Changes for v4.0 Build 20100926 are:
- The non-commercial version is now the same as the Pro Version without Dataset Management
- Improved installation routine
- There is now only an english GUI
- Adds an overscan function based on the script from Martin Breidt

Photo Studio Pro is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs €199. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0 Build 1741 are:
- Bug-fixes

Changes for v1.6.0.43376 are:
- Thinking Particles no longer causes particle evaluation to hang at render time
- The TP Partitioning code now lets Input Helpers with '*RandomSeed*' in the name to be incremented
- Deformation Modifiers no longer invert the Velocity Channel in PRT Loaders
- PRT FumeFX no longer causes a crash when FumeFX 2.0 simulation was switched to Post cache
- PRT FumeFX now loads all voxels correctly
- PRT Volume, PRT FumeFX and PRT Source now expose an Icon Size spinner to the UI
- Unchecking Viewp.Spacing and changing the Spacing spinner now updates the PRT Volume's viewport cache
- Undo/Redo now restores the Input Nodes' value correctly in Magma Flow
- The Interactive Mode option (Channels Modifier) now handles geometry used in Surface Operators
- Adds conversion buttons to the SurfDataValue Operator for quickly converting the output value
- Adds an explicit INSERT/BRANCH mode displayed in the title bar of the MagmaFlow Editor
- Fixes mouse hit testing when the MagmaFlow Editor is docked as an Extended Viewport
- Adds support for Schematic Flow as an Extended Viewport
- Fixes the MAXScript call for saving all rollouts to presets
- Fixes a crash when trying to load a Save Channels Preset
- Adds support for saving and loading the Channels To Save list
- Adds the keyboard shortcut names to the right-click menu of the Float/Dock icons
- Adds all rollouts to the right-click menu of the Float/Dock icons
- Changed the navigation buttons in the UI to unhide hidden rollouts before navigating to them
- Adds right-click handling to all 'Back To Main Controls...' buttons
- All MacroScripts now disable themselves if the Krakatoa path is removed from the plugin.ini
- Optimized the 'Load From History' dialog to use the History Cache
- The Rollout Preset files now restore the visibility of the 'Shader Parameters' rollout correctly

Krakatoa is available for Max 8 to 2011 and costs $995 plus support. A demo version is available here.

Changes for Build 20100923 are:
- Fixes the Max 2009 / 2010 versions
- Fixes the Cartoon implementation

Shader Utilities Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs €149. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.10 are:
- Hugo Apellido has compiled a version for 32-bit Max 2010

Bullet is an open source collision detection and rigid body dynamics library. The Dynamica plugin was originally an in-house Maya plugin developed by Disney Animation Studios which they contributed to the Bullet project. This version for Max is based on the open source PhysX plugin, and basically swaps out PhysX for Bullet, allowing you to perform rigid body simulations inside Max and export them to the .bullet binary format.

Changes for v4.1.43205 are:
- This is primarily a maintenance release that adds a few minor features and fixes some bugs
- Adds support for Cinema 4D 12
- Adds support for Houdini 11
- A full list of changes can be found here

Deadline is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs between $110 and $140 per node. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.3.5 beta are:
- Adds Rotate and Scale maps
- Adds random translation on Z axis
- Boundary checking with Area splines now works in two modes: 'Point' or 'Size'
- Presets can now be exported and imported from external files
- Adds auto-check for updates
- A special version of Forest 2.4 is now included for compatibility with old scenes
- Fixes the 'Prevent Self-Shadow' feature in Mental Ray
- You can now use longer descriptions in the Presets list
- The software is now less intrusive if there is no active license

Forest Pack Pro is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs €200. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.8.41.0 are:
- On Microsoft platforms, Granny now officially supports only compilers from VS2005 onward
- Fixes root motion extraction for granny_spu_controlled_animation
- Fixes Fastmath switches on fsel platforms causing -0 values to slip through
- Adds a port of the grannySkeletonTolerance.mel utility to MAXScript
- Exposed a couple of internal animation structures for an upcoming tool
- Altered granny_intaddrx types to fix warnings in later MSVC compilers

Granny Exporter is available for Max 6 to 2011, and is part of the Granny Toolkit which costs $12500.

Changes for v2010.09.18 are:
- Fixes the major 'normal' bug that caused many objects to render black
- Adds support for Max 2009 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v3.2.70 are:
- The 'Render Thumbnail' utility has been updated
- Adds the ability to render all materials and textures in the Material Library
- Adds the ability to specify a size for the rendered thumbnails
- Adds the ability to use the scene render settings for model thumbnails
- Adds the ability to use the active viewport for rendering models
- Adds the ability to specify a custom view for rendering models
- Fixes issues with auto-detection of compatible render-presets
- Adds three render-presets (Scanline, Mental Ray and V-Ray)
- Adds the ability to create your own render-presets

FilePathFinder Pro is available for Max 9 to 2011 and now costs $25 (was $30). A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.01 are:
- Fixes a loss of precision in Perspective Deform Modifier computations under 64-bit Max
- Fixes a problem where lines were not drawn on certain materials

Pencil+ is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs ¥52,500. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v6.0.10 are:
- Bug-fixes

Muster is available for Max 8 to 2011 and costs $85. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.1 are:
- You can now select which channels should be affected from the sources
- Adds conservative advection (for slow motion and large-scale simulations)
- Adds support for Thinking Particles systems as sources
- Simulation multithreading has been improved
- Adds an FPS indicator to the GPU preview
- You can now change a channels presence during the simulation
- Fixes a memory leak when adaptive grid is used with smoke, UVW or fuel channel
- Fixes a crash when a non-solid object is used in brush mode
- Fixes artifacts when the light cache is combined with some GI settings
- Texture modulation now works with explicit coordinates (UVW channel)

Phoenix FD is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $895.

Project Manager is a utility for organising files and working with them in Max. It help you with cataloging bitmaps, model libraries, material libraries, IES files or HDRI files. The organization system allows you to keep references to the directory in different directories without duplicating folders on your hard drive.

To make working with the libraries more convenient, all information is presented in a thumbnails view. The utility supports viewing of all image formats supported by Max (eg. HDRI, EXR, TGA, PSD and more). For model libraries, materials and IES files, the utility can generate thumbnails for you automatically.

Project Manager is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs $60. There are also various upgrade options for owners of FilePathFinder Pro. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v5.0.2 are:
- Animation curves: Boolean and Integer parameters now evaluate key values correctly
- The Binary Loader now loads single frames
- C++ API: fixes 'getNearestPointToObject' function sometimes returning wrong intersection points
- Cloning an Object created via Python or C++ SDK no longer crashes RealFlow
- Fixes particles added with the addParticle() function not appearing in the viewport
- Fixes a crash when calling C++ functions that generate a GUI update inside 'onSimulationBegin'
- NFR licenses now work under command line
- Axis setup is now correctly set for imported XML files under command line
- Simulate from command line now works when -useCache is indicated
- Fixes a crash when spline is combined with a expression in Curve Editor
- RealFlow now shows warnings on export if a file cannot be written
- Queries on a non-existant Group no longer crashes RealFlow
- Fixes a crash when unchecking a new nodes visibility
- The -mesh flag now works in Command Line mode
- Multiple k volumes attached to a grid-based fluid now all work
- Saving and loading the state of rigid-rigid Multijoints now works with plasticity
- Fixes random crashes with high-res particle-based fluids and particles moving in a large space
- Fixes particles passing through geometry when the fluid resolution is very high
- The videoPreview() Python function now parses correctly
- Fixes a problem with undo/redo if number of nodes selected before and after is the same
- Pressing the space bar while simulating no longer crashes RealFlow on Mac OS X
- XML import/export: Fixes an error if an emitter is already included in a Mesh
- XML Import no longer crashes if parameter type is different

RealFlow is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs €2995. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.51 are:
- Adds new Rebars support (video)
- Adds radial fragmentation (video)

RayFire Tool is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs $285. A demo version is available here.

Hugo Appelido has updated his plugins SOF2BSP Load v1.0.0.8 Beta and MAP Export v1.0.0.6 Beta to support Max 2010 (32-bit only).

I thought I'd post some news about a site that went online last week, mainly because it's something that I'm involved with :o)

ME-Crew is a world-wide collaboration of experts inside the Media and Entertainment field. It is basically an agency whose members are making their expertise available to everybody who might need them, whether through consultancy, training, programming, writing, speaking or production work.

The whole thing was kicked into life by Joep van der Steen, one of the guys behind the great End User Events in Holland, and he really has got some big names to join the Crew. So if you're a company in need of help in any way, who ya gonna call?

Changes for v6.0.9 are:
- Bug-fix release (users running 6.0.6+ must upgrade at least the Dispatcher to 6.0.9)
- Fixes a bug in the history view that may overload the Dispatcher
- Adds the total time in the jobs queue view

Muster is available for Max 8 to 2011 and costs $85. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.2.3 are:
- Proxies: Fixes an error when merging a model with lights, cameras and V-Ray planes
- mental ray and V-Ray proxies now yield the same pivot position results
- Models: the context menu item 'Merge to scene' now works like the Max 'merge' function
- The 'New models' function now works with single objects and groups

HCG Asset Browser PRO is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs $99. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v0.85 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for converting Pencil+ 2 materials to Pencil+ 3 materials
- Adds the Pencil+ 3 line converter

Changes for v3.0 are:
- Faster material calculation
- Adds a line edge recognition function
- Adds a line color replacement function
- Adds a new highlight calculation function
- Improved gradation bar usability
- The number of zones is now freely adjustable
- Adds Zone ID management
- Adds a Zone presets feature
- You can now convert stroke maps to standard maps
- The number of stroke maps is now freely adjustable
- Enhancements to the use of multi-/sub- materials
- Faster line calculation
- Adds Line ID management
- Adds independent outline settings
- Adds a material list update feature
- Adds edge selection for EPS output
- Adds a perspective deformation modifier
- Adds a normal copy modifier
- Improvements to render elements output
- Improvements to the line merge helper

Pencil+ is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs ¥52,500. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v0.3 are:
- General code refactoring and small optimizations
- Fixes some UI bugs
- You can now cancel the current export process
- Verified that the plugin works in 32-bit Max 2010 on 64-bit Windows 7

Changes for v2010.1.261361 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for Maya 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for Softimage 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for Photoshop CS5

Changes for v2010.09.09 are:
- Adds a new Sky object - LuxSky (under Lights->Luxrender)
- Adds a new Sun object - LuxSun (under Lights->Luxrender)
- Removed the 'default' light creation function, so you now NEED to create a light before rendering
- Improved the 'LR ImageMap' UI
- 'LR ImageMap' now shows the map in the viewport
- Adds the 'Glass2' material (not yet feature complete)
- Rough Glass now supports textures/image maps
- Matte translucent now also supports textures
- The NK Data file is now correctly sent for network rendering

Changes for v1.6.3.26644 are:
- Fixes base state being altered when re-recording state set with layer(s)
- Fixes an error when saving scenes with ungrouped schematic view composite nodes
- Fixes internal entity layout deserialization error on european-cultured machines
- Adds an 'Add selected' right-click option to layers

Zookeeper is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs $249. A demo version is available here.

Chaos Group has started beta-testing their upcoming GPU version of V-Ray RT, and have opened the beta phase to all current users of V-Ray RT for Max. Full information can be found here.

They have also announced the release date of the upcoming version 2.0 of their V-Ray renderer (which will include V-Ray RT and V-Ray RT GPU) as well as pricing information. The official release date is planned for 6th of December 2010, and all of the info on the V-Ray 2.0 Upgrade and Pricing policy can be found here.

Changes for v3.2.68 are:
- Fixes issues with removing links

FilePathFinder Pro is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $30. A demo version is available here.

Changes for Build 1740 are:
- Mozilla/Gecko upgrade (to FF4b4 source)
- Bug-fixes

Hugo Apellido has released a couple of beta plugins over at SourceForge:

- SOF2BSP Load v1.0.0.8 Beta, which can import Soldier of Fortune II levels into Max

- MAP Export v1.0.0.6 Beta, which can export levels from Max to the .MAP file format used in SoF II and Quake III (among others)

He has also recompiled Fabio Policarpo's Fly3D Curved Surface object for use in Max 2.5 and Max 9.

Changes for v1.1.4 are:
- Adds support for Max Design 2009 to 2011

NmoTion is available for Max 2009 to 2011, and costs €219. A demo version is available here.

Changes for Build 20100904 are:
- Reflection and refraction now use only one Glossy Sample Curve
- The Force Sample value has been removed from the UI
- The Contour Simple Shader has been added to all TH-Materials
- Shader Utilities can now be used to set up the Contour Shader
- The Contour Shader can now be added/removed/set up for every Arch&Design material in the scene

Shader Utilities Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs €149. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.457 include:
- Changes default Max Profiles to allow the plugin to highlight version for profile selection
- Fixes missing instance parameters in Max
- Fixes export of frozen objects when 'Hide frozen objects' is enabled in Max
- Fixes the 'multiplier' parameter of the mia_physicalsun shader in the Max plugin
- Fixes an error message when the Max plugin connects to Rendition for the first time
- Fixes Max export of photons for disabled lights

Rendition is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $395. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v0.6 are:
- Adds support for Thin Film Interference
- Adds support for animation
- In a perspective view, a camera named 'viewport' is created if there are no cameras in the scene
- Fixes a bug with duplicated material names inside multimaterials
- Fixes a bug with non-consecutive IDs inside multimaterials in certain situations
- A material converter (beta) has been added to the Max2Thea menu

Max2Thea is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs €16.26. A demo version is available here.

Mankua have updated their great free plugins Stress, ViewTools and PowerStamper for use in Max 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit).

This is exactly the same as the motion.dlc that ships with Max, except that it adds another 16 MIDI tracks to the controller.

You'll need to rename the file called 'motion.dlc' in the Max stdplugs folder to 'motion.dlc.old' and then copy the file you need from the zip file into the stdplugs folder.

Changes for v1.6.0.43178 are:
- Increased performance of particle loading, lighting, matting and rendering
- New Shadow Generation Workflow introducing OpenEXR-based Deep Opacity Maps
- Render Elements Support using the 3ds Max workflows
- MagmaFlow improvements including new Surface Operators for geometry data lookup
- New FumeFX direct rendering workflow via a dedicated PRT FumeFX object and FumeFX 2.0 support
- Improved UI startup performance
- Optimized user interface navigation
- MAXScript reading access to particle data
- Major bug-fixes
- Workflow improvements across the board

Krakatoa is available for Max 8 to 2011 and costs $995 plus support. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.01 are:
- Reloading a saved .max file with a point cloud now refreshes/loads the source cloud data
- Render LOD -> Custom LOD now works
- Render with Additive Volume no longer results in mental ray warnings and errors
- When Use Display Volumes is unchecked, point clouds no longer render with assigned volumes
- After multiple Display Volumes are deleted, point clouds no longer render
- Render Color -> Use Display Color now works
- All properties have been made non-animatable except LOD
- Color Leaves have been removed from the UI
- The PTS to PTSB Converter Utility has been removed from the UI

The Project Helix Technology Preview will be made available only for a limited time, so download Project Helix soon.

Changes for v2.4 are:
- Adds support for Max 2010 and 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)