Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 26, 2018. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Autodesk has released the first smooth 2019 release for 3ds Max. The number of new features is prompting different reactions among users regarding the update policy; more about this in the 3ds Max forum. Here is a summary of the new version.
Overview of New Features
OSL maps, a wood texture generator and Shape Booleans form the biggest innovations in the DCC tool. For compatibility with the current Max version, third-party developers have also worked together in the Autodesk Developer Program to be able to release more than 150 plug-in updates during this release week. You can find a list here.
OSL Map Support
3ds Max now supports OSL maps (Open Shading Language) with more than 100 included shaders. You can edit the OSL shader directly in the Material Editor and receive live updates in the viewport. Support is limited to maps, however; OSL “Closure” or materials are not supported. You can find more information here, and an OSL shader collection for Max is also available here on GitHub.
Wood Maps
With Advanced Wood, a new procedural map is now available in Max that originally came from Fusion 360. It allows you to generate various wood textures – existing presets include oak, pine, maple and cherry, among others. You can find the new generator under Material/Map Browser > Maps > General > Advanced Wood. For an insight into how it works, there is an Advanced Wood tutorial on the Learning Channel.
Shape Booleans
The new Shape Boolean system lets you use Boolean operations to turn splines into new shapes and works for open and closed shapes. The interface is similar to the interface for 3D Booleans. The possible combinations are correspondingly “Union,” “Interesect,” “Subtract,” “Merge,” “Attach” and “Insert.” Example shapes for the individual operations are attached.
3ds Max Interactive
Since sales and development of the Stingray game engine stopped, its realtime features are still included in 3ds Max Interactive. New additions are VR Editing functions for editing the respective scenes in VR as well. A new Smart Placement Tool also permits precise placements in the Level Viewport, with snapping, Alginment and parent options.
Further Innovations
Alongside the features mentioned, models can now be published online quickly via Shared Views, including Feebdack functions in the browser or in 3ds Max. Added to this are the creation of custom project folder structures, Alembic 1.5.5 support, and improvements to extruding and beveling. You can find more about the 2019 release in the documentation.
For further information: To the 3ds Max website
