3ds Max Blog

In this little review, I want to talk to you about the all new 3ds max 2008, and some of it’s most cool features. This is a big update compared to the 3ds max 8 to 3ds max 9 update, there are some very cool features. Speed improvements, some useful tools, and Windows Vista / DirectX10 support.
Speed improvements;

n the new version of Max, Autodesk planted a cool very efficient tool; The Adaptive Degradation System. This system allows users to fully adjust how the scene is displayed. If you, for instance, would allways like to work on a keyframe rate of 15 fps or higher, the Adaptive Degradation System changes which set the viewport to wireframe, to bounding box, or even hide small and distant objects. This comes in handy when handling those multi-million polyon scenes.
If you want a small preview of what this system is capable of, check this video.

Viewport Improvements;

With 3ds Max 2008 you pretty much can forget all of the test rendering for your lightning. With Review Rendering, shadows and lights can be viewed realtime. With this, you no longer have to worry that you waited for hours on a render and have shadows in spots were you don’t want them.
This new feature also allows to view realtime reflections of the light inside of Arch and Design shaders. This feature is my personal favourite. Check here to see the video

Conclusion;

Off course, there are some more features, but those are (in my opinion) not worth spending time on, since they aren’t that special (the physical exposure control inside of mental ray for instance). For a more detailed product sheet, look here. Well the 3ds max 2008 is a very nice update, with some very cool features. I defenitely recommend updating to Max 2008, since these features can be very time saving.

Interesting:
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A new, user made plugin is available for Vray! Dieter Morgenroth has been/is working on a plugin that will make the use of highly detailed meshes a really easy job. The plugin allows users to create a fully customizable high poly surface from a simple object such as a sphere. If you use this in combination with some lava or coral shaders then the results could get quit amazing. Just look at the techdemo. If you want some more info on this subject, check the Wikipedia page. If you want to get a hang of this plugin, check this tutorial.

The update’s are very neat, there just heading on into the details with these new features. The “accelerated performance” option is looking real good. This feature allows you to; “control how 3ds Max adjusts scene display, whether the smallest objects are hidden, or distant objects have less detail, etc., and 3ds Max calculates how best to achieve it. ” For a full list of the features, go ahead and look on the official site.
Autodesk has also put up a price reduction for those who subscribe now. So when you buy 3ds Max now, and also take a subscription, you’ll get a 450€ price reduction. And if this doesn’t sound tempting enough, since you’ve bought a subscribtion you will get 3ds Max 2008 for free. This price action is ending in October (for 3ds max).