Archive notice: This article was originally published on September 27, 2012. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Real-time ray tracing in Maya is made possible by the Visualizer plug-in from Caustic Professional. After the plug-in is integrated into Maya, the viewports can be operated in a mode called Caustic Visualizer, which according to the company of the same name offers users real-time ray tracing including realistic reflections, soft shadows, depth of field and Global Illumination. While changes are made in the scene, the viewport is automatically updated. Important parameters of the Mental Ray shaders mia, metallic paint and car paint, and common light types in Maya, are also supported.
The plug-in is currently in a beta phase in which anyone interested can participate. Only registration is required; the download is free of charge. -> Redirect to the download portal
