Chaos Group

Chaos Group and Asynthetic announced the release of a new version of Pdplayer 1.0.4 that improves on an already amazing sequence player. New features include improved Audio Support, Text Fields, RED SDK 3.0 and improved 3D LUT Precision.

Audio is now being read from AVI and Quicktime movies (subject to the limitation that the movie must be no longer than 30 minutes, or the audio will not be loaded). Exporting an AVI or a Quicktime movie will now save an audio track, if an audible one is present.

The text in text layers may now contain embedded fields of the form {object:property}. Such fields are replaced with their values before the text is displayed. This is useful for burn-ins when creating previews and dailies.

The interpolation of 3D look-up tables has been improved, providing more accurate colour reproduction. This allows Pdplayer 1.0.4 to convert between radically different colour spaces by using an appropriate 3D LUT. For example, it can now show Digital Cinema Initiative X'Y'Z' gamma 2.6 images with the help of the supplied DCI_XYZ.cms lookup table.

The RED SDK has been upgraded to version 3.0, with support for the new FLUT color science, including the new REDcolor and REDgamma color spaces.

You can download a sample composition from our site.

More detailed information can be found here.

Pdplayer 1.0.4 is available for immediate download.

Access the download section by

clicking here

For a detailed feature list, please visit:

http://pdplayer.chaosgroup.com

For any inquiries regarding Pdplayer please contact:

pdplayer@chaosgroup.com

Massive 4.0 was released at the end of February with the support for V-Ray Standalone. Massive 4.0 allows you to create .vrscene files and render them with the standalone version of V-Ray, where the Massive geometry is loaded on demand as needed during the rendering (similar to how V-Ray proxy objects work). Currently only rendering on 64-bit Linux is available, but a Windows version is coming soon.

For more information please visit the following link.

More information on Massive is also available at http://www.massivesoftware.com

Note: you will need an updated version of V-Ray Standalone (V-Ray core version 1.90.02), available now upon request and which will be a part of the upcoming service pack of V-Ray for Maya.

Chaos Group Team

Numerous different approaches to lighting and rendering, as well as different ways to approach your specific scenes, based on the desired final result and time frame. The tutorials provide tips and directions how to achieve exceptional rendering quality and at the same time shorten your rendering times. You can see these videos at 3DATS .

Enjoy your V-Ray time!

Chaos Group Team

As of December 16th 2009, the newest build, V-Ray® 1.50 Service Pack 4a for 3ds Max®, is available from the download section of the Chaos Group site.

The upgrade is free of charge for all current V-Ray for 3ds Max customers of Chaos Group.

The V-Ray® 1.50 Service Pack 4a is compatible with Autodesk® 3ds Max® 8, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 9, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2008, 3ds Max® 2009, Autodesk® 3ds Max Design 2009, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2010, Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2010.

The new V-Ray build supports both 32-bit and 64-bit OS.

 It includes the following modified features:

•    Added support for projection mapping when doing texture baking;
•    Added new option to link the V-Ray VFB to PDPlayer;

And several bug fixes:

•    Turning off "Affect specular" for a dome light made it invisible to reflections as well;
•    Fixed a crash when importing a particular .vrmesh file;
•    Fixed crash with VRayFastSSS2 material with VRayDirt map and a standard light with VRayShadowMap;
•    The "prepass samples" option in the motion blur rollout did not work;
•    Fixed stuck buckets with VRayEnvironmentFog and mesh gizmos;
•    Fixed issues with VRayEnvironmentFog and mesh gizmos with modifiers;
•    User could not remove gizmos/lights from VRayEnvironmentFog;
•    ParticleFlow instancing did not render all mapping channels of original mesh;
•    Fixed crash with VFB region render when region is outside of image;
•    Turned off by default the option to save the DR servers to the scene (caused slowdown on scene save if servers are offline);
•    Fixed some licensing issues.

Note, if you have downloaded V-Ray SP4 for 3ds Max we strongly recommend to upgrade it with V-Ray SP4a for 3ds Max because of the licensing issues.
You can receive additional information about this from our Support Team at: vray@chaosgroup.com

The traditional V-Ray Public Event and Demo Presentations will take place December 17-19, Pacifico Convention Center, Yokohama, Japan

For a second year Chaos Group is excited to take part in the most significant event in the computer graphics and interactive techniques industry in Asia. At the end of the year Chaos Group will present the latest on V-Ray for Maya, V-Ray RT and Pdplayer and set the pace to surpass even the most daring expecations in the raytracing technology in 2010.

Partners and resellers will contribute to this year’s booth demo presentations, promotion of new products and bundle surprises for all visitors at SIGGRAPH Asia. Chaos Group team, together with MAXON Computer Japan, and Indyzone Co. will be happy to meet you in person at booth A06.

At Chaos Group booth all visitors will have the chance to enjoy in depth presentations on V-Ray for Maya, and whiteness projects completed with this so expected on the 3D market product. Chaos Group and one of its partners in Japan, Indyzone Co. will cooperate to bring valuable V-Ray experience to the SIGGRAPH Asia public. Special bundle promotion by Chaos Group will be available during this year’s exhibition. The irresistible combination of V-Ray and Pdplayer will be on the market on a special bundle price, starting December 1st, till January 15th 2010.

During the three days of SIGGRAPH, for all C4D users, MAXON Computer Japan will step at the main pod of the booth to present the latest addition of the CINEMA 4D family. The BROADCAST Edition, as well as BODYPAINT R4.5 will be among the demonstrations. To read more on the MAXON Computer Japan participation and bundle promotion, please visit: www.maxon.net/ja/home.html.

V-Ray Public Event at SIGGRAPH ASIA 2009

Faithful to its tradition to host a great open event for all V-Ray fans and user, Chaos Group would like to invite all 3D professionals visiting SIGGRAPH to join for a special V-Ray presentation.
The event will take place in the Brillia Short Shorts Theatre, 19 December, 17.00-20.00, Yokohama, Japan. Do not miss out the end of the year presentation by the creators of V-Ray. Registration is open, please follow the link, and reserve your seat.


To all of you visiting SIGGRAPH ASIA, have a productive and exciting time!
See you at the Chaos Group Booth A06!

Greetings,
Chaos Group Team

Chaos Group is celebrating the 3D Day in Valencia . The event is aimed at all 3D artists and professionals and is organized by our valued V-Ray representative from the region: 3DValue. 3DValue offers consultancy services to companies, studios and professionals involved in 3D modeling, animation and rendering.

During the event, few projects completed with V-Ray will be presented by Concepto Nau, a company which has chosen V-Ray as a primary renderer to bring to its clients outstanding 3D professional services. Also, a presentation by Azken Muga S.L. will demonstrate a new line of 3D professional Workstations, W Series.

The event will take place at Cervecería Cruz Blanca, Avd., Giorgeta 35, Valencia on the 3rd of December 2009 with the following program:

•    19:00 - 19.30 - Registration and welcoming
•    19.30 - 20.00 - Presentations by 3DValue and Concepto NAU.
•    20.00 - 20.45 - Technological Innovations
          o    New line of 3D professional Workstations, W Series, presented by Rafael Lainez, Azken Muga S.L.

          o    New releases:

V-Ray 1.5 SP4 for 3ds Max, presented by Rafa Costa, 3DValue

V-Ray RT for 3ds Max, presented by Victor Perez, Concepto Nau

•    20.45 a 21.30 - Networking

To come and celebrate with us the 3D Day 2009 in Valencia, Spain, please register at:

http://www.3dday.es

All attendees will receive a special discount of 10% off the V-Ray products!

Hope to share with you a great 3D Day!

Chaos Group Team

The latest products for 2009: V-Ray for Maya and V-Ray RT and new versions to be presented to the Korean 3D professionals.

Chaos Group is excited to announce the company’s annual Road Show in Korea. As SIGGRAPH Asia 2009 is approaching Chaos Group team starts its Asia tour, visiting customers, resellers and partners.

Chaos Group will showcase one of the most expected products on 3D market: V-Ray for Autodesk® Maya®, and present to Korean studios, production houses and CG departments how can increase the efficiency of the production pipeline and achieve uncompromised quality in shorter times. Other solutions expected to be presented are V-Ray RT for Autodesk® 3ds Max® and V-Ray RT running on GPU, as well as the sequence player Pdplayer and the latest builds and improvements. Chaos Group team is excited to present personally first to the Korean public the first free upgrade of V-Ray RT 1.50 Service Pack 1 and the new V-Ray® 1.50 Service Pack 4.

During the Road Show Chaos Group, together with the exclusive representative of V-Ray in Korea, SHINSEGAE  I&C will host events in Seoul and Daejeon. The 2010 V-Ray Conference is a public event, open to everyone interested in rendering with competitive speed and quality will take place on the 25th of November at the Coex Center, Seoul.

For more information on events, schedule and registration, please contact our exclusive distributor for Korea, SHINSEGAE I&C.

SHINSEGAE I & C Co., Ltd.

Brian Lee

phone: + 82 2 3397 1633

e-mail: jetta73@shinsegae.com

address: 197-12, Guro-Dong, Guro-Gu, Seoul 152-050

On October 26th, Monday, the newest build, V-Ray® 1.50 Service Pack 4, is available from the download section of the Chaos Group site.

The upgrade is free of charge for all current V-Ray customers of Chaos Group.

The V-Ray® 1.50 Service Pack 4 is compatible with Autodesk® 3ds Max® 8, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 9, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2008, 3ds Max® 2009, Autodesk® 3ds Max Design 2009, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2010, Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2010.

The new V-Ray build supports both 32-bit and 64-bit OS.
.
Added New Feature in V-Ray 1.50 SP4 is V-Ray Ambient Light.

 It includes several modified features:

-  Improved multithreading on multi-core machines;
-  Ability to specify gizmo falloff for VRayEnvironmentFog;
-  Ability to use arbitrary meshes as gizmos for VRayEnvironmentFog;
-  Option to exclude the background from VRayEnvironmentFog;
-  Added CIE sky models to the VRaySun and VRaySky;
-  It is now possible to submit DR servers list for DR through backburner;
-  Added option to not use area speculars in the VRayIES light;
-  Added Kelvin temperature settings for the color of VRayLights;
-  VFB history is now turned off when 3ds Max is in slave mode;
-  Output .vrimg and split channel paths are listed in the Asset Tracker;
-  GI cache files (irradiance maps, light cache etc) are listed in the Asset Tracker.


The complete list with the improvements of the existing features can be found in the changelog file, which is a part of the installation.

On October 26th, Monday, the latest build of V-Ray RT 1.50 Service Pack 1, is available from the download section of the Chaos Group site.

The V-Ray® RT 1.50 Service Pack 1 is compatible with Autodesk® 3ds Max® 8, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 9, Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2009, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2010, Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2010.

The new V-Ray RT build supports both 32-bit and 64-bit OS.

The upgrade is free of charge for all current V-Ray customers of Chaos Group.
.
It includes the following new features:

- Support for the HSL/HSV controls of the ColorCorrect texture (as well as the map slots);
- Support for the "Additional bump" slot of the Normal bump texture;
- Some gamma workflows did not work well with the ActiveShade;
- Option to stop updating the ActiveShade window after a certain fixed amount of time;
- Support for region rendering in the ActiveShade window;
- The override material options from the standard V-Ray renderer to work properly;
- Support for environment override in VRayMtl;
- An option to manually restart V-Ray RT, without having to close & reopen the activeshade window/viewport;
- Option to pause the RT;
- Support for opacity maps of standard materials;
- Support for VRayEdgesTex in bump slot;
- Ability to directly export to a .vrscene from MaxScript without starting the ActiveShade (through the vrayExportRTScene() command);
- Access to the ActiveShade bitmap from MaxScript (through the vrayGetRTBitmap() command);
- Support for paletted PNG textures;
- Consider the "Hidden lights" switch from the standard V-Ray;
- Support for IFL file format for textures;
- Support the Shell Material in V-Ray RT.

The complete list of the new and improved features can be found in the changelog file, which is a part of the installation.

In order to explore the rendering opportunities of V-Ray RT you must have installed V-Ray 1.50.SP4 or a later version.