GroundWiz Terrain Map, an easy to use yet powerful procedural 3D terrain map for Max, will bring you much power and control for generating realistic terrain textures. Furthermore, GroundWiz Planter, a mass placement and instancing tool, handles millions of objects in Max. It will help you merge vegetation, rocks and other nature elements and quickly create realistic interactive scenes of nature/landscape. GroundWiz also comes with a Mental Ray shader which enables MR to render the GroundWiz procedural maps.

This Lite version is only free for non-commercial use. To see a list of restrictions compared to the full version, click here.

Changes for v1.2.9 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v4.157 are:
- Fixes the errors introduced with Max 2009 SP1
- finalRender Render Element Properties are now available in the RPManager Render Element rollout
- 'Get Props for Selected Object' will now list finalRenderProperties if relevant
- User Preview 'insert property' menu is now sorted by group for V-Ray
- V-Ray vrimg2exr settings now include commandline options
- Adds an option to Merge xrefs on submit not as xref->merge but as file->merge
- Merge xrefs has been added to previewing and local renders
- If no output exists RPM disables the save file setting in the output
- A number of minor 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 v1.0.362 Beta are:
- Fix to Deadline Plug-In to better handle filepaths
- Fix to Shutdown order, to fix exit shaders bug in XSI

Changes for v2.60 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

SimbiontMAX is available for Max 9 to 2009, and is free to licensed users of DarkTree, which costs $419.

Changes for v1.34.01 are:
- Adds Reactor Demolition, a fast and easy way for smashing and falling objects
- Adds a new RF_Bomb object
- You can now assign custom fragmentation options for each object
- Adds multiple bomb support for Reactor Explosion
- Adds new Reactor Explosion directions: Spherical, Planar and Cylindrical
- Adds a fragmentation seed to let you fragment objects with the same pattern every time
- After each fragmentation RayFire will now create selection set with created fragments
- Fixes a bug with DDS textures
- Adds a new fragmentation type: Relative to Pivot point
- RayFire now saves properties in the scene and restores them on opening

RayFire Tool is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs $225. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.361 are:
- Fixes parser to correctly handle default values for function declarations
- Minor changes to the Deadline Plug-In to report status more frequently
- Fix to prevent initial startup windows from command line renders

Changes for v1.50 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds the new GroundWiz Variation Map
- GroundWiz Planter now supports ArchVision RPC objects
- Max 2009 mr Proxy objects are fully supported
- Numerous improvements have been made to the Planter's editing tools
- Fixes a problem with V-Ray distributed rendering
- Fixes a bug with hidden objects being initialized and influencing rendering time
- 'Render Hidden Geometry' now works correctly with Planter
- Fixes a licensing problem when network rendering

GroundWiz is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $180. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.4 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds a few code optimisations

Autodesk have released Service Pack 1 for Max 2009 and Max Design 2009. For full information on what has been fixed take a look at the release notes (PDF).

Changes for v1.7 are:
- Adds a new Physical Sky system
- Adds a new Sub-Surface Scattering component
- Enhancements in the Material Editor
- Plugin enhancements and bug-fixes
- Improvements in Maxwell Studio

Maxwell Render is available for Max 7 to 2009 and costs €895. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.1.1.32060 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- The Max 2009 VFB can be customized to support various renderers
- The VFB rollout controls can be colorized using the Custom Checkbutton Colors
- Adds an alternative InterActive mode in the new VFB
- Adds presets support to the 'Use Particles From' set of controls
- User-defined combinations of particle sources can be associated with each Particle Render Mode
- Adds the ability to update Particle Flow systems set to Render>None without rendering its particles
- Particle Systems linked to a Matte Object are now correctly transformed
- Fixes a display glitch that caused the rollouts to be redrawn incorrectly

Krakatoa is available for Max 8 to 2009 and costs $495 plus support ($123.75) for the standard bundle (1 workstation license and 2 rendering licenses). A demo version is available here.

Changes for v5.5.0.2598 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds generation and output of real-time 3D manufacturing & maintenance instructions
- Adds creation of multiple Procedures using Steps
- Adds the ability to automatically assign dummy animation Sequences as placeholders
- Adds support for 2D drag and drop
- Materials, Animation, Layers, Parts panels can be moved / docked from Scene Components panel
- Enhanced WebCGM export including automatic hotspot creation and XML companion file
- Enhanced CAD loaders enables dynamic 'Thick and Thin' line display & output
- Improved halo / arrow size for callouts with user-defined thickness
- Detail Views for detail and locator view graphics
- Notes and Drawing shapes and lines can be projected onto 3D surfaces
- New subscription and network floating licensing options

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

Changes for v0.52 Beta are:
- Improves handling of gamma

SolidRocks is available for Max 8 to 2009 and costs €14. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.359 Beta include:
- Fix to include console message for user profile selection
- Fix to mi_query, adds support for miQ_PRI_BBOX_MIN & miQ_PRI_BBOX_MAX
- Fix to ensure profile warning message is cleared on new plugin connection
- Fix to Max plugin - improved support for Vista
- Fixes Deadline plugin to support automatic tileassembler & image output type
- Fixes statusbar triggering exceptions in script engine
- Adds Deadline plugin to Windows x64 release
- Fix to filtering introduced in 1.0.356

Changes for v1.6.17 are:
- Adds scene mesh setting to force all vertex colors to be white
- Adds ogremax.CreateNodeAnimation() and ogremax.CreateMeshAnimation() MAXScript functions
- Modified the mesh pose export to always use the target mesh's name
- Fixes Ogre resources not being refreshed when a scene is loaded
- Fixes the 'texture_size', 'texture_inverse_size', and 'packed_texture_size' parameters

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds 64-bit support for Max 9, 2008 and 2009

MegaTerrain MAX is available for Max 9 to 2009 and normally costs $75 for a basic license and $150 for a standard license. This week it is available for $25 for a basic license and $49 for a standard license. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v6.5 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- A greatly simplified HDR workflow
- Adds a new real-time reflection feature

RenderPipe AV6.5 is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $3995 (together with a RayBox).

Changes for v11.00.00 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

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

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for 64-bit Max 2009

Changes for v3.0.05 are:
- Fixes a flag for dx display

LipService with LBrush is available for Max 8 to 2009 and costs $499. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.356 Beta include:
- Optimized statusbar update script to better handle animations
- Optimized filtering for high sample scenes
- Fixes profile path separator bug introduced in 1.0.354
- Fixes Deadline Plug-In to support latest command line syntax
- Fixes rectangular zoom to handle render settings override of camera resolution
- Fix to perform texture discovery for support of 3ds Max HDR bitmaps
- Fix to improve support of mi_ray_falloff
- mi_tri_vectors support normal, motion, bump basis, first surface derivative, user vector requests
- Fix to ensure new tracing child states are initialised
- Fix to NURBs surface derivative calculation
- Further cosmetic changes to user interface
- Changed include/link file failure, so only key files trigger project closure and warning display

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

ScatterVL Pro is available for Max 7 to 2009 and costs approximately $150 (depends on the exchange rate).

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Minor parameter changes
- Improved control

Changes for v1.02 are:
- Adds support for 64-bit Max 9 / 2008

GrowFX is available for Max 8 to 2008 and costs $499. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.353 Beta include:
- Adds shortcut to diagnostics console from status bar warning indicator
- Cosmetic changes to render profiles preferences
- Fix to specular channel encoding introduced in 1.0.352
- If importer fails to include/link a profile resource file, close project and display new warning
- Changed directory structure of 3rd-party and acceleration shaders
- Fix to diffuse/specular channels to handle specular components of shaders using mi_trace_reflection
- Fixed red and blue channel switch for some encodings of 8bit images on Mac
- Fix to encoding of alpha channel for some image formats
- Fix to diffuse/specular channels to handle specular components of shaders

Changes for v5.10 are:
- Fixes the capping problem

Power NURBS is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs $995. A demo version is available here.

The latest new build of Brazil r/s v2.1b (Pro-Beta / Rio), build 1619, is now available from the SplutterFish FishMarket Account (if you have upgraded to Brazil r/s v2.0). You can find a full list of enhancements and bugfixes here.

For non-customers, Brazil v2 Rio has also been updated and can be downloaded here.

Brazil r/s v2.0 is available for Max 4 to 2009 and pricing starts at $795 for the Basic Edition, and $995 for the Professional Edition. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Pencil+ is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs ¥45,150. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.50 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Ghost Trails is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $99. A demo version is available here.

Changes for SP1 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Surface position helper now returns UV coordinates for edges and vertices
- Overall stability for x64 systems has been increased
- Speed increases have been made in various operators and calculations
- UV generation for fragments has been added for better fragment mapping

ThinkingParticles is available for Max 6 to 2009 and costs $1695. Service Pack 1 is a free download and can be acquired by registered users at the cebas Shop. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.351 Beta are:
- Fix to Frame History to handle output channels
- Further cosmetic changes to user interface
- Adds support for caustics and global illum raytracing option
- Adds diffuse and specular/reflection output channel
- Fix to support iff and pic encoding of Shader IDs output channel
- 'Save Image' now saves out the current view channel rather than always RGB
- Adds Object labels output channel

Changes for v2.8.1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Fixes a 'touch and die' parameter case in the exporter
- Better protection against crashes in the exporter
- New preprocessor command: 'ThresholdVectorTrack'
- New option relating to custom attributes attached to ExtendedData members
- The Max exporter now records some information about the XRef status of meshes
- Meshes containing 64k+ verts now export properly if '16-bit indices' is on
- You can now attach an arbitrary file to an exported gr2 from Max
- Max meshes now output the full mesh path in the granny_mesh::ExtendedData field
- Max meshes now contain a list of sibling instances in their extended data
- Fixes a Max texture handling error
- A full list of changes can be found here

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

MegaTerrain MAX is designed to easily render very large and realistic landscapes. It's key features are:
- Visualization of very large landscapes
- Fast terrain rendering in a viewport
- View-dependent terrain tessellation
- Compatibility with standard 3ds max materials
- Terrain import/export tools

MegaTerrain MAX is available for Max 9 to 2009 (32-bit only) and costs $75 for a basic license and $150 for a standard license. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v4.153 are:
- Viewport preview utility now has a resolution override as an option
- Viewport Preview Utility now supports non-sequential frames
- Fixes viewport playback not starting the next pass from its first frame
- Import selection sets now works
- Resizing the viewport preview tool horizontally now restricts the width correctly
- MXS call to rpmdata.setpassselection now updates the pass name bolding
- Escape to cancel a viewport preview no longer errors
- Viewport preview playlist now accepts still images with no frame padding
- Viewport preview playlist removes multiple external sequences correctly
- Vray cache manager now deals with the 'Animation' modes correctly

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 v0.51 Beta are:
- New installer with video explanation for simple install
- Better AUTO indoor/exterior handling (better GI globally)
- Better handling of save/restore user params when quitting SR
- New checkbutton 'save on exit' to apply SR settings when quitting
- User can now permanently apply rendertime User / Lights settings to the scene
- Adds two buttons for adjusting image size (viewport / environment background)
- Render Region now works with 'Render 1/2' button
- Distributed Rendering is temporarily set to OFF for mini preview rendering
- DE (Detail Enhancement) only works in 'Very good mode' and higher
- DE settings improved for faster renderings in very good, prod and ultra modes
- Faster and cleaner Fastdraft and preview modes
- Efficient gamma handling including material editor instant update
- SolidRocks now works well with Distributed Rendering
- Minipreview gamma is now always good
- New request code/serial number security system to fight piracy
- Optimize lights and materials now handles new VrayIES lights
- Fixes some concurrence bugs between render panel and SolidRocks
- Fixes resolution problems after mini preview rendering
- Fixes some gamma handling problems
- Fixes a problem on V-Ray area shadows on non V-Ray lights
- Fixes minipreview not having alpha
- Slight modifications in AA sampler for better results
- Subpixelmapping and clamp output are now on to avoid bright dots on render
- Adjustments to Irradiance map and lightcache settings for best rendertime/quality ratio
- Fine adjustments to the Vray global sampler
- Secondary ray bias is no longer handled by SolidRocks
- Blinn is no longer converted to Ward when optimise materials and lights is on

SolidRocks is available for Max 8 to 2009 and costs €14. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v5.16 are:
- The plugin has been compiled against the new version of the PathEngine SDK

groundExport is part of the PathEngine SDK, and is available for Max 6 to 2008. A basic license for the SDK costs €5000.

Changes for v1.0.3 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit only)
- Adds support for Soft Body creation and simulation
- The D6Joint color is now different to the background
- Adds support for Cloth interaction with Fluids
- The installer now supports Max 9, Max 2008 and Max 2009
- The plugin now uses Max's FPS for the PhysX simulation
- Adds samples (fountain and softfrog) for fluid and soft body

Changes for v5.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds viewport proxies to speed up the viewports
- Adds the natFX Material Library containing the natFX plants base materials
- Adds multiple selection modification for changing properties with one click
- Adds a vegetation load alert (for use with proxies) to warn about overstepping user-set limits

natFX is available for Max 9 to 2009 and costs $990 (inc. 10 seeds). A demo version is available here.

Changes for v6.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 9 and 2008 (32-bit only)
- Conversion is now logged and can be inspected using the Conversion Log button
- Textures are no longer converted if the source file is unchanged since last conversion

R|shaders is a powerful shader collection for Max. It's compatible with the scanline renderer, mental ray and all other 3rd party renderers like FinalRender, VRay and Brazil R/S. The product is still under development, and will be soon available (3rd Q2008), but it can be pre-ordered now with a special discount. If you pre-order, you will receive all the beta versions, and a special online support for 1 year starting from the purchase date.

At the moment, 2 sets of shaders are available for pre-ordering:
- 'Nature' is a collection that includes natural materials, including Mud, Terra, Water, Ocean, Snow, Lava, Ice, Wet.
- The 'Industry' collection includes industrial shaders like metals, rust, tiles, concrete, car paint, plastic etc.

R|shaders are available for Max 9 to 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit) and will cost $124 (workstation) / $200 (site license) per pack. They can be pre-ordered for $92 (workstation) / $139 (site license) per pack.