Daniel Yu has posted versions of most of his freeware plugins for Max 4. They are:

- Range Fog v3.1.0.1 - Range Fog applies fog effectively in a non-flat range from the viewpoint instead of a flat depth level.

- Simple Spike v1.0.3.1 - A simple geometry modifier that randomly pushes vertices out towards the bounding box to create a spikey effect.

- Cubify v1.0.3.1 - A geometry modifier that pushes an object out until it starts to fill its bounding box.

- Cel Filter v1.0.3.2 - A filter that attempts to give rendered images a 2D-like hand-drawn feel.

- Sketch v1.32 - Attempts to produce a 'stroked' hand-drawn look by adding lines of varying width/length to the rendered image.

- Film Grain (Plus) v1.0.3.2 - Simulates the look of old film by adding dirt, specks, 'hair' and vertical scratches.

Changes for v6.29.2001 are:
- Added Center Point option.
- 'Better' defaults (colored jack shape).
- Reversed behaviour of shift key during creation (Null defaults to world alignment now).
- Null doesn't crash in D3D mode anymore.
- Couldn't select Null in OGL or D3D mode with certain display options on (fixed).

This is a stereoscopic visualization plugin for Max 3.x and 4.x. The stereo output supports the following stereo formats: Above & Below (requires a sync-doubler, EPC-2), Stereo Frame Buffering (requires a stereo capable graphics card or StereoEnabler). Plus you can save stereo images to disk to be viewed later by stereo viewing packages such as Sudden Depth from Chasm Graphics. Images and animations can be saved in either the above & below format or in standard (full resolution) side by side JPEG format.

Digimation have announced that the Max 4 patch for UltraShock is now available.

RayMax v4.0 Beta1 from Absolute Software GmbH is available for beta testing. This is the Beta 1 version, and is fully operational for 4 weeks. RayMax is a raytracer forMax, and this new version is also a full-blown global illumination renderer.

It would seem that some plugins will need to be recompiled before they will work in Max 4.2, so it might be worth waiting for the updated plugins before you install the 4.2 upgrade. As soon as any plugins are recompiled, you will be able to find them here.

Discreet has released an upgrade for Max 4. The patch can be found here. Be warned, it is 51.5 MB in size(!). The read-me file can be downloaded here.

Changes include:
- Overall memory efficiency improved.
- Performance increases in TrackView, TrackBar, Particles, RPF, and ActiveShade.
- Workflow enhancements in Skin, CustomAttributes, RenderElements, Subdivision Surfaces (HSDS, MeshSmooth), Parameter Wiring, Groups, ActiveShade, and PolyObjects.
- For a complete list of changes, click here.

The download also patches Character Studio up to version 3.2, and reactor up version 1.2. Other Max 4.2 downloads include updates for the SDK (11.4 MB), tutorials (13.6 MB), and the helpfiles for Max (25.7 MB) and MaxScript (3.85 MB).

CoreVision have unveiled a new plugin for use with their DeepValley plugin. ShadeValley is a scripted material plugin for terrain objects generated by DeepValley. It works on Max 3.x and 4. The materials created by ShadeValley are optimized to the shape of terrain (slope, valley, ridge, etc) generated by DeepValley. This beta version works with authorized DeepValley version 1.0.3.

I have no idea what's been changed in this version, because I can't read Japanese. If anyone can help me out, I'd be very grateful!

I have no idea what's been changed in this version, because I can't read Japanese. If anyone can help me out, I'd be very grateful!

The Morpher extension provides complete access to the weighted morpher modifier in Max 4 - without this extension the access provided is very limited.

Changes for v0.98 are:
- Fixes a crashes with topology changing modifiers above it such as tesselate and meshsmooth
- Smooth, Move Orig Normal, Select Faces/Verts now only work on mesh objects
- Should be more stable with non mesh type objects

At the moment there are 137 plugins in the database. If anyone knows of any I have missed out, or wants to let me know when new plugins come out, just mail me at the address above.

Cambridge Animation Systems are offering their Inkworks renderer for Max R3.x at the super low price of $49.95. Go here for more details.

I have added a new database for commercial plugins. It is basically a reference for all plugins that are on sale at the moment for all versions of Max. At the moment there are 136 plugins in the database. If anyone knows of any I have missed out, or wants to let me know when new plugins come out, just mail me at the address above.

Changes for v5.0.0.3304 are:
- Object names w/ tabs are replaced with '_'. This used to crash Producer.
- Locked setting for materials has been removed.
- Non-mesh objects no longer have the default light map assigned to them.
- Added support for Mono Channel Output in Material Editor.
- Light map preview has been added.

HTML code is just about wrapped up, and should be ready to go online tomorrow. I just need to check the links and the CGI-stuff. Once that's sorted, it's all go.

MAXImmerse is an interactive geometry and animation preview plugin for use with NetImmerse. NetImmerse is an object oriented C++ software toolkit for creating real-time games and other interactive 3D content for Windows (95, 98, NT4 and 2000), Xbox, Gamecube and PlayStation 2 platforms.

The plugin has been completely updated to make use of the new functions available in NetImmerse v4.0. There are 2 versions available, one for Max with Character Studio v2.2, and one for Max with Character Studio v3.0.

The database is now up-to-date, and is nearly ready to go online.

Changes for v1.11 are:
- Gizmo objects (helpers) are now exported.
- New checkbox to export skins as standard meshes.
- Sampling rate slider was not working - Fixed.
- Alpha channel is now correctly exported.
- and much much more...

Changes for v0.97 are:
- Dynamically loads the tablet drivers now so you only need one .dlm.
- Removed some of the extraneous hit test modes and fields, I now just use the quad tree.
- Almost everything is macro recorded and scriptable except the parts of the falloff graph.
- Added a Reset Graph button that will allow you to reset the Falloff Graph.
- Added a brush list that allows you to store brushes.

This plugin allows Max to import Metasequoia files (*.mqo).
Metasequoia is a shareware polygon modeler for 3DCG and game development.

This plugin allows Max to import Metasequoia files (*.mqo).
Metasequoia is a shareware polygon modeler for 3DCG and game development.

This is a plugin that export Max files to the Valve Skeletal Model format (*.smd), the format used to get your models and animation into Half-Life.

Thanks to Conny Klasson for recompiling it for Max 4.

Changes for v0.95 are:
- Added support for instances.
- Added Smoothing and Face Select inks.
- Added the option to turn off the line left behind brush strokes.

The BP<->MAX exchange plugin supports conversion of complete Max scenes, including objects, hierarchies, lights, cameras, common material properties and UV tags. The scene is translated from Max to BodyPaint 3D with the click of a button, and the results of painting and UV manipulation are passed to Max with another click. Adding detailed textures to a Max scene has never been easier.

Changes for v5.31.2001 are:
- Fixed a bug where cloning didn't work.
- Fixed some dumb typos.