Chaos Unifies AEC Visualization Workflow with V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 2

Architects and Visualization Specialists Can Now Unify Their Workflow and Easily Share 3D Visuals; New MaterialX Support to Complete USD Pipelines
KARLSRUHE, Germany
November 29, 2023

Today, Chaos launches V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 2, connecting two of architectural visualization’s most trusted products, V-Ray and Enscape, into a single pipeline. With the Chaos Bridge, design teams are now one step closer to fluidly turning Revit designs into high-end visualizations, preserving key decisions from concept to final render.

 

“This update provides the big missing piece to the AEC puzzle by bridging the divide between the continual visualization being done in CAD with the advanced visualization produced in DCC tools,” said Phillip Miller, VP of Product Management at Chaos. “Now, architects have a simple way to send their work directly to their viz teams using 3ds Max (and soon Cinema 4D) that preserves their design intent, removes confusion and provides the rapid start every project needs.”

 

Real-Time to Photoreal

Today, what begins in a CAD program can now be fine-tuned and rendered in V-Ray 6, creating a continual path from CAD to DCC. With complete support for Enscape environments, materials and nearly all Enscape assets, architects can now deliver visualization teams a version of their design that makes further visualization much easier. This initial Enscape compatibility will continue to be refined, promoting easier data exchanges between applications, so consistency issues quickly become a thing of the past.

 

New MaterialX and latest USD support for 3ds Max

Enabling workflows between creation tools continues in update 2, with support for some of VFX’s most popular file standards.

 

With new support for MaterialX, artists can now complete their USD pipeline, enabling smooth rendering and shader exchanges across teams and tools. Support for the latest USD for 3ds Max version has also been added, bringing users up-to-date with the tool’s full capabilities.

Additional Features and Improvements Include:

 

Faster Workflows

  • Chaos Cloud One-Click Submit — Users can now access Chaos Cloud rendering in a click, all without leaving 3ds Max or waiting for a scene to export.
  • Faster .vrscene Exports — Get up to 20x faster exports and far smaller file sizes on scenes with immense scattering data. This improvement also accelerates V-Ray GPU’s time to the first pixel.
  • Unified V-Ray Lister for 3ds Max — All lights and cameras can now be managed from a single location with this new Lister update. An enhanced user interface will also help users explore new features for bulk adjustments, filtering, searching and more.

 

V-Ray GPU Updates

  • V-Ray Enmesh — Complex geometric patterns can be quickly created over object surfaces to make detailed panels, fences, fabrics and more in an automated and memory-efficient way.
  • Faster Animation Rendering — Image sequences can now be rendered up to 4x faster, accelerating everything from AEC marketing to high-end visual effects, as V-Ray GPU now caches bitmaps between frames.

More Realistic Scattering

  • Groups Hierarchy — In Chaos Scatter, you can now distribute multiple objects in a group or hierarchy with just a couple of clicks.
  • Altitude Variance — Users can now control object distribution based on surface height, helping them achieve natural altitude variances for their vegetation.
  • Scatter Orientation — The orientation of scattered items can be adjusted by rotating away or toward a selected object for added realism and control.

 

V-Ray Frame Buffer (VFB) Improvements

  • Chromatic Aberration — This new post-effect helps artists explore distinctive looks and color fringing directly within the VFB, without a third-party application.
  • Custom Background Color — Color corrections now include a solid background option, removing the need to load an image.

 

Lighting

  • IES Light Models in Chaos Cosmos — Chaos’ ever-expanding library of ready-to-render assets now helps artists import 3D light models, including IES profiles, in a few clicks. Interiors can now be illuminated faster than ever before.

To see all the new features, explore V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max’s “What’s New” page.

Pricing and Availability

V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 2 is available for 3ds Max versions 2019 – 2024. All V-Ray subscription plans work for all supported host applications, including 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Maya, Nuke, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp and Unreal. Pricing can be found on the Chaos website.

 

To experience the new benefits of the unified workflow, Enscape 3.5.6 or above and V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 2 or above required.

About Chaos

Chaos is one of the world’s largest 3D visualization companies, and for over 20 years has empowered architects, artists and designers to visualize anything they can imagine. Chaos offers intuitive and powerful workflows for creatives across the entire design spectrum, including architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, and media and entertainment.

 

In 2022 Chaos merged with Enscape and acquired Cylindo. In 2023, Chaos acquired AXYZ design. The company’s product portfolio includes V-Ray, a physically based renderer honored with an Academy Award and an Engineering Emmy; Enscape, a high-quality real-time rendering and virtual reality plugin; Corona, a high-performance photorealistic rendering engine; Cylindo, a 3D furniture product visualization platform for commerce; and anima, a 3D/4D animation software to add realistic people and crowds to visualizations.

 

Chaos has more than 700 employees and offices in 11 cities around the world. For more information, visit chaos.com, chaos-enscape.com, chaos-cylindo.com and axyz-design.com.