Changes for v10.1.2 are:
- No idea, but it is a critical update for all of the Autodesk 2011 products

Craft Director Studio is available for Max 7 to 2011 and prices range from $99 to $1199. A demo version is available here.

It looks as if iCube Creative Group are nearly ready to release their MultiScatter plugin. According to this post on their forum, beta-testing is finished and they are at the moment releasing a pre-release version to beta-testers. The official release will be soon.

Changes for v3.2.16 are:
- Fixes some issues with collecting preview thumbnails
- Fixes a problem due to a bug in Max 2011 with the decimal divider

FilePathFinder Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs $30. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v0.9.7 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 (32-bit only)
- Small changes to compile with OSG 2.8
- Hidden nodes are not preprocessed
- Adds support for Mix Texmap
- Adds support for export of texture matrix
- Textures created from Bitmap objects are cached during export process
- Export textures option should work correctly now

Changes for v2.4.5 are:
- Remote configuring of clients can now exclude offline clients
- When manually shutting down/rebooting a client you can now set its timeout
- Adds new Renderer System API functions: Result.Clear and CmdLineSwitch.VerifySwitchDependency
- Adds an option in renderer parameters to put quotes around each list item
- Renderer parameters can now depend on other parameters
- The remote client configuration can now be accessed via hotkey
- Further extended the minimize options
- The render set autosave file has been moved to the Config directory
- You can now add path map entries with the same in-path if the OS type differs
- The 'time left' estimation algorithm has been rewritten
- 'RenderSet.GetValueCount' now has an optional value names parameter
- Updated to zlib 1.2.5
- Trailing backslashes in path values are now automatically removed
- You can now edit standard renderer parameters
- The server no longer wakes up clients that wouldn't be used for rendering afterwards
- Updated to SQLite 3.6.23
- Vastly improved the configuration of renderer executables
- The renderer and remote client configuration dialogs are now resizable
- Loads of renderer updates to reflect the new renderer system features
- The remote client configuration dialog no longer shows empty pools
- The global map path is no longer lost when closing the server
- The event log can now properly display events containing a pipe (|)
- Fixes a bug that could crash the client and cause weird client behaviour in the server
- Clients now properly acknowledge cancel requests received for jobs it has just processed
- Adds a possible fix for clients hanging at 'cancelling' indefinitely

RenderPal is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs €45 for a single node license. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v4.523 are:
- Multiple cameras per pass added for stereo support
- Adds a 'VptBG to Env' checkbox in the preview overrrides
- Adds Named Selection Set support for Visibility Sets
- Adds Named Selection Set Collection support for Visibility Sets
- Adds a checkbox to auto setup the split channels property of V-Ray
- Preview overrides now has a pixel aspect option
- Preview mode now has options for anaglyph image display
- Select by pass color is now in the 'pass selection tools' submenu
- Adds support for the new EXR plugin in the 2010 connection pack
- Fixes a problem with RPMCaptureProps.getMyPropDefinitions
- Helpers can now have properties captured/restored (ie PRS)
- Adds support for V-Ray SP4
- RPMUserAutoBeforeScript is now always called before a network submission
- RPMMaterials controlled scene-wise now update correctly when deleting a pass
- Display prop holders no longer error for objects with no .pos property
- Fixes checked passes being messed up when opening an existing scene with RPM already open
- Custom attribute errors on 64-bit Max should now no longer occur
- Viewport preview out to individual AVI now uses the correct output aspect
- Pixel aspect is hosed in 2010 Design on BB submit - using command line submit fixes it
- V-Ray split buffer is now created correctly when the path is set
- Fixes a bug when duplicating a V-Ray pass and keeping the materials instanced
- Fixes a few problems with pass colouring
- Some V-Ray layout issues have been fixed
- Fixes a problem with the V-Ray cache manager
- Warnings have been modified to support V-Ray raw output
- Render element backburner splits are now supported
- Fixes a UI update problem in Deadline 3 SP1
- Fixes the pass rename utility

This version of RPManager is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $300. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v3.2.12 are:
- Adds compatibility to the Slate Material Editor
- Adds a helper tool for placing objects
- Adds support for the standard method of file drag&drop with the Shift-key
- You can now rotate objects using the CTRL-key (clockwise) and ALT-key (counter clockwise)
- Adds the ability to render previews for Max scenes with the "Render Preview" tool
- You can now search, relink and collect files included in Material Library files
- Adds the ability to collect preview thumbnails with source files
- Adds the ability to remove maps by links from scene
- Fixes a problem due to a bug in Max 2010 and 2011 with Custom Dependents Files
- Fixes some issues with dragging material libraries onto objects and into the ME
- Fixes some issues in Max 2011 with dragging objects onto the viewport
- Fixes issues when egzMaterials are installed
- Fixes issues with texture size attributes when System and Display Units differ

FilePathFinder Pro is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and costs $30. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.451 are:
- Fix to options CPP interface

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

Changes for v1.71 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Morph ToolKit is available for Max 6 to 2011 and costs $199. A demo version is available here.

cebas VISUAL TECHNOLOGY Inc. have released a new installer for psd-manager v2.1 that adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011. Registered users can download the installer from their my.cebas.com page.

psd-manager v2.1 is available for Max 2008 to 2011 and costs €150. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.10 are:
- Adds a cache feature that can bake both surfaces and particles

PWrapper is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs €295. A demo version is available here.

Di-O-Matic have just released an updated version of Pose-O-Matic for their VIP members. It is now compatible with Max 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit). Pose-O-Matic is a plugin for bone-based rigs that extends Morph-O-Matic.

Sitni Sati have uploaded new installers for the Max 2011 versions of FumeFX, AfterBurn and DreamScape. They can be downloaded from the Sitni Sati members area.

Changes for v4.2 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Fixes a problem with 'Choose Bitmap' in the Surface Parameters Rollout

Dynamite VSP is available for Max 2009 to 2011 and pricing starts at €3495

Changes for v1.4.2.36789 are:
- Fixes scene crashes on loading when saved certain state sets
- State sets now track viewport shading type and transparency level
- State sets now track grid on/off and overall layout
- Adds 'setup render outputs' option to master state set
- Fixes nodes in tree view not auto-expanding after being reparented in viewport
- Adds multiple convenience options to reset default layout to in main menu
- Fixes groups appearing in tree views even when filtered out by name
- Fixes tree view scrolling too far in multi-pane layout on always show visible
- Viewport panning/zooming is now tracked by state sets
- Tree view automatically goes into single pane layout if necessary

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

Changes for v1.4.1.3 are:
- Fixed a minor naming bug in the scripts

Changes for v2.8.35.0 are:
- Improved support for uncompressed animation curves
- (internal) Improved NULL parameters passed to bulk memory operations
- (internal) Corrects an uninitialized array in the exporter

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

Changes for v2.3 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Improved stability and performance
- Fixes an issue with refreshing the markers list
- Fixes an iInstallation issue with Max 2009
- Static poses presets are now saved in the .max scene file
- Fixes autoload .mom file failing if the file didn't exist
- Fixes a problem that sometimes occurred when loading a .mom file
- Fixes a problem where capture current state could fail

Morph-O-Matic is available for Max 6 to 2011 and costs $249. A demo version is available here.

3ds Max to 3D PDF allows you to export your 3D scenes and designs with one click to the popular 3D PDF format, which can then be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Features include:
- Control of generated PDF document parameters
- Full control over the 3D section
- Choose to show or hide 3D PDF toolbar in the PDF
- Enhance security by utilizing the optional password parameter
- Optionally merge the generated 3D PDF file with an existing PDF
- Increase your PDF impact by including MP3 sound
- Export different cameras from Max
- Better control over header and footer text
- Advanced users can insert their own Java Scripts

3ds Max to 3D PDF is available for Max 2009 and 2010, and costs $75 for a limited time. A demo version is available here.

This plugin allows you to experiment with the power of augmented reality inside Max. Simply put, the augmented reality technology allows you to visualize your 3D creations directly in the real physical space which sorrounds them. Your models can be viewed directly on your desktop or any physical location by connecting a simple webcam and printing a suitable code.

Files created with the Exporter can be visualized on any computer with the freely available AR-media Player, meaning you can animate and export your models and distribute them to your clients as independent, stand-alone files, and let your clients experience your work in augmented reality.

Inglobe Technologies have posted a couple of videos to demonstrate what you can do with their plugin: Video 1 | Video 2.

AR-media Plugin & Exporter is available for Max 2010 and 2011, and costs €249. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2010.04.19 are:
- Adds a 64-bit version of the plugin
- You can now set DOF distance manually or use a pickbutton to choose the focus object
- Adds the older material script code for 'Glossy' material
- Gamma now defaults to 1.0 (not 2.2 like before)
- Fixes an error when creating a new Blackbody material
- Adds DOF in the 'LuxCam' settings
- Hides lots of unused GUI stuff from the camera UI

Changes for v1.09 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds a cache feature to bake surfaces

PWrapper is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs €295. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.3.31 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Fixes some issues found in previous versions

glu3D is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs €495. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.3.1 are:
- Fixes a problem with the Slate Material Editor in Max 2011

The link above is for the Max 2010 / 2011 version of the plugin. For Max 8 to 2009 you need this one.

Changes for v1.4 are:
- Updates the shader so it works in mental ray 3.8+ and Max 2011

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

Changes for v1.3 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Hercules Select: Improved stability with Poly objects
- Muscles: Fixes remove with right-click menu
- Improved Cluster-O-Matic support in HerculesDeform modifier

Hercules is available for Max 6 to 2011 and costs $499. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.71 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Improved stability with Poly objects
- Improved paint selection mode

Cluster-O-Matic is available for Max 6 to 2011 and costs $149. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v6.10 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds Archvision RPC 3.17 support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011
- Improved multi-threading render engine
- Improved support for NVIDIA Quadro FX graphics boards
- Improved loading times and render performance
- Improved support of long sessions
- A number of smaller improvements and fixes for increased stability
- Adds a new rstart utility to VR4MAX Extreme
- Improved loading and GUI response time especially with large models
- The new BSP Tree optimizer lets you improve real-time render performance
- A new Max helper allows you to use sub-menus in the Behavior menu
- The pivot point of an object can now be displayed
- Visibility information of objects within XRefs are now stored in the main model
- Fixes various issues with NVIDIA Quadro FX graphics boards
- Navigator Pro no longer freezes when moving the camera
- Navigator Pro no longer crashes when selecting feedback mode
- Navigator Pro no longer freezes when pressing ctrl-F6
- Collision detection now works for objects linked to a disabled Joint
- Touch event now only fires when an object is hit
- Deflection now works properly
- Fixes a bug in the floating box in Navigator Pro 64-bit
- AVI maps now render

VR4MAX is available for Max 6 to 2011 and costs €1100. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v6.x.71.0 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Fixes a bug where non-custom normals could cause a crash

Changes for v1.4.0.29214 are:
- Fixes node state set 'forgetting' its state when re-recording
- Node material state set now remembers the initial state before first recording
- Environment color state change now displays a color picker
- Fixes inverted scene node colors when changing them in tree view
- Adds Zookeeper for Max 2011 install option
- Zookeeper for Max 2011 now conforms to new Max.NET 2011 framework
- Fixes inserting nodes into wire not working for objects
- Scene nodes are no longer deselected when a layer is selected

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

Changes for v2010.04.14 are:
- Adds support for IOR on/off
- Adds support for IOR values
- Fixes a problem with exporting glass

Changes for v1.4.1.2 are:
- Adds Max fastExport scripts
- Adds beta support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Changes for v1.0 Build 1733 are:
- Bug-fixes

Changes for v1.1.9.5 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)

MaxDotNet is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $675 for commercial use. For non-commercial use the plugin is free. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.450 are:
- Fix for shaders that check state instance after a trace function
- Fix to potential crash in instance light linking
- Adds support for Max 2011
- Adds support for Maya 2011
- Fix to render profile links for Max 2011
- Corrected default link libraries for Max 2011
- Fix to triggering the Rendition x64 for x64 version of Max
- Adds further render profiles for Softimage

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

Changes for v3.3.1 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Fixes a crash bug when creating objects in Generate mode without assigning a spline

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

cebas VISUAL TECHNOLOGY Inc. have released new Max 2011 installers for pyroCluster 3.5, finalDOF 1.5, finalFlares 1.5, maxVR.qt 2.0 and stairMAX R2. Registered users can download them from their my.cebas.com page.

Changes for v4.4.12 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)

PolyTrans-for-MAX is available for Max 8 to 2011 and costs $395. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.1.2 are:
- Fixes some minor GUI bugs
- Adds support for Max 2010
- The 'Script Priority' value in the Virtools Properties can now be negative
- Adds command line support to Batch Virtools Export
- Adds a checkbox to enable/disable the updates check at Max startup
- Adds an indicator to show 'Demo' or 'Registered' version

NmoTion is available for Max 2009 and 2010. I don't have any pricing information at the moment. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.2 are:
- Optimized calculation when one of the solver nodes displays the trajectory
- Fixes matching and inheritance problems with pivot targets of animatable constraints
- Fixes an issue with selection of shared keys when the 'show all nodes keys' is on
- Fixes problems when reloading XRefs
- Fixes a problem when cancelling cloning
- Fixes a problem with repeated undo operations
- Goal parent matching and shifting mode when rotating has been disabled
- The MAXScript createikfk function now returns the ikgoal node

Changes for v1.0.3 are:
- Fixes issues with IKFK solver implementation
- Fixes issues with assigning pivots in IKFKsolver
- Fixes issues with changing pivot parent
- Fixes objects with constraints not inheriting parent transforms
- Fixes object position changing if the pivot is removed
- Object transforms when changing parents are now accurate

Itoo Software have posted a couple of very interesting videos (Video 1 | Video 2) showing the first public presentation of RailClone, their upcoming parametric modelling plugin. The development is very advanced, but there are no details on release dates or pricing at the moment.

Changes for v1.0.01 are:
- Adds full command-line support through arncmd.exe
- NetWarrior now supports arncmd.exe (animations / batched remote rendering)
- Adds descriptive readme.txt about the Watchdog Timer in the /registry folder
- Near 2x faster CUDA rendering core, depending on the scene
- Framebuffer RAM usage decreased by a factor of 7x
- You can now pick which CUDA device(s) will be enabled
- Automatic detection of the maximum number of CUDA threads per block
- Better handling of heavy geometry
- Max number of materials pushed up to 128 (no performance hit)
- Fixes the Sun radius
- Moved on to CUDA Toolkit 3.0 Release

Arion is available for Max 6 to 2011 and costs €775 for the single GPU version, €995 for the multi-GPU version.

Changes for Nova Studio 2010 are:
- Completely revised UI for more simplicity and intuitivity
- NOVA 2010 now supports FBX, DXF, OBJ and 3DS in addition to DAE and X formats
- Adds full support for DirectX 10
- Adds support for DirectX 10 4.0 shaders
- Adds full support for 64-bits with a unified installer
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds support for Revit 2011
- Nova Web Player now supports IE, Firefox, Opera, Safari and Chrome
- Adds a new version of the Vortex Physics engine
- The real time shadows engine has been completely redesigned
- Adds new post-process effects: blur, motion blur, depth of field
- Adds ambient occlusion
- Adds a multi-touch mode for use on multi-touch touchscreens
- Adds support for the NVIDIA 3D Vision stereoscopy technology
- You can now define webcams as sources of textures

Nova Studio 2010 Ultimate is available for Max 7 to 2011 and costs €3490. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0 Build 20100410 are:
- Adds a DWG Cleaner for faster material scene conversion
- Adds a Universal Option list
- Adds support for Raytrace Material to mental ray conversion

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

Changes for v2011.2 are:
- UI has several new features and options for file conversion
- Adds a new 'Troubleshooting and Limitations' chapter to the documentation
- Fixes a problem with write permissions and embedded textures
- You can now export single-key animation
- Adds support for Max instances
- Adds support for Max references
- You can now embed textures in ASCII files
- The new FBX format contains file size optimizations resulting in smaller files
- Adds a new Resample animation option so you can bake all supported / unsupported elements

Changes for v4.20 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- BonesPro now accepts shape objects as bones
- Adds support for various additional object types as bones
- Improves handling and accuracy of certain object types such as CAT muscles
- Soft selection now supports custom falloff curves
- Various minor fixes, including improved *.bpm file handling of CAT bones

BonesPro is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs €299. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v5.0 are:
- Adds Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 support
- Adds Softimage 2011 support
- Adds Maya 2011 support
- Softimage FBX plugin now uses the latest FBX library (2011)
- New FBX scene scaling import and export options
- New FBX batch processing commands to support the scaling options
- DotXSI, Collada and FBX plugins now support Softimage 2011 materials

Changes for v1.0.3b are:
- Fixes some material presets
- Adds an option to specify default presets tab
- The material name is now displayed immediately in the Material Editor

MR Material Presets Pro is available for Max 2009 and 2010, and costs €37. If you purchase it now, you will receive free updates up to the final v1.0.

Changes for v10.1 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Craft Director Studio is available for Max 7 to 2011 and prices range from $99 to $1199. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0 Build 20100409 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds a new installer
- Adds support for V-Ray 1.5 SP4 to mental ray conversion
- Adds support for MetaSL to TH-Materials conversion
- Adds support for TH-Materials to MetaSL conversion
- Removes incompatible maps
- Adds 'Color by Object' function (works with A&D material)
- Many bug-fixes
- Adds a demo-scene for testing

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

Changes for v3.17.0 Beta 5 are:
- Max/Maya 2011 support (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Vertex color support for dotXSI files
- Improved AO quality
- Tons of bugs corrected

cebas VISUAL TECHNOLOGY Inc. have released new Max 2011 installers for volumeBreaker SP2 and ThinkingParticles v3.0 SP2. Registered users can download them from their my.cebas.com page.

Changes for v1.4.0.18884 are:
- State set icons can now be toggled on/off to make a state set active or inactive
- Adds tooltips for node, layer, and state set buttons
- Layers and nodes now have all their properties tracked by state sets
- Fixes tree views not allowing type-in values for textboxes and spinners
- Render element on/off status is now tracked by state sets
- Adds a custom scripted state which can be added to state sets
- Mental Ray renderer properties are now tracked by state sets
- Light properties are now being tracked by state sets
- Main menu 'Views' option now has icons for all entries
- 'Add Views' option now allows you to add layer, object, and stateset manager
- Fixes a display problem in objects view if show always selected is turned on
- Adds Tooltips for all tree and schematic filter icons and some treeview menus
- Fixed object view with flat hierarchy still shows hierarchy if nodes are relinked
- Adds icons for scripted, environment, and viewport states
- Adds parenting options for dragged node outputs

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

Changes for v3.17 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)

This version of RPC is available for Max 2011 and costs $219. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2010.04.08 are:
- Fixes a hang if there is no environment map
- Speeds up scene export

Changes for v1.0.35 are:
- Adds a new Toon Diffuse parameter for Hair Material Simple
- You can now Copy/Paste/Instance any curve of any Hair Farm modifier
- Hair Farm Renderer is no longer spawned when it is not needed
- HairMesh Sim now properly handles map button display
- Fixes a bug in Realistic shadow color computation

Hair Farm is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs $699.95. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.448 include:
- Adds image metadata reading to script
- Fix to add scope to api variable checking
- Fix to inheritance for instance lightlists and groups
- Fix to mi_lookup_color_texture() to support procedural texture

Rendition is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs $395. A demo version is available here.

Batzal Ghost shader allows you to fade out several objects or particle effects directly in one pass when rendering with mental ray. Instead of controlling the objects material transparency it allows you to control the opacity of the whole pass on the rendered image. This saves you the time and effort of rendering one image without the objects, one image with the objects and blending them together with a post processing software.

Batzal Ghost shader is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $30. A demo version is available here.

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

This shader is aimed specifically at Mudbox vector displacement maps and is very easy to both install and use. It currently supports OpenEXR World and Object Space Mudbox Vector Displacement maps, and comes in 32-bit and 64-bit flavours.

Changes for v1.55 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Angle based seam placements are now split into separate ridge and groove settings
- Source map channels can now be different to target channels
- Simplified UI to make using the plugin more intuitive
- Enhanced unwrap results for specific cases
- Enhanced baking when using multiple material types without common slots
- Minor improvements to network rendering and default settings
- Minor improvements to issues with selection locks combined with selection sets

Flatiron is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs €249. A demo version is available here.

Autodesk have released a new hotfix for Max 2010 and Max Design 2010. The hotfix addresses issues with stability and performance.

Specific areas addressed are:
- Autodesk Backburner
- Biped
- Hardware Meshes
- mental ray
- Microsoft DirectX Shader Material
- Save as Previous
- Scripted Custom Attributes
- Scene Explorer
- User Interface

cebas VISUAL TECHNOLOGY Inc. have released a new Max 2011 installer for finalRender R3, finalRender R3 SE and finalToon R3. Registered users can download it from their my.cebas.com page.

Changes for v2.1 Build 1646/1647 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds a Brazil utilities / bonus tools ribbon panel for Max 2011's ribbon interface
- Material code has been enhanced to support Max 2011's node-based material editor
- Further improvements to the Sashimi rendering bonus tool
- The Accelerators Tester now tests the kD-Tree Accelerator in Professional-Stable and Rio
- The Accelerators Tester can now disable/re-enable network rendering
- Code changes in the Advanced, Utility and Toon materials for better compatibility with NodeJoe
- Cloning an Area Light Mesher no longer causes problems with the original object
- Fixes a minor problem with the Set VFB Background Image bonus tool
- Fixes the 'Modified CNS' available through the Protocolor bonus tool
- Minor UI text updates in Sashimi, Glow/Blur, Simple Exposure and the AreaLight Mesher
- The Communications Center script now delivers version-specific updates
- Adds an option to enable/disable the Max 2011 Ribbon Panel in the installer
- The Bonus Tools now self-install to the Max application data folder
- The documentation has been updated to reflect the changes in this release

This version of Brazil r/s is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs $995. A demo version is available here.

As you've probably all noticed, Max 2011 has been released to subscription customers, so I've just finished a small update to the site to make it Max 2011 compatible.

For now, I've just made all Max 2010 plugins in the database into Max 2011 plugins. If for any reason you find a Max 2010 plugin that doesn't work in Max 2011, please let me know so I can update the database.

I've also dumped the separate categories for 32-bit and 64-bit plugins. You now have the option to show your search results as 32-bit only, 64-bit only or both. There are a few other changes for search results, but nothing really worth mentioning here. If you find anything not working right, let me know.

MR Material Presets Pro is a powerful scripted material collection for Max and mental ray. It includes material presets and templates such as Leather (24), Ceramics (252), Metal (53) and Floors (57). It has a simple, user-friendly interface and is useful for mental ray beginners and power users.

MR Material Presets Pro is available for Max 2009 and 2010, and costs €37. If you purchase it now, you will receive free updates up to the final v1.0.

This plugin enables Max to hook up to LuxRender, an open-source, free software rendering system for physically correct, unbiased rendering. It is now being developed by Stig Atle Steffensen. At the moment there is only a 32-bit version for Max 2010, so I've left the old version in the database as well.

This version of LuxMax offers support for the following features:
- LuxCam & perspective
- LightMaterial
- MatteMaterial
- GlossyMaterial
- GlassMaterial
- WireColorMaterial (Use object wirecolor as matte color value)
- MetalMaterial
- EnviromentMap
- CarPaintMaterial
- ScaleTexture
- ConstantTexture
- CheckerBoardTexture
- ImageMapTexture
- Direct light
- Omni light
- Sun\Sky

MaxAssistant is an easy-to-use toolbox for Max which can greatly improve your efficiency and optimize your workflow, especially when you are dealing with a complex scene
Key features include:
- Easy access to scene information at anytime
- Various object and material tools to help you deal with your max scene
- A rename tool
- Various tools for working on Editable poly objects and their sub-objects
- Easily create or delete buttons to call other scripts
- And much more...

MaxAssistant is available for Max 9 to 2010 and pricing will be announced soon. A demo version is available here.

Changes for Build 1731 are:
- Webpage renderer upgrade
- LZMA library upgrade
- Bug fixes
- Export of Infinity Shader parameters

Changes for v2.11 are:
- Fixes a few issues for unwraps with a non-square aspect ratio

Unwrella is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs €149. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.4.1 are:
- Fixes an installation issue in the v1.4.0 Max exporter

Changes for v2.8.34.0 are:
- Exporters installed by the one-click installer now have the tool version encoded into them
- The Blend editor selection options have been enhanced
- The Mirroring API is now fully blessed and documented
- Adds extraction of Face Sets connected to meshes to the Maya plugin
- Fixes a rare memory exhaustion problem in super-large Max scenes
- Fixes a problem with the Max name extraction for meshes
- Fixes a case where two bones with the same name are the child of the same parent in Max
- Adds 'Reset Graph' for starting over in the blend editor
- Operations that modify the graph state in the blend editor now correctly mark it as changed
- Preprocessor output is now a little more automatic
- GrannySetFileDiskAlignment now creates valid aligned files when targeting non-native platforms
- (internal) Improved logging in the exporter for the inverse precision warning
- (internal) Aligned version: GrannyPlatformConvertReaderToWriter
- (internal) Fixes an SxS assembly problem that could crash the Max exporter

Granny Exporter is available for Max 6 to 2010, and is part of the Granny Toolkit which costs $12500.

Changes for v1.10 are:
- Adds support for Max 2011 and Max Design 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Adds MAXScript support
- UV chart input data can now be taken from a different UV map channel
- Padding between UV charts has been adjusted
- Charts now keep correct distance to the edges of the UV map
- Adds options for fixed aspect ratio and user defined preview colors
- Simplified UI to make using the plugin even more intuitive

UV-Packer is available for Max 9 to 2011 and costs €79. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0.33 are:
- Hair Shadow Map sampling is now closer to Max shadow map
- Changes to the shader of Hair Material Realistic
- Both hair materials can now use a bump map to add variations along the strands
- finalRender compatibility issues have been resolved
- Hair Farm Renderer can now work with other atmospheric effects
- HairMesh Edit now automatically handles multiple sub-materials along with custom face colors
- HairMesh Edit now can be controlled using the Quad Menu
- Bug fixes in shadow map computation
- Minor bug fixes to HairMesh Edit selection interface
- Fixes a crash with HairMesh Edit
- Fixes HairMesh Smooth messing up vertex indices
- Fixes a bug in HairMesh Extrude

Hair Farm is available for Max 9 to 2010 and costs $699.95. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.0.27 are:
- The AGS wizard has been updated to match MXED
- Maxwell Render nodes can now be created from MAXScript
- 'Use Max Instancing' is now turned off by default
- Adds a button to the Render Globals panel to export the scene and submit it for network rendering
- IES viewport preview now works when Max is set to use DX10
- Fixes a problem where the SimuLens rollup was duplicated
- RFRK objects are no longer mirrored in the viewport
- Devignetting is now exported correctly
- Coatings are now loaded correctly when importing an MXM file
- Displacement now renders even if the first layer of the material is disabled
- The viewport LOD control for proxy objects now works
- Fixes a crash when copying a proxy object
- Fixes viewport refresh problems when moving proxy objects
- Depth pass minimum and maximum values are no longer swapped
- Proxy objects can now be created from the right-click menu if Max is set to use DX10
- Fixes a crash when using RFRK objects in 64-bit Max 2010
- Fixes an export problem when Max is set to use DX10
- The viewport representation for IES emitters now inherits rotation from it's parent object

The Maxwell 3ds Max plugins come with Maxwell Render, which is available for Max 7 to 2010 and costs €895. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.03 include:
- Format and depth of each channel can now be changed individually in the Render Options panel
- Output paths now support macros
- Render type (diffuse+reflection, diff. only, refl. only) can now be set with the command line
- Fixes and optimizes multithreading routines that were generating artifacts
- Fixes a crash using SSS with roughness
- Fixes a potential problem with the object ID channel in scenes with instances
- Fixes a viewer problem in Windows
- Loading an image in the viewer after rendering and stopping no longer fails
- The Maxwell Render license key now has a new location

Maxwell Render is available for Max 7 to 2010 and costs €895. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.0 are:
- Fixes a bug in the logs inspection window
- Fixes a bug in the chunks view
- Fixes a bug in the Mysql driver
- Fixes a bug that caused the duplication of logs entries in the log files
- Fixes a bug that caused disappearing workspaces
- Fixes a bug when sending jobs through Mrtool
- Fixes a display bug present when activating the 'folders progress' feature
- CPU and RAM usage is now broadcast along with the hosts presence
- Adds a feature to copy an existing user
- Job names are now parsed using a sanity check
- You can now store configuration presets on a platform basis
- You can now select a job contained in the exclusions list
- You can now change templates and define string counterparts for exit codes
- You can now spawn multiple instances of Console by using the '- allowmultipleinstances' flag
- You can now automate the Console connection
- The CTRL+F shortcut now creates a folder instead of opening the frame check
- There's a new Move job feature in the jobs popup menu
- You can specify an override for the templates local cache folder using the '- templatesdir' flag
- Adds a new feature that automatically deletes orphaned instances
- You can now resize the labels and fields of the submission view
- Massive operations on chunks have been heavily optimized

Muster is available for Max 8 to 2010 and costs $85. A demo version is available here.

As I mentioned last month, I'm getting ready to modernise the site a bit, so if you have any criticisms or suggestions, or thoughts about how I can organise things better, let me know! Just click on the Email link at the top of the page, I'll be really grateful for any ideas and suggestions.

And thanks a lot to the people who have already contacted me with their ideas, there is loads of good stuff in there!

Dave