For those who don’t know the tool: Chaos builds V-Ray, a production renderer used across architecture, VFX, and animation. It plugs into DCCs such as Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, and Houdini, offering physically-based rendering and global illumination with CPU and GPU engines. Chaos also runs the Chaos Cosmos asset library and Chaos Cloud, tying rendering and collaboration together inside a single ecosystem.

macOS joins the party

After years of waiting, V-Ray for Blender now runs natively on macOS 11.0 and newer with full speed and feature parity. The renderer matches its Windows 10/11 counterpart, finally letting Mac-based studios use the same shading, lighting, and AI toolchain without workarounds. Update 2 also supports Blender 5.0, maintaining full compatibility with current scene formats and node systems. Official release notes confirm the update as part of V-Ray 7, Update 2, dated 10 December 2025. (Chaos Docs)

AI tools: less grind, more render

Three new AI-assisted tools headline the release. The AI Enhancer adds small-scale realism to background elements, without re-rendering. It can target specific objects, such as fabric or foliage, and integrates directly into the V-Ray Frame Buffer with Chaos Cloud Collaboration support.

The AI Material Generator, linked with Chaos Cosmos, turns a single surface photo into a fully mapped PBR (physically-based rendering) material, complete with diffuse, normal, and roughness maps. Ideal for populating environments with believable secondary materials when deadlines bite.

The AI Upscaler handles resolution boosts from HD to 4K (or even 16K) without full re-rendering. Integrated through Chaos Cloud, it enhances textures and micro-details while preserving lighting accuracy. All three AI tools are confirmed by Chaos as part of the official release, but remain beta features; large sequence processing may require manual setup.

Distributed Rendering v2: the network works harder

Update 2 introduces Distributed Rendering v2 (DR2), replacing the previous network system with a new Dispatcher component. It coordinates tasks more efficiently across multiple nodes and can be configured directly inside Blender’s V-Ray render settings. Performance tests from Chaos show improved load distribution and better handling of dynamic geometry, particularly when mixing CPU and GPU render devices.

Returning heroes: V-Ray Fur, Cosmos, and UI clean-ups

Procedural hair, grass, and carpets return through V-Ray Fur, with improved instancing performance and cleaner parameter layouts. Combined with AI Enhancer and Upscaler, it can produce complex natural scenes faster than previous builds. The V-Ray Frame Buffer gains new Filter Presets, better Caustics control, and links from every property panel to online documentation. Chaos also refined the GPU Device Selection list and improved the layout of several texture nodes, fixing cluttered parameter groups that previously slowed down look-dev work. Interactive rendering performance has been significantly improved, and dynamic geometry, such as proxies or scattered meshes, now updates more reliably.

Modified and extended features

According to the official changelog, several internal systems were reworked. The User Color node now supports colour attributes; the Normal Map node introduces resolution-independent bump mapping; and a new Include/Exclude list allows finer control when the Render Mask Type is set to Objects. The renderer also supports USD scene loading and renders Cycles’ Translucent BSDF correctly after conversion. Users can drag-and-drop bitmaps directly into the node editor and parent the V-Ray Frame Buffer window to Blender’s main interface—small but welcome quality-of-life changes.

Quality-of-life fixes galore

The official documentation lists over forty bug fixes. Highlights include:

Viewport freezes when starting interactive rendering without a valid license are resolved.
Depth-of-field now updates correctly in both viewport and production renders.
Chaos Cloud exports .EXR sequences properly even when output paths are missing.
Cosmos asset import errors in non-English file paths are fixed.
Motion blur again works with multiple cameras and V-Ray Proxy objects.
Proxy scaling, negative transforms, and instancing via Collection Info nodes now behave as expected.
The Viewport Denoiser correctly applies to worlds with node trees.

In addition, interactive rendering no longer stops responding when node connections change mid-render—a long-standing production annoyance.

Update 1 recap

For those catching up, Update 1 (mid-2025) added V-Ray Scanned Materials for physically measured shaders, Cycles-to-V-Ray material conversion, and a redesigned Material UI. Those features remain available in Update 2, with improved node naming after Cosmos imports and smoother drag-and-drop creation of bitmaps.

Mac performance and GPU tweaks

The update includes GPU engine changes: removal of Subdivs parameters for certain settings, adjusted light-intensity limits based on units, and performance improvements for interactive GPU sessions. Dynamic geometry loading has been optimised, reducing stutter during viewport updates.

Ecosystem position

Inside Chaos’s wider portfolio, this release tightens integration between Blender and Chaos Cloud, bringing Blender artists closer to the workflows long available in V-Ray for Maya or 3ds Max. Combined with the Dispatcher system and AI tools, Chaos is clearly aligning all DCC integrations under a shared cloud and material ecosystem.

Pricing and availability

V-Ray for Blender Update 2 is available now for Windows 10/11 and macOS 11.0 or newer. Licences can be purchased as a Blender-only subscription or included in any V-Ray Collection. Educational licences remain discounted. Pricing details are listed on the Chaos V-Ray for Blender page.

Reality check

As always, test new builds before production deployment. AI features and distributed rendering changes should be validated in-house for consistency across render nodes, especially in animation pipelines or asset-heavy scenes.

The post Chaos Adds macOS & AI to V-Ray for Blender first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

For 3ds Max users who’ve spent years assigning “Material_01_final_FINAL_NOREALLYFINAL_v2” to everything, Chaos delivers two new AI features in V‑Ray 7 Update 2. The AI Material Generator (beta) builds PBR materials straight from your photos, producing the maps you need and putting them right into the Cosmos asset library.

Because nothing says “workflow optimization” like skipping the endless tweaking of reflection values. The AI Enhancer (beta) spots people, trees, and “important stuff” in your renders, then cranks up realism without touching the rest, so you can keep your archviz hero trees and entourage in Instagram shape, no matter how late you imported them.

Both features are still in beta—test on throwaway scenes before dropping them into a client delivery, unless your client’s review system also supports beta feedback.

Night Sky for Max: Astronomically Accurate, Artistically Flexible

Staring at 3ds Max’s viewport at 2 AM and wondering what the sky looks like? Now you don’t have to guess. The new Night Sky system lets you control stars, constellations, moon phases, and the Milky Way—down to the correct date and geographic location. If your creative director asks, yes, you can override for “more magic.” If your client’s house faces south, so will the moon. Sun Node updates also mean more options for daylight mood tweaks, even for those who think “astronomically accurate” is a buzzword.

3D Streaming: Present Scenes to Clients (Who Think Max Is a Video Editor)

The new Chaos Cloud 3D Streaming lets you toss your scene up to the cloud, send a URL, and watch your clients spin the camera, sometimes even in the right direction. No extra hardware, software, or long support emails required. Anyone can add comments or draw on the scene, and no one has to actually open 3ds Max, which should reduce the average blood pressure in your feedback cycles. Like all things online, this feature is in beta, so enjoy it while it’s still fun.

Triple-Speed GPU Rendering: Because Deadlines Aren’t Flexible

Thanks to Chaos’s backend overhaul, Chaos Cloud GPU rendering is now up to three times faster and “cost-efficient.” If you’re rendering Gaussian Splats (newly supported locally and in cloud), or playing with V‑Ray Luminaires or GPU caustics, you get more results for less time and memory. Yes, that means your boss can ask for more changes at 4:30 PM and you might still get home before midnight.

Features for the Few Who Read Changelogs

Update 2 is packed with smaller features to improve the life of anyone who still launches 3ds Max willingly. You get 256 LightMix lights (one for each of your sanity levels), RAW denoising workflow optimizations, improved DR with better progressive load-balancing, and true multithreaded rendering in complex scenes. The viewport proxy system is also faster, letting you see assets while the rest load in the background. Multi-import from Chaos Cosmos now works for entire furniture catalogs (for those archviz deadlines), while OpenPBR brings shader consistency if you dare export to other apps.

You also get proper front-and-backside texture mapping for the next time your client wants two logos on the same napkin. The new mapping-source and probability columns in MultiSubTex let you fine-tune randomization without writing scripts. Scatter clustering is now available via noise, colour, or (brace yourself) a paintbrush.

Pricing and Availability

V‑Ray 7 Update 2 for 3ds Max is available now for versions 2020 through 2026 on the Chaos website. Remember: All new tools, especially beta features, should be tested before using in production. Your client’s “quick feedback” will be far less entertaining if the scene crashes on delivery.

The post Chaos V‑Ray 7 Update 2 for 3ds Max: Now With 300% More Night Sky (And AI for Those Who Miss Deadlines) first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Corona 13 integrates the Chaos AI Enhancer, enabling quick, quality enhancements of complex vegetation and 3D humans—traditionally resource-heavy render elements. These can now be optimized with minimal effort and no interference with other scene elements. Especially useful in photorealistic archviz workflows where speed matters.

GPU-Driven Animation via Vantage

Users of 3ds Max and Cinema 4D can render animations using Chaos Vantage Live Link for full real-time GPU rendering with ray tracing, offering a fast alternative to CPU rendering. The real-time view in Vantage supports live scene updates regardless of complexity. A Vantage license or the new Archviz Collection is required.

Cel & Outline Shaders for Stylized Looks

With Cel and Contour shaders, artists can render scenes as stylized cartoons or simple outlined compositions. These effects can be used individually or combined—ideal for early-stage design visualization or stylized client presentations.

Scatter Clusters for Dense Detail

New Scatter Clusters allow controlled generation of object groupings (e.g., plants, rocks, debris) using noise or color maps. 3ds Max users also benefit from Painted Layers—support for Cinema 4D will follow soon.

More Asset Variations in Cosmos

The Chaos Cosmos asset library now includes seasonal plant variants and more clothing options for 3D figures, giving users greater flexibility in storytelling and visual detailing.

Firefly Removal at a Click

Unwanted bright pixel artifacts (aka “fireflies”) in stills and animations can now be removed with a single click—no more tedious post-processing needed.

VRScene Import from Enscape

Corona 13 supports direct import of .vrscene files from Enscape, allowing photorealistic rendering of Enscape projects in Corona. Note: Requires V-Ray to be installed.

Thin‑Film Shader for Iridescence

A new Thin‑Film shader simulates iridescent effects like oil slicks, anodized metals, dichroic glass, and soap bubbles. Useful for both realism and surrealism in materials.

Availability & Licensing

Corona 13 is available now for:

• 3ds Max (2016–2025, Windows 64-bit)
• Cinema 4D (R17–2025, Windows & macOS 64-bit)

Licensing options include monthly or yearly subscriptions. Corona 13 is also bundled in the Archviz Collection, which includes Corona, Chaos Cosmos, Phoenix, Player, Scans, Vantage, and Anima. A 30-day trial version is available.

Corona vs V-Ray

Corona 13 emphasizes streamlined, artist-friendly workflows with integrated creative tools—ideal for fast-paced archviz. While V-Ray offers deeper customization via node-based shading and hybrid CPU/GPU pipelines, Corona 13 focuses on usability and visual fidelity with minimal setup. Ideal for teams prioritizing speed, stylization, and clean results.

Note: Despite significant upgrades, test Corona 13 thoroughly in your production environment before rolling it out in mission-critical pipelines.

The post Chaos Corona 13: AI, GPU & Cartoon Vibes first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.