Archive notice: This article was originally published on 25 March 2020. Product, pricing and availability details are historical.
Autodesk today introduced the new version of its DCC: 3ds Max 2021 offers new tools and improvements to existing features.
3ds Max 2021 highlights
The new features include a new scriptable texture-baking tool, expanded PBR support, viewport performance, rendering updates and support for Python 3.
Texture baking
The new “Bake to Texture” tool enables faster and better texture-baking processes in 3ds Max. Compared with the old functions, OSL texture maps and Blended Box Mapping are now also integrated. Material overrides and MikkT normal mapping can also be used. Further information is available here.
PBR material support
Another change is expanded support for PBR materials and workflows. The two approaches Metal/Rough and Spec/Gloss are now available as new materials. 3ds Max users can drag and drop texture maps from Explorer into the relevant material map slot. The tool automatically handles steps such as setting linear gamma (1.0) for roughness, glossiness, metalness and normal maps. More about the new PBR features is available here.
Weighted Normals modifier
The “Weighted Normals” modifier improves the shading of models to retain sharper edges. Various settings such as smoothing, weighting and hard-edge detection can be adjusted. A before-and-after comparison can be found here.
New OSL shaders
In addition to the PBR and texture-baking changes, 3ds Max now also has new OSL shaders. These include:
- HDRI environments and lights
- Environment switcher
- Projection for camera, object and spherical
- Uber Noise shader
- Colour Correction shader
- Curves (colour and float)
Further new features
- Viewport: more interactivity, roughness support, saving settings and more
- Arnold Renderer 6 is now the native default renderer for 3ds Max.
- Python 3 with Python 3.7.6 is now supported as the default setting.
- I/O performance for faster saving of scenes with many assets.
- Scene Converter updates and new support for V-Ray and Corona materials.
- Installation improvements for faster and easier 3ds Max installation.
- Toolset updates for Substance, ProSound, SketchUp import and FBX.
Availability
Autodesk 3ds Max is available here under the subscription model. An annual licence currently costs €2,101. The new version is not yet available on the website, but should appear there shortly. And remember: Autodesk has currently postponed payment deadlines by 60 days and announced free access including Shotgun.
Further information: Autodesk 3ds Max website and release notes
