Release 6 was developed in close cooperation with customers including Sega. Major additions include Schematic View, a completely revised interface for displaying and editing complex scenes that also introduces new layout controls, and integration of mental ray 3.2. This gives 3ds max 6 three rendering solutions, including physically accurate photometric radiosity. A Particle Flow system has also been implemented for creating realistic particle effects. It had already been used on VFX films including “The Core” and “X-Men 2.” Other additions include Vertex Colour Painting and the ability to distribute the calculation of individual frames across multiple computers on a network. Data exchange with AutoCAD and other CAD applications supporting the DWG format has been improved. ADT VIZ Render files can now be opened and processed directly in 3ds max 6. The English version of 3ds max 6 is scheduled to become available in mid-October 2003 for approximately €4,250 excluding VAT, with the German version expected by the end of 2003. Discreet prices the upgrade from 3ds max 5 at around €900 excluding VAT, while moving from version 4 to version 6 costs approximately €1,500 excluding VAT.
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