Changes for v4.608 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for V-Ray 2.0
- finalRender support has been updated
- Adds a 'Project Path' setting to the backburner submission
- Adds more user hooks before and after pass submission/localrender/preview
- Vrimg conversion is now hooked up with the 'auto delete' option enabled
- Adds 'Alternate Paths' to the Command Line submission options
- Updated Smedge support
- Brazil2 user preview overrides are now supported
- You can now set a pass creation naming default via an ini key
- You can now control the colors that RPM uses for it's UI
- If the scene has containers, RPM reverts to command line submission
- Fixes some issues in 'Duplicate pass' with RPMMaterials
- Fixes Backburner commandline submission ignoring most of the controls
- Merging passes with Brazil renderer set no longer errors
- Backburner global data is now checked
- Render Elements are now renamed for the Stereo camera support
- Rendering single frame non-current time no longer errors

This version of RPManager is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs $300. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.0 are:
- Adds support for Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces
- Adds support for Doo-Sabin subdivision surfaces
- Adds support for Midpoint subdivision surfaces
- Adds support for Loop subdivision surfaces
- Adds support for Sqrt(3) subdivision surfaces
- Adds support for Quad-Split subdivision surfaces
- Adds support for Quad Output subdivision surfaces
- Adds support for Tri-Split subdivision surfaces
- Adds Quad-Split reversion
- Many bug-fixes

Subdivision Reversion is available for Max 2010 to 2012 and costs $10. Owners of v1.0x can upgrade for $5.

I thought it was about time I put in a plug for the End User Event 2011, which is taking place again this year in Utrecht (Holland). On June 30th and July 1st you get the chance to meet up with people from all over the world who are doing incredible things with Max and other M & E products.

The two days consist of a large number of talks on subjects ranging from film work to architectural visualization, rendering theory to visual effects breakdowns, and much more. Bobo is coming in from Canada to talk about MAXScript, Krakatoa and Frost. Zap Andersson will be talking about physically based rendering. Rune Spaans will be talking about his work on 'The Troll Hunter'. Max Product Manager Shane Griffith is flying in to talk about the future of Max, and Neil Hazzard (one of the programmers behind the new Nitrous viewport system) will be giving an inside view of the Nitrous technology.

This is just a small selection of what will be going on over the two days, but the best part of it all is that everyone is available for a chat between sessions in the bar (did I mention that the event is held in a pub?). If you can make it there, I can fairly safely guarantee that you won't regret it. And if you see me there, make sure you say 'Hello' :o)

Changes for v1.0 Beta are:
- Adds import/export settings
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for Maya 6.x
- Adds support for the Normal modifier
- Fixes incorrect normals for skinned models

I've made a load of changes to the databases for both News and Plugins, and hopefully everything still works as it should :o) If you notice anything obviously wrong, make sure you let me know!

Dave

Changes for v0.0.4 are:
- Fixes a bug that made Max freeze or block textures loading
- The importer can now load geometry from *.mpet files

Changes for v2.5.201 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v1.04 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v1.01 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v1.01 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Thanks go to Andrew for letting me have the code for his freeware plugins!

Changes for v1.40.37 are:
- Adds option 'Reset Pivot' for replacement models
- Adds the ability to disable the 'Delete' key
- Adds the ability to re-build cached thumbnails for selected files
- Increased the loading speed of HDRI files
- Modifiers which are stored with materials will now be applied as instances
- You can now open the file in an external application by double-clicking on it
- Increased the switching speed of the default display filter
- Increased the speed of displaying tooltips for large images
- Fixes an issue with hiding/freezing the Command Panel after relinking/collecting asset files
- Fixes some minor issues with the Address bar
- Fixes minor issues when copying/pasting files
- Fixes some minor issues with the 'Confirm Replace' dialog

Project Manager is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs $60. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.3.10 are:
- Adds logic to the 'Before' and 'After' export commands in the scene settings
- Adds logic to ensure objects attached to skeletons have a unique name
- Adds logic to export note tracks at node level if the 'Empty' object type is selected
- Adds logic to allow the OpenGL render system to be selected in any situation
- Fixes a bug with note tracks not exporting

OgreMax is available for Max 8 to 2012 and costs $250. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.074 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v0.4 are:
- Fixes the 64-bit Max 2010 version exporting a bad DOF with messed-up material names
- Fixes a few minor bugs
- Improved the exporter dialog progress bars to increment progress more precisely

SplineTrace is a commercial MAXScript that assists the user in turning plain 2D images into quick-and-dirty 3D models suitable for re-topology, or for quickly creating spline shapes for logos, etc.

SplineTrace is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs $10.

Changes for v3.31 include:
- Adds new FBX plugin for FBX2010 and FBX2012
- FBX animations now load faster
- Adds a MESH importer for Torchlight by Runic Games
- Adds a new animation tool: prune animation key times
- Adds a menu command to open the application directory
- Updated the Sketchup SKP and OGRE XML plugins

Ultimate Unwrap3D comes with export and import plugins for Max 4 to 2011 (32-bit only) and costs $59.95. A demo version is available here.

StudioGPU have released the latest version of their GPU renderer, MachStudio Pro 2, and instead of costing nearly $4,000 like the previous version, it is now available for free(!). It comes with exporters for Max versions 9 to 2011 (both 32-bit and 64-bit), and StudioGPU are hoping to generate revenue from support, training and consulting services.

New features for v2.0 include:
- Pixar RenderMan integration
- Adds MetaSL and mental ray support
- Improved pipeline rendering functionality
- New DirectX 11-based workflow
- Adds volumetric and screen-space global illumination (GI)
- Adds spot and directional lights
- Adds FBX output
- Increased Python support
- Workflow improvements

Changes for v3.5.45 are:
- Fixes an issue with hiding/freezing the Command Panel after relinking/collecting asset files

FilePathFinder Pro is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs $25. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v6.2 are:
- Improved GUI performance: faster browsing and interaction with 10's of 1,000's of jobs
- Host-based licensing maximizes investment in Nuke, V-Ray, mentalray and Render Man licenses
- Adds a per-user and per-pgrp running subjobs limit
- Large farm performance optimization
- Adds Dynamic Allocation for Nuke
- Adds support for Houdini Distributed Simulations
- Enhanced Shotgun integration

Qube! is available for Max 7 to 2012 and costs $250 (worker license) / $500 (supervisor license). A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.5.2 beta are:
- Fixes a bug that was incorrectly scaling items on the Y axis
- Fixes instability issues caused by specific topologies of high-poly meshes
- Fixes alignment problems of items when used in XRef scenes
- Adds IRay compatibility
- Random Scale lock value is set by default to XYZ

Forest Pack Pro is available for Max 7 to 2012 and costs €200. A demo version is available here.

Mankua have released a new alpha version of their upcoming Stripes plugin, which is being developed to add Ptex support to Max.

New features in Stripes are:
- Adds bitmap brushes
- Adds random brush control
- Adds support for Wacom tablets
- Adds a dodge-burn tool
- Adds a brightness-contrast tool
- Adds a 'Pick Color' tool

New Features in Ptex Tools for Max:
- Fixes export of PolyMesh normals

If you are interested in becoming a beta-tester, then head over to this page and download the alpha version.

The commercial release of Stripes is planned for the second quarter of 2011.

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

XrayBlendSkin is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €15.

Changes for v2012.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012
- Adds support for Softimage 2012
- Adds support for Maya 2012
- Adds a Softimage FBX plugin
- Adds Stereo camera I/O
- Adds import support of Vector Displacement Maps from Mudbox
- Ported to FBXSDK 2012
- Adds 'Import Fbx' under 'File->import' menu and 'Export Fbx' under 'File->export' menu
- Adds scripting commands to create the import/export options
- Adds import of .3ds, *.dxf, *obj, *.dae formats
- Adds the ability to select target .fbx version (2010, 2011, 2012)
- Adds support for multiple UV's in the FBX Importer/Exporter
- Adds support for neutral poses
- Adds FBX One-Click Mudbox
- Phong, lambert and blinn materials are now supported
- Adds support for a large number of texture types

Changes for v1.3.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Hair Farm is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs $699.95. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Phoenix FD is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs €700.

Changes for v1.8.1.22447 are:
- Fixes Max hanging when toggling tree view filters in a heavy scene
- Fixes a Max crash when opening a scene with state sets referencing deleted layers
- Fixes errors when applying a state set containing absent layers
- Fixes the document strip not adopting the GUI color scheme right away
- Fixes dragged out schematic nodes being created too big if image isn't collapsed
- Fixes schematic view displaying 'replace' menu on nodes with an existing connection
- Fixes an error when dragging out material slot of a scene node
- Fixes some errors when creating state set templates

Zookeeper is available for Max 2009 to 2012 and costs $249. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.25 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

CityTraffic is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €360. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v0.5.2 beta are:
- Optimized the rendering speed by 33% for ATI cards
- Optimized the ambient occlusion generation by 8%
- Radeon 4XXX cards are now supported
- Adds support for Maya 2012 (Windows and Mac)
- The ray tracing structures now are computed sightly faster
- Fixes several installation problems under linux
- Removed the expiration time and the need for an Internet connection

Autodesk have released Service Pack 2 for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011.

Fixes included in the Service Pack are:
- Biped Xtra Bones now work as expected when switching from Quaternion to Euler rotation
- Biped toe links can now be animated when using Planted Keys on the foot
- Biped Prop keys can now be adjusted and moved on the Trackbar
- Stability in Caddies has been greatly improved
- Fixes mesh corruption when loading Editable Poly objects from previous versions
- FBX no longer extracts embedded textures to a \temp folder
- The 'Error parsing Xaml file' problem in Graphite has been fixed
- The Quad Menu now displays on secondary monitors when using dual monitors
- Fixes scene lag when working in multiple viewports with Gamma enabled
- Viewport Canvas now works correctly with the Composite Material

Changes for v1.16 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Conform now automatically deselects walls when entered
- Fixes a bug when conforming to multiple objects at once
- Fixes a crash bug in entity properties
- Fixes a crash bug in the Terrain tool a.k.a Mesh to Convex
- Realtime change of floor depths in Convex mode now works correctly

Convexity Pro is available for Max 5 to 2012 and costs $525.

Changes for v2.5.0.5 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Memory usage has been optimized
- Minor custom controls fixes

V-Ray Material Presets Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2012 and costs €75.

Changes for v2.8.49.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for MAXScript plugin material classes
- Fixes two off-by-one errors in the exporter for frame-by-frame morph target extraction
- Fixes a matrix ordering error in the export of frame-by-frame morph curves
- Fixes the way the exporter computes TrackKey members from Max
- Adds support for normals exported in DEC3N/R10G10B10A2_UNORM format
- Adds support for colors represented as granny_uint8 as well as granny_real32
- The 'RunBatch' command now accepts quoted arguments in specifications
- Adds several animated material parameters to the Max exporter
- And much much more. A full list of changes can be found here

Granny Exporter is available for Max 6 to 2012, and is part of the Granny Toolkit which costs $12500.

Changes for v4.2.8.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Fixes a crash when creating a new texture map or dragging / dropping it onto an object
- 'Menu->Help->Check for updates' now works properly in OS X

Blacksmith3D Suite is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs $299.95. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.6 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

f-Edge is available for Max 6 to 2012 and costs €29. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.17.5 are:
- Recompiled using Optix 2.1 (faster rendering speed and faster data precomputing)
- Adds an option to offset the UVs
- Adds a new tangent basis calculator to improve quality and compatibility
- Adds support for Maya / Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds more options to the triangulator (shortest diagonal, UVs, etc.)

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

3ds Max to 3D PDF is available for Max 2009 to 2012 and costs $95. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.1 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

SolidWorks Importer is available for Max 2009 to 2012 and costs $150. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.6 are:
- Adds a button to the Poses tool for deleting selected poses/animations
- Adds a button to the Poses tool to open the BFPoses.ini file
- Adds a new Grimace Mode to mix up to 8 poses in realtime
- The Face Control Center window has been rebuilt to increase performance and usability
- The old window was renamed to Selector

BonyFace is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs $399. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v5.0.3 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Exposes the ParticleLoader parameters to MAXScript
- Adds support for exporting meshes as RF BIN files

The RealFlow 3ds Max plugins come with RealFlow, which is available for Max 7 to 2012 and costs €2995. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v5.0.44528 include:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- New Remote Mode for managing render farms across multiple facilities
- Adds Deadline Mobile for Iphone and Android
- Adds auto-configuration for slaves
- Improved user security
- Various monitor interface improvements

These are just a few features from a huge list of new features and fixes. You can find the complete change log here.

Deadline is available for Max 7 to 2012 and costs $185 for a 5-node license. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.5.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Objects now keep momentum when fracturing
- Adds convex hull 'instant' creation for hi-poly meshes
- You can now shatter hi-poly models in seconds
- Radial shatter is now centered to pivot by default
- Shards limit has been increased to 4092 for a single operation
- Adds a new width parameter for pivot-based and path-based shatter
- Adds shatter support for multiple UV sets
- Adds a new 'First Hit' parameter
- Adds a new 'Attach Nearest' parameter for fracture
- Adds a new tool bar in the Max version
- Adds a new 'Fast Bake' parameter in the Max version
- You can now draw Bounding Volumes in the Max viewport
- Adds advanced Fractures selection like in the Maya version
- Fixes substeps affecting the acceleration rate
- Fixes weird holes when shattering small scale objects
- Fixes missed faces in hi-poly fragments
- Fixes resume mode failing after moving the time slider
- Fixes the large Max icon getting blocked in some situations
- Fixes fragment UVs not lining up with the original
- Fixes a Pdi crash with some large fracture bodies after resetting

Pull Down It Pro is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €295. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.5.3 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

XRayUnwrap is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €12.99. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.5.10b are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for V-Ray v1.5 SP6 and V-Ray v2.0 SP1

VRayScatter is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €150. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.1.13b are:
- Adds support for V-Ray v1.5 SP6 and V-Ray v2.0 SP1
- Fixes a bug with random settings

VRayPattern is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €150.

Changes for v0.99 Beta are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for V-Ray v1.5 SP6 and V-Ray v2.0 SP1

SolidRocks is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs €54. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.5.1 beta are:
- 'Surface->Align to Normal' has been replaced by 'Direction'
- Scale now uses separate ranges for XYZ instead of Width/Height values
- Scale->Lock aspect ratio adds three new modes: None, XY, XYZ
- Rotation and Scale maps now accepts color images
- Adds MAXScript functions: getSize and setSize
- The library browser now supports Max mesh objects and billboard entries
- Adds multiple selection with SHIFT or CTRL key in the library browser
- You can now import items from Max scenes or material libraries
- Adds loading of mesh models as Merge or XRefs in the library browser
- Adds ordering and filter by name options in the browser window
- Adds Drag & Drop support to the left library panel
- System and user libraries are now separate (no admin rights needed to create libraries)
- System libraries are now always read-only
- Adds support for relative or absolute path locations
- The library lock option has been removed
- Adds resizable windows on auxiliary dialogs
- Adds a new index format in structured XML
- Adds support for V-Ray 2.0 SP1 and V-Ray 1.5 SP6
- Fixes a potential crashing bug with V-Ray and XRef scenes
- Fixes duplicate materials in the Geometry List when a Forest object is cloned
- Fixes a crash bug when using Points-cloud view mode
- Switching to Custom Edit now keeps the existing distribution
- You can now use non-uniform scales when scaling items in Custom Edit mode
- Collision detection results are now the same as in v3.4.1
- Camera clipping now works properly in Custom Edit mode when using Surfaces
- Surface->Place items now places items in the right positions
- Camera falloff now works with UV surfaces
- The MAXScript functions 'SetRotation' and 'GetRotation' now work properly
- Fixes minor display issues with Max 2012 and Nitrous
- Fixes minor issues with Forest Color
- Removed the 'Material->Color Tint->Use on Custom Object' parameter
- Fixes geometry issues with distributions created from open splines

Forest Pack Pro is available for Max 7 to 2012 and costs €200. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v0.94-1b are:
- Fixes a crash when loading an ivy into Max 2012 Nitrous viewports

Changes for v2.3.3 are:
- Fixes a rare crash bug in 64-bit MaxDesign 2012
- I brought CoolPicker up-to-date for all of the other Max versions (8 to 2011)

Autodesk have released the first HotFix for Max 2012 and Max Design 2012.

The problems adressed in this hotfix are:
- Fixes a program error in the Autodesk Materials
- InfoCenter now displays info balloon notifications properly
- Invalid or empty Loft objects no longer cause a program error
- Fixes a problem when using a two-sided shader together with the Composite Map
- The mia_envblur shader now works with the Arch&Design material and Autodesk Materials
- The MAXScript file Close command now works as expected
- Animated meshes now update correctly when parts of a rig hierarchy are hidden
- Nitrous performance with large poly objects has been improved
- Fixes objects from previously loaded scenes appearing in the Nitrous viewport
- Mirrored or negatively scaled objects now display correctly in Nitrous
- Fixes the selection window not always displaying in front of objects in Nitrous
- Making multiple selections in the viewport now works as expected
- Fixes a problem when using Undo with Peel
- Mental ray now generates Normal Maps correctly in Render To Texture
- Fixes Skin modifier envelopes disappearing from the viewports
- SteeringWheels no longer cause a program error
- Scale now works correctly in Unwrap UVW
- Fixes a crash in Unwrap UVW when using Quick Peel after resetting UVWs
- Multiple degraded performance issues in Unwrap UVW have been fixed

The guys over at Blur have uploaded a new version of their open-source collection of tools covering a range of areas in Max, especially Python support. The tools are now compiled for Max 2008 to 2011, and they are working on getting Max 2012 versions out.

Changes for v1.3.0.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit only)

DirectX 9.0c X-File Exporter is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs ¥5000. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.1.07a are:
- Adds support for V-Ray v2.0 SP1
- Adds support for V-Ray v1.5 SP6

MultiScatter is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €200.

Changes for v1.0.4 are:
- Fixes a bug in determining the orientation of ParticleFlow particles

Ky_Trail Pro is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs €89. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.4.6 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Roof Designer is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs $55. A demo version is available here.

Adam Wierzchowski (Pixel Factory) has recompiled all of his freeware plugins for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit). Head over to this page for more information and downloads.

Changes for v6.2012.71.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v2.2 are:
- The UI now includes '5. Patch Type' as an option in the mesh creation process
- Fixes a problem with blank names
- The UI now imports the scene name of a mesh even if it is blank

Spline-2-Poly is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs €5.

Changes for Build 050711 are:
- Fixes a problem in Max Design 2012 where the mesh got replaced with a gizmo

Changes for v1.21b are:
- Fixes a sporadic crash when used with Max Design 2012

Changes for v1.01a are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for the new Nitrous viewport system

Changes for v1.35.00 are:
- Adds support for 3ds Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for Substance Textures
- Adds the ability to rename Asset Files on hard drive with Link
- Adds the ability to open a MatLib from a Max file in Material/Map Browser
- Adds the ability to render thumbnails for 3DS, FBX, OBJ, vrmesh and mib files
- Adds some changes to the Dark theme interface
- Fixes a crash on Windows XP x32
- Fixes issues with memory leaking when rendering thumbnails
- Fixes some minor issues with the 'Batch Render&Relink' utility
- Fixes issues with loading render-preset files for render thumbnails
- Fixes issues with autosearching asset files for render thumbnails

Project Manager is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs $60. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.5.40 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for Substance Textures
- Adds the ability to render thumbnails for 3DS, FBX, OBJ, vrmesh and mib files
- Adds some changes to the Dark theme interface
- Fixes issues with memory leaking when rendering thumbnails
- Fixes some minor issues with the 'Batch Render&Relink' utility
- Fixes issues with loading render-preset files for render thumbnails
- Fixes issues with autosearching asset files for render thumbnails

FilePathFinder Pro is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs $25. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.0.78 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Fixes issues with White Balance inheritance from source cameras
- Fixes issues with starting render when 'Time Output' is set to 'Frames'

VrayMultiStageRender is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs $15. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v3.5 are:
- Skinning preservation
- Max integration (UI and script support)
- Maya integration (UI and script support)
- FBX file support
- Settings files
- Vertex lock
- LOD bar
- Unified User interface

Simplygon is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and I can't find any information on pricing. A demo version is available here.

Changes for SP1 include:
- Adds a new VRayFlakesMtl material with just the flakes from VRayCarPaintMtl
- Adds a VRayGLSL material for direct rendering of GLSL shaders with V-Ray extensions
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- The V-Ray RT render server now prints out more information in GPU mode
- Adds MAXScript access to the V-Ray material override exclude list
- Adds support for the four FumeFX render elements
- 'Calculate' and 'Save to CSV file' in the VRayLightMeter now have MAXScript access
- Adds an environment override slot for VRayCarPaintMtl material
- Adds a bump slot for the base layer of VRayCarPaintMtl material
- You can now turn off 'trace reflections' separately for each VRayCarPaintMtl layer
- Adds the MAXScript function 'vrayEditDRSettings()' to open the DR settings window
- You can now specify user command-line options when starting Max from the DR spawner
- The VRayMtlID and VRayObjectID render elements can now generate colors instead of integers
- Adds XML output for the VRayRenderID render element
- Adds the MAXScript-only option 'dome_visibleOriginal' for dome lights
- Adds an option to VRayToon to compensate camera exposure
- Adds the ability to map the radius in VRayDistanceTex with a texture
- Adds an option in VRayDistanceTex for a solid inside color
- Custom V-Ray materials now work in the Hair&Fur modifier
- Hair&Fur now produces the same object ID as the emitter object
- The V-Ray bitmap to VRayHDRI converter script now respects input gamma
- Fixes a particular pre-render script that turns off V-Ray lights before rendering
- VRayBlendMtl material no longer blocks the material IDs of its sub-materials
- V-Ray RT now has support for the RPManager material
- Noise with 'Clamp output' enabled no longer produces noisy renders
- Hilites from the base reflection layer of VRayCarPaintMtl are now correct
- Fixes slow rendering with many overlapping VRayProxy primitives
- Fixes randomly missing gizmos when rendering VRayEnvironmentFog
- VRayLights that exclude an object no longer affect that object through GI
- Rendering with GI no longer uses more detailed texture mip-map levels than necessary
- VRayHDRI now respects the specified memory limit for tiled textures
- Fixes a crash with particle systems with 3D displacement and motion blur enabled
- Fixes spikes with 3D displacement with 'Keep continuity' enabled
- Fixes an incorrect velocity element with VRayFur
- Fixes a problem when copying an image from the VFB to the clipboard
- Loading an image in the V-Ray VFB with a different resolution now works
- img2tiledexr now uses the right formula when converting images from sRGB color space
- vrim2exr now preserves the pixel aspect information in the resulting .exr file
- ply2vrmesh can now convert RealFlow .bin files to .vrmesh files
- VRayExposureControl is now accessible from MAXScript
- Fixes a script error when there is a VRayPlane object in the scene
- VRayPhysicalCamera in 'Movie' mode now exports correctly
- Mesh lights are now exported with the .vrscene exporter script
- Fixes fringes on the edges of flakes in VRayCarPaintMtl material
- Fixes a VRayCarPaintMtl crash when texture map rendering is globally disabled
- Fixes light cache warnings being printed even when not using the light cache
- Fixes an exception after rendering
- Fixes a problem with V-Ray presets on systems with a decimal comma
- The file save dialog for .vrimg/.exr files is now resizable
- The VRayFastSSS2 material is now exported by the .vrscene MAXScript exporter
- The VRayLightSelect element now lets you only select lights
- Fixes an incorrect velocity element when rendering Hair&Fur natively
- Hair&Fur .dra files are now moved to the Max temp folder
- Fixes a typo in the 'affect specular' option in VRaySun
- Fixes slow rendering of VRayEnvironmentFog with animated Noise texture
- Fixes objects disappearing in animation with V-Ray RT
- V-Ray RT no longer ignores animation of deforming objects
- Fixes incorrect exposure in V-Ray RT when physical camera type was 'Movie cam' or 'Video cam'
- VRayEdgesTex is no longer listed as incompatible with V-Ray RT
- Fixes a freeze when using V-Ray RT as production and ActiveShade renderer at the same time
- .vrscene export is now correct when the system uses a decimal comma
- Fixes V-Ray RT autmatically resetting 'max paths per pixel' from 0 to 64
- ActiveShade rendering is now paused during normal production rendering
- Fixes a problem with V-Ray RT rendering empty scenes if motion blur was enabled
- Fixes a V-Ray RT problem with canceling batch render of animations
- Standard camera FOV animation now works in V-Ray RT
- Adds support for the 'Camera map per pixel' texture in V-Ray RT
- PFlow systems now update when using V-Ray RT as production renderer
- Camera target distance now updates correctly when rendering with V-RayRT through Backburner
- Fixes a V-Ray RT issue with VRayLightMtl material inside a VRayBlendMtl material
- Textures for the color of VRayLightMtl material now work with V-Ray RT GPU

Chaos Group have also released Service Pack 6 for users still on V-Ray v1.5. SP6 includes the following changes:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- The 'Save render servers with scene' option for DR now works
- Fixes a crash with V-Ray and Thinking Particles with motion blur enabled
- Fixes potential crashes with VRayFastSSS2 at start of rendering
- Fixes a problem with the VRaySSS2 render element
- Fixes a crash when objects didn't have VRayDisplacementMod modifiers
- Lights no longer illuminate nearby excluded objects through GI
- Fixes a crash when rendering .vrmesh files converted from ply2vmesh with motion blur enabled

V-Ray is available for Max 9 to 2012 and costs €1,350. A demo version is available here.

Di-O-Matic have now officially released the new versions of the plugins with added support for Max 2012 (among other things). Changes for the new versions are:

Cluster-O-Matic v1.72
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Improved performance and stability
- Fixes the font issue

Morph-O-Matic v2.4
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds a new game engine integration scripting API
- Fixes object copies not preserving channel groups
- Next and Previous Key buttons now support keyframes filtering

Facial Studio v2.3
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Improved performance and stability

Morph ToolKit v1.72
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Voice-O-Matic v3.2
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Improved Use Weighting quality

Hercules v1.4
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Character Pack v1.5
- Adds all of the latest version as listed above

The Di-O-Matic plugins are available for Max 6 to 2012 and prices range between $149 to $999. Demo versions of the plugins are available under the product links listed above.

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 and Max Design 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v1.1.13 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

VRayPattern is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €150.

Changes for v3.3.9 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

MadCar is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €200.

I've just uploaded new versions of all of the Mark Williams freeware plugins for Max 2012. I got a crash report (thanks Ziggi) which turned out to be due to the new deferred loading mechanism for plugins in Max 2012.

Here are the new versions:
- Color Replace v1.11
- Disperse/Refract v1.01
- Graph v0.91
- Mosaic v1.01
- Pen v1.11
- Scratch v1.21

Changes for v1.34 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Next Limit are running a special Maxwell Render promotion throughout the month of May. Every Monday during the month of May, they will be introducing a new promotion that will last for exactly one week. At 12pm GMT +1 each Monday, the previous offer will expire and a new one will begin.

These are the details of the promotions:

May 3rd - May 9th: with every Maxwell Render Standard purchase, you receive 10 free Rendernodes. (Valid only for purchase or upgrade of standard licenses)

May 9th - May 16th: Maxwell Render licenses will be discounted by 40%*

May 16th - May 23rd: Maxwell Render licenses will be discounted by 30%*

May 23rd - May 30th: Maxwell Render licenses will be discounted by 20%*

May 30th - June 6th: Maxwell Render licenses will be discounted by 10%*

*These discounts are only valid for Maxwell Render Standard licenses and upgrades and Maxwell Render Rendernodes and Rendernode upgrades.

For full details as well as terms and conditions, head over to this page.

Maxwell Render is available for Max 7 to 2012 and costs €895. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.1.0.7 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

MultiScatter is available for Max 2008 to 2012 and costs €200.

Changes for v1.03 are:
- Adds a UI
- Adds 'Delete original' and 'Hide original' options
- Adds 'Move original' and 'Move New Object' options
- Adds an 'In EditPoly' option
- Adds a progress bar and a timer
- Adds a 'Detach Elements' function

Subdivision Reversion is available for Max 2011 to 2012 and costs $5.

Changes for v1.2b are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v0.9.9 are:
- Adds support for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds 64-bit support for Max 2009 and above
- Adds support for exporting to osgt/osgb formats
- Saving images now preserves the original image size
- If an image being saved to JPEG has an alpha channel, it will be saved as PNG instead
- Only one osg::Texture object is now created for each unique bitmap path
- IMPORTANT: The binaries for the installer were built using OpenSceneGraph 2.9.13

Orbaz Technologies have announced that their Particle Flow Tools plugins (Box#2, Box#3 v1.5 and Freebies) have been recompiled for Max 2012 (32-bit and 64-bit). The update is available to commercial license holders, who need to send a request to Orbaz Support with their serial number(s) to get the installer links.

Changes for v1.02 are:
- The reversed subdivision now appears in an EditPoly modifier on the original object
- Adds fail-safes to warn about the most common errors (nothing selected, no subdivision, etc)
- Fixes some bugs

Subdivision Reversion is available for Max 2011 to 2012 and costs $5.

Changes for v2.5.0.4 are:
- Adds 122 new Cloth materials
- Adds a new parameter: 'Always on top' (options)
- Adds a new parameter: 'Remember last position' (options)
- Fixes the Section creation bug

V-Ray Material Presets Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and pricing starts at €75.

This plugin allows you to import models from the Russian game You Are Empty into Max.