Chaos has released a free Community Edition of V-Ray for Blender
, giving solo users access to the renderer for learning, portfolio work, teaching and smaller freelance tasks. The catch is not especially well hidden: the free tier comes with clear limits on output, support and production features, while the paid version keeps the heavier pipeline machinery.
Chaos launches Corona 14 with Gaussian Splats for scene context, new AI-tools for materials and upscaling, Night Sky for night builds and a procedural Fabric Material.
425 shots, one terrifying doll, and a CG mill town: Digital Domain’s Alex Millet explains how his team built the horror of The Conjuring: Last Rites and kept it real.
ArchvizTools releases Spotlight Generator, a free script for 3ds Max that automates IES spotlight placement for Corona and V-Ray. Version 1.0 targets faster lighting workflows in arch-viz and VFX production by generating renderer-ready IES lights directly on selected geometry.
Architecture Illustrators and Visualizers test Chaos Vantage for a narrative short and accidentally build a moving house. Unbox proves real-time previz can tell stories, not just sell floor plans.
Chaos’ Chris Nichols explains how Chaos Arena and Chaos Vantage cut out the engine middleman with full ray tracing, open formats, and one asset for all.
Chaos Vantage 3 expands its real-time rendering engine with USD and MaterialX support, AI-driven material generation, volumetric rendering, and Gaussian splats. The update brings Vantage closer to open-pipeline workflows for VFX and visualization and adds plenty of new toys for artists who prefer to stay in real time.
DomeMaker 1.0 converts Jonas Noell’s custom HDRI dome workflow into a one-click tool for 3ds Max (V-Ray). Expect instant viewport feedback, automated floor matching, water/wetness effects, and matched CPU/GPU rendering—priced at a studio-friendly $30.
Chaos introduces Project Arena, enabling direct V-Ray rendering on LED walls—no rasterization, no baking. Full ray tracing in real-time, straight from DCC apps.
Game trailers should make you interested in the game, obviously, and since we can't wait for Trialmakers 2, the trailer did its job - so, we are talking to the creatives behind the trailer!
V-Ray 7 for 3ds Max is here with expanded toolsets, boosting rendering flexibility, materials management, and GPU acceleration for high-end VFX and design work.
Chaos launches the V-Ray 7 beta for 3ds Max, offering new material creation tools, enhanced lighting, faster rendering, and new procedural clouds for skies.
The short film "We Hunt Giants" takes the viewer into a world in which humans and dinosaurs fight for survival. Action, drama and CGI - without a Hollywood budget in the millions. Here is a brief insight into the making of the film and its visual effects.
Software developer Chaos releases version 5 - and introduces support for V-Ray's CPU Interactive Production Rendering. A report on the software release.
The Lighting & Shading Artist from Pixomondo shows how beautiful visual effects can be created from terrain and rock surfaces. A video tutorial with 3ds Max and V-Ray 6.
Chaos Group is back with the latest version of the renderer - and with new functions such as geometric tiling, procedurally generated clouds and new shader profiles. Available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Better than the replicator from Star Trek? The latest version of the liquid simulation software for 3ds Max and Maya will get you wet. But: frustrated by unfinished features?
In future, you can also render such cosy beds with Blender 3.0, 3.1 and 3.2. Artist Adilkhan Yakubov will take care of the porting (and make the bed for you).
The realtime project for V-Ray is now ready to test as a beta for users with a V-Ray Next Render licence: Project Lavina is available as standalone version 0.10.
It is time to really step on the gas once again! Push down the pedals and get going! The deadline for this year’s submissions to the animago AWARD & CONFERENCE 2018 is July 20!
The big creative all-round update: Creative Cloud now with VR tools, a new cloud Ligthroom, the new 3D application “Dimension” and many software innovations.