This plugin allows Valve VTF texture files to be loaded into Max directly as textures. It supports most of the VTF compression formats. The plugin loads the largest image for the first frame of the VTF. If its a cube/environemt map VTF, it will load the first face. Textures are converted to and loaded as 32-bit RGBA into Max.

The WOW MAX plugin exports mobile-ready 3D content designed in Max to the .WOW file format, including model mesh, animation, and texture maps. WOW file format imports your 3D projects into the WOWMachine mobile authoring tool.

The WOW MAX Plugin is available for Max 6 and 7, and costs $1495. A 45 day free license is available if you join the Reallusion Certified Content Developer program.

This isn't really new, but I only just found out about it :o)

Maxporter is an export plugin layer between Max and user plugins. This makes the job of writing export plugins for what you want a lot easier, because Maxporter does all of the actual exporting in Max, and your plugin only has to link up to Maxporter. Comes with source code.

greenworks organic software have started alpha testing version 4 of their XFrog plugin for Max. The new version runs directly in Max, and no longer relies on import plugins.

If you are interested in testing the Alpha version for free, head over to the XFrog for Max forum. You will need to register, and they would prefer testers who have prior experience with XFrog. The plugin is for Max 7.5, it is uncertain whether it will work with Max 7.

Changes for v1.1 are:
- I haven't been able to find out.

This plugin actually works with all versions of Max files, and is extremely useful if you are using Google Desktop.

Changes for v3.2236 are:
- A load of added features and tweaks, plus a few bug-fixes
- You can find the entire list of changes here

RPManager is available for Max 5 to 7, and costs $300. A demo version is available here.

nPower Software have officially released version 1.0 of their Power NURBS plugin. They have also launched their new website, and it would seem that their Power Solids and Power Translators plugins have also been updated to version 3.0

Power NURBS is available for Max 4 to 7, and costs $895. A demo version is available here.

Main changes for v2.0 are:
- Enhanced PolyDraw tools with greatly improved speed and accuracy
- PolyTopo - topology brush
- Connect-SetFlow - paint connections and automatically fit vertices to surface flow
- PolySurf - paint a surface directly on another pbject or on grid
- PolyShapes - draw polygon shapes and automatically generate topology
- PolyStrips - draw strips of polygons
- Border tool - quickly build a surface by dragging from borders
- Move tool - move subobjectelements around on surface
- Optimizer - many tools in one for optimizing models quickly
- Many workflow enhancements like Undo support and quickhelp buttons
- Viewport Canvas - paint textures directly on the model in the viewport
- UVW Tweak - adjust the UVW mapping directly on the model in the viewport
- Edit Poly modifier support for almost all of the selection tools
- SetFlow fits edges/edgeloops to follow the surrounding flow of the mesh
- GeoPoly takes a face and organizes its vertices to form a geometric shape
- And much much more...

PolyBoost is available for Max 5, 6 and 7, and costs $96. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v1.5 are:
- I haven't been able to find any info other than that it has been released

Export 184 Pro is available for Max 6 and 7, and costs $499.

Fangorn Layer Manager is a powerful new layer manager for Max which gives the user superb control over scene layers, offering features never before implemented in scene layer / data management.

Features include:
- A scalable layer manager that works with you
- Hierarchal structure
- Seamless Max layer integration
- Mass layer property editing
- Custom themes
- Customization of layer sets
- Fangorn Material Manager

Fangorn is available for Max 6 and 7, and costs $199.

Alias Systems Corp. have updated their FBX plugins for Max 6 and 7, you can get the new versions here.

This plugin enables X-File import and export in Max. It also exports animated meshes. Up to now it has only been available for Max 6 and 7.

Changes for v1.0.1 are:
- Fixed an incorrect .ini file key name
- The automatically generated openexr_ini_help.txt file now documents the new keys

nPower Software have posted a new beta version of their upcoming PowerNURBS plugin. You can find it here.

Orbaz Technologies are now accepting applications for the beta testing of its upcoming plugin Particle Flow Tools: Box#3.

Box#3 contains unique visual scripting interface to define particle data streams and modification. With Box#3, a special effects artist can design and create a new Particle Flow operator with the user interface similar to a standard Particle Flow operator. The plugin also includes new Particle Flow operators for caching.

Individuals and companies with experience in working with Particle Flow are encouraged to apply. For full details on how to apply look here.

Changes for v3.5 are:
- Motion quality improvements
- Time unit-independence
- Max 7 support has been added
- Unifies the Games, Simulation and Animation versions into one product

AI.implant is available for Max 5 to 7, and costs $4995. A demo version is available here.

Changes for v2.0 are:
- All Bones can now have Custom Geometry
- CATRig bones can now have an unlimited number of Extra Bones added
- Use extra bones to create a facial rig
- You now have the option of creating a FK spine
- New IK system
- Edit the pivot position of any CAT bone
- All CAT Bones can now be moved, rotated and scaled
- Palms and collarbones now optional
- X axis aligned rigs
- Now spine bones can be individually sized
- Limbs can now have one bone
- More flexible rig naming
- Unparalleled rig manipulation - F/IK
- New user interface
- Layer Manipulations now undoable
- You can now copy and paste animation layers
- Multiple CATMotion layers
- Time Warp curves
- Looping animation layers
- Trim animation layers
- Layer Transform Nodes are now animatable
- Animateable scale
- Stretchy bones
- Retargeting
- New foot pivot system
- New world adjustment layers
- Big scenes more responsive
- Limb IK position slider
- New CATBone Hierarchy rollout
- Clip saving now more powerful
- More scripting exposure
- Scripting documentation

CAT 2.0 is available for Max 6 and 7, and costs $995. Upgrades for existing users cost $295. A demo version is available here.