A Smart Start

In the same way that machine learning makes choices based on what is learned about a specific problem, V-Ray has been adopting learning techniques for analyzing a scene as it is rendering. V-Ray Next builds on previous smart features with two new breakthroughs.

The new Adaptive Dome Light (ADL) automatically produces cleaner, more accurate image-based environment lighting that’s up to 7x faster. The ADL also removes the need to set up skylight portals at windows and openings, making it especially helpful for architectural interiors.

Scene intelligence also comes to the V-Ray Physical Camera, via point-and-shoot-style timesavers like Automatic Exposuzre, Automatic White Balance and a simplified UI. Now, a perfect render will be as easy as taking a snapshot.

“With 22 years in the business, V-Ray is still DBOX’s core renderer,” said Neil Griffiths, partner at DBOX. “With so many smart features coming to V-Ray Next, it’s safe to say that won’t be changing.”

Faster GPU Rendering

V-Ray Next marks the debut of Chaos Group’s fast new V-Ray GPU rendering architecture, which effectively doubles the speed of production rendering. Through a redesign of its kernel structure, V-Ray GPU offers a dual blend of high-performance speed and accuracy across interactive and production renders. The redesign has also prepared V-Ray for new improvements in GPU hardware, which will allow developers to incorporate new features without impacting performance. For instance, V-Ray GPU already tops previous generations of NVIDIA’s Quadro cards, running 47 percent faster on the new Quadro GV100.

Production artists will also enjoy GPU-accelerated support for:

• Environment fog
• Volumetric effects
• VRscans materials

A Stylist’s Dream

The new Physical Hair Material produces more realistic-looking hair with accurate highlights. Building off a paper produced by Disney Research, Chaos Group has reduced look development down to a few sliders, giving artists full control over glossiness, softness, randomness and more. Easy-to-use melanin controls can quickly dial in any color from blonde to redhead. Hair dye sliders have also been added, so characters can rock a green mohawk, when the brief allows.

Other New Features in V-Ray Next Include:

• NVIDIA AI Denoiser – Fast, real-time denoising based on NVIDIA OptiX AI-accelerated technology.
• Denoise Render Elements – Artists can now denoise any render element used on a still or animation project, ensuring more control for compositors.
• Lighting Analysis – Accurately analyze and measure the light levels in a scene with the help of heat maps and data overlays.
• Layered Alembic Workflows – Supports Alembic 1.7 with layering, for faster, more efficient handling and updating of Alembic data.
• V-Ray Switch Material – Easily switch between the multiple materials applied to an object for faster look dev and variation decisions.
• V-Ray Plugin and Texture – Load any texture or material from any version of V-Ray into 3ds Max, including procedural textures and PBR materials for Unity and Unreal.

For a full feature tour, please visit the V-Ray Next for 3ds Max product page.

Pricing and Availability

V-Ray Next will be available very soon for Windows. Every purchase of V-Ray 3.x made from today until launch will result in an automatic upgrade. A full Workstation license is priced at $1,180, with upgrades priced at $580. Annual rentals can be purchased for $470; monthly options are available as well. For full pricing information, including additional render nodes, please visit the product page.