puppetshop. As soon as there are more details, I'll post them here.

Changes for v3.15 are:
- Fixes large shaders messing up their code, causing red wireframes

Autodesk have released a new hotfix for Max 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit) which fixes a problem with activation after December 31 2008, where Max was reporting that the license had expired.

Kees Rijnen strikes again! Just a few days after releasing his commercial plugin PuppetShop for free, he has now made his real-time shader editor ShaderFX free for all individuals and companies smaller then 2 employees, including commercial use.

The free version has the exact same features as the commercial edition, minus a small watermark. Companies larger then 2 employees are still required to buy a commercial license.

Changes for v1.01 are:
- Fixes a crash issue on G8800GTX and all CUDA 1.0 cards

Changes for v1.01 are:
- Adds support for 64-bit Max 9 and 2008

Changes for v1.01 are:
- Fixes normal bump texture map not being applied correctly
- Fixes problems with image file formats that don't support alpha channels
- Adds the option to add the map to the selected map slot with a composite texture map
- Improves License Server handling of multi-client / multi-plugin setups
- Fixes deinstallation of license client dlls
- Adds interoperability enhancements for future releases

Flatiron is available for Max 9 to 2009 and normally costs €249. If you purchase before the end of the month (31.01.09), it will only cost €199. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.8.9.0 are:
- Fixes an alignment problem in the fixed allocator that caused a crash bug
- Fixes a bug in GrannyUpdateWorldPoseChildren which affected the IK solvers
- Fixes GrannyOneNormalizeWeights to correctly set weights for vertices with 0 weight arrays

Granny Exporter is available for Max 6 to 2009, and is part of the Granny Toolkit which costs $12500.

Changes for v4.177 are:
- You can now save a default path for the 'Auto Root Path' and output type
- Adds user-defined custom alerts
- Important fix for the capture property system to cater for slow mouse event calls
- A couple of other tweaks and bug-fixes

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.

Changes for v2.0 are:
- Adds support for animation parameters
- Adds control over crossing objects
- Adds support for animated and procedural maps
- Adds support for Gradient Edge and Color Edge
- Adds the possibility to set rotation parameters on a map
- Adds the possibility to scale each axis by local coordinates
- You can now mix several maps using VRayScatterMask
- You can now set a proxy color, based on the texture of the allocated surface
- Rendernode licenses are now free

VRayScatter is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs €200 for a workstation license. This is a free upgrade for owners of version 1.0. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.8.8.0 include:
- The Granny viewer can now step through the granny_morph_targets of a granny_mesh
- Made the connection between nodes and parameters clearer in the Blend Graph editor
- Granny document generator now links return value types in the same way as parameter types
- Removed useless Offset parameter from GrannyCreateMemoryFileReader
- GrannyClipPositionDOFs and related functions removed from the public API
- Removed the CRC functions from the public API
- Ported over the Granny unit testing from the speculative branch they were stuck on
- Fixes a small bug with seeking a memory-based granny_file_writer
- Fixes a div by zero error in the viewer

Granny Exporter is available for Max 6 to 2009, and is part of the Granny Toolkit which costs $12500.

Changes for v7.2 Build 38524 include:
- Fixes atmosphere preview render when saving atmosphere
- Fixes possible crash when initializating xStream Render Nodes
- xStream plugin no longer re-creates materials on EcoSpecimen after each user action
- Avoid a possible freeze when rendering with several cores
- Fixes a crash when using the Merge command
- Fixes a possible crash when loading scenes with tracked/linked/animated objects
- Plugin no longer displays dialogs / interface when the host application is launched as command-line
- Fixes a possible crash when initializing render nodes
- Avoid exiting the host application if plugin can't launch the xStream core
- Fixes lens flare render when seen on top of Vue sky or native objects
- Fixes natural film response filter when applied on pixels seeing native objects

Vue 7 xStream is available for Max 7 to 2009 and normally costs $1495 for a full license and $595 for an upgrade from Vue 6 xStream. For a limited time you can purchase a full license for $1195 or upgrade for $395. A demo version is available here.

Flatiron is a texture baking plugin for Max which handles multiple objects at once. It produces high quality UV maps using the proven Unwrella technology, which automatically unfolds your models with exact pixel to model surface aspect ratio. Flatiron speeds up your scene baking workflow and improves the texturing quality immensely.

Flatiron is available for Max 9 to 2009 and normally costs €249. If you purchase before the end of the month (31.01.09), it will only cost €199. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0 Beta 3 are:
- Fixes installer problems with user-defined paths in Max
- The installer now properly uninstalls files when Max user-defined path is set
- The installer now warns if installing to a non-empty folder

Hot on the heels of Autodesk giving away CAT to subscription members, Lumonix have announced that as of now Puppetshop is available for free download.

For those who have already purchased Puppetshop, Lumonix are offering a license of SkinFX for half price. You can find all of the details here.

Ken Pimintel from Autodesk has announced on his blog that as of today (January 15th, 2009), all Max subscription customers can download a complete version of CAT (Character Animation Toolkit) compiled for Max 2009 (both 32-bit and 64-bit) for free! Up to now, this plugin was selling for $995. You will be able to download it at the subscription centre.

Changes for v2.0b are:
- Curves in Noise and Gradient are now saved with the scene
- Resetting the gradient now correctly deselects all keys
- Redesigned the Gradient map
- BerconNoise: Fixes a bug that disabled Perlin (Old) noise
- BerconNoise, Tile, Wood: Fixes incorrect subanim names
- BerconTile: Fixes a bug with distortion

Changes for v1.05 are:
- Adds preliminary silent installer support
- Clarified texts in some dialog windows and improved notifications in general
- Adds further security checks and confirmation dialogs to installer to avoid installation problems

Unwrella is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs €99. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0 Beta 2 are:
- Clarified texts in some dialog windows and improved notifications in general
- Adds further security checks and confirmation dialogs to installer to avoid installation problems

Changes for v1.0.402 include:
- Fixes mi_api_parameter_value to correctly support transform declarations
- Adds rendering profiles for XSI 7.0
- Adds support for cylinder area light sources
- Adds support for visible sphere and cylinder area lights
- Adds support for final gather points cache files and associated modes
- Fixes mi_lightmap_edit_end to support blank lightmap filenames

Rendition is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs $395. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0 Beta 2 are:
- Stack modifiers on objects that were skipped before are now evaluated more reliably
- Unwrapping of grouped objects has been improved
- Clarified texts in some dialog windows
- Generated textures now have an alpha channel for areas outside of the charts
- Texture corruptions with normal maps when using certain renderers resolved
- Adds further security checks and confirmation dialogs to installer to avoid installation problems
- A few minor bug-fixes

Changes for v1.43 are:
- Adds 'Voronoi Fragmentation' based on Voronoi diagrams
- Adds 'Fragmentation by Shapes'
- Adds the ability to create shapes form black and white maps
- Adds 'Continuous Fragmentation'

RayFire Tool is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs $285. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.0.24 are:
- Fixes a problem with floating toolbars

LipService with LBrush is available for Max 8 to 2009 and costs $99. A demo version is available here.

3d-io have started open beta-testing of their other upcoming plugin Flatiron, which can unwrap and bake whole scenes. It allows you to bake textures for multiple objects into a single map in a few simple steps. Baking lightmaps or any other type of render elements into large and complex scenes can be done with a few mouse clicks. Flatiron automatically takes care of the unwrapping and packing process and creates the UV map with an optimized distribution. This process minimizes texture seams and image corruption due to streched pixels, and at the same time keeps the UV area ratio of all objects uniform.

3d-io have started open beta-testing of their upcoming plugin UV-Packer, a new UV map packing and auto-rescaling plugin. It provides a fast, simple and optimal packing and auto-rescaling solution which is based on their Unwrella plugin technology, offering noticeably better results than MAX's built-in 'UV packing'.

Changes for v3.1 are:
- Optimized Mental Ray shader is now much faster
- Adds many new material parameters for Mental Ray
- Adds Random ID, Reset Size and Select by ID buttons to Custom Edit
- Adds a Library Editor, including visual guides, realtime scaling thumbnails and import tools
- The Instancing Tool is much faster and more manageable when used with layers
- Bugs fixed

The freeware version Forest Lite has also been updated, and Itoo Software have enabled some options that were disabled in v3.0:
- Custom objects
- Raytrace shadows
- Random mirroring
- Custom geometry templates

Forest Pack Pro is available for Max 7 to 2009 and costs €250. A demo version is available here.

This is a plugin unloader that plugin developers might find useful. It allows you to unload plugins while in Max, instead of having to close Max, remove the plugin and start Max again.

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for 64-bit Max 9 and Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for 64-bit Max 9 and Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v3.0 are:
- ColorChannel node adjusted to more clearly show you can use it to acccess UV channel 4-6
- Adds a Skin node that inserts hardware skinning code
- Adds Maya CGFX export support
- Adds a Particle lookat Group (aka billboard)
- MathWorldXForm can now do more vector matrix math
- Adds ConeAngle and Attenuation nodes to support spots with adv. materials
- Adds a Shadow node (enables shadows for all materials)
- Adds Vertex Shader support
- Adds sfx and fx path options in settings
- User can now type in custom semantics for Color, Bool, Constant, Tex2D
- All in one pass pops warning when not in shader model 3
- vectorMathType can now be specified per material
- Modified the Tab bar and messagebar height
- Adds a 'various' tab and moved some nodes in there
- 'Save as' now starts with the last known saved folder location
- Adds a lightManager node (and light socket to materials)
- Adds support for Spot lights and Directional lights
- Adds a NodeTransform node
- Adds Cook light model to Standard Material
- Adds a Property node
- Adds a Depth Node
- Adds Shadow Depth
- SHIFT-clicking a node auto-selects all nodes wired so you can quickly drag them
- Select Object by Material node now also supports multi-materials
- Adds a Group Node Tool (visually create new group nodes)
- Nodes are now slightly transparent to better see layered nodes and wires
- Optimized schematic performance (we can now draw many more nodes)
- Messages are now posted to the bottom right of schematic view
- View menu has 2 new options: Hide Selected Nodes and Unhide All Nodes
- Technique material sockets now show name of technique
- Improved Text/Label/Font quality
- Collapsed nodes can now show a bitmap
- Adds a Modulate Math node
- Cube map can now be used with pixelOne material
- Adjusted the tex2D node so it doesn't use 'input' socket with shader model 1.1
- Adds a zTest (zEnable) checkbox to pixelOneMaterial
- Adds base support for .cgfx extension in shaderfx.ms
- Adds 'Select Nodes by Material' in tools
- Adds a Multiply blendmode in all materials
- Pixel one Material can now do vertex shader specular
- Fixes the Glow depth buffer clear bug
- Fixes a bug in Recent files
- Fixes a bug in the vector construct
- Groups now group and un-group properly in center of selection
- Group nodes can now be wired and unwired without leaving behind hidden wires
- Big cleanup with getHardcodedHeaderData and getNodesProcessedData
- Removed all 'Added' from all nodesProcessedData flags
- Fixes drop node function when there is a lot of zoom
- Fixed the XNA vertex alpha bug
- Fixes diffuse code always being added in pixelOne material
- Fixes 'auto backup SFX' on/off during 'export FX'
- Fixes user.ini write issues under Vista
- Glow material can be set to shader model 2.0 again

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

Changes for v5.7.0.4205 are:
- Adds new 2009 CAD loaders
- Adds support for CADDS files using new 2009 CAD loader
- Adds support for encryption of *.rh format when saving
- The Delete Button is now in the layers pane
- Adds RHJob, a utility which allows import and export operations to be run in separate processes
- Adds a new UI and workflow for the Visual Compare tool
- Adds the ability to output model views to video via right-click
- Adds additional cutting options
- Thumbnails are now created for steps, procedures, and model views
- You can now drag & drop animation sequences onto Steps
- Adds a preview button when rendering to video
- Bezier splines are now supported for *.rh, *.svg and *.ai files

Deep Exploration CAD Edition is available for Max 4 to 2009 and costs $1995. A demo version is available here.

This is a GPU accelerated Particle Flow plugin using CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture). It works and almost plays in real-time with more than 32000 particles with collisions (only sphere collisions are supported at the moment).

This is a tool for baking ambient occlusion into the vertex color channel. It's based on NVIDIA's dynamic ambient occlusion paper, and uses CUDA to calculate the AO for each vertex. Compared with the CPU, this plugin using the GPU is 22 times faster.