Chaos has just launched its Chaos Bridge for 3ds Max. It is part of its V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 2, and effectively unifies its AEC visualization workflow. Consequently, architects can now easily deliver their visual design intent, directly to visualization teams, in a format that is compatible with their preferred 3D content creation applications.
Chaos Bridge
Chaos Bridge enables easy exchanges of complex graphical data between Enscape and V-Ray. It correspondingly connects two of architectural visualization’s most trusted products, Enscape and V-Ray, into a single pipeline. Consequently, this enables an easy collaboration from the initial concept to right through to the final render.
Vice President of Product Management at Chaos, Phillip Miller. Image: screen capture from Total Chaos presentation video.
As a result of the new Chaos Bridge, design teams are now one step closer to fluidly turning Revit designs into high-end visualizations, preserving key decisions from the initial concept through to the final render. VP of Product Management at Chaos, Phillip Miller explains:
“This update provides the big missing piece to the AEC puzzle by bridging the divide between the continual visualization being done in CAD with the advanced visualization produced in DCC tools. Now, architects have a simple way to send their work directly to their viz teams using 3ds Max (and soon Cinema 4D) that preserves their design intent, removes confusion, and provides the rapid start every project needs.”
Real-Time to Photoreal
Today, what starts its life in a CAD program can now be fine-tuned and rendered in V-Ray 6. Consequently, Chaos Bridge creates a continuous path from CAD to DCC (digital content creation). It additionally offers complete support for Enscape environments, materials, and nearly all Enscape assets.
As a result, architects can now deliver visualization teams a version of their design in a form that makes further visualization much easier. Moreover, Chaos is actively refining its Enscape compatibility. Consequently, this will enable easier data exchanges between applications, thus reducing or eliminating compatibility issues.
New MaterialX and latest USD support for 3ds Max
With new support for MaterialX, artists can now complete their USD (universal scene description) pipeline. As a result, this enables smooth rendering and shader exchanges across design teams and software tools. Moreover, Chaos has also added support for the latest USD for 3ds Max version. Consequently, this will enable users to make extensive use of the tool’s full capabilities.
Other new features
In addition to Chaos Bridge, there are also many other interesting new features and improvements.
VRay 6.2 Lister – this can manage all lights and cameras from a single location. Image: Chaos.
These include faster workflow, better lighting control, more realistic scattering, and various improvements to V-Ray itself.
Faster workflow
- Chaos Cloud One-Click Submit. Users can now access Chaos Cloud rendering in a click, all without leaving 3ds Max or waiting for a scene to export.
- Faster .vrscene Exports. Achieves up to twenty times faster exports and significantly smaller file sizes on scenes with large scattering data. This improvement also accelerates V-Ray GPU’s time to the first pixel.
- Unified V-Ray Lister for 3ds Max. This new update can manage all lights and cameras from a single location. An enhanced user interface also helps users explore new features for bulk adjustments, filtering, and searching.
Lighting
- IES Light Models in Chaos Cosmos. Chaos’ ever-expanding library of ready-to-render assets now helps artists import 3D light models, including IES profiles, in a few clicks. Furthermore, interiors can now be illuminated faster than ever before.
More Realistic Scattering
- Altitude Variance. Users can now control object distribution based on surface height, helping them achieve natural altitude variances for their vegetation.
- Groups Hierarchy. In Chaos Scatter, users can now distribute multiple objects in a group or hierarchy with just a couple of clicks.
- Scatter Orientation. The orientation of scattered items can be adjusted by rotating away or toward a selected object. As a result, this provides users with added control and realism.
V-Ray Frame Buffer (VFB) Improvements
- Chromatic Aberration. This new post-effect helps artists explore distinctive looks and color fringing directly within the VFB, without requiring a third-party application.
- Custom Background Color. Color corrections now include a solid background option, removing the need to load an image.
V-Ray GPU Updates
- Faster Animation Rendering. Image sequences can now be rendered up to four times more quickly. This accelerates everything from AEC marketing to high-end visual effects. This is because V-Ray GPU now caches bitmaps between frames.
- V-Ray Enmesh. Complex geometric patterns can be quickly created over object surfaces to make detailed fabrics, fences, and panels in an automated and memory-efficient way.
To learn more about Chaos Bridge, together with a more exhaustive list of the other new features in V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, please visit the What’s New page.
Availability
V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 2 is available for 3ds Max versions from 2019 to 2024. Similarly, all V-Ray subscription plans work for all supported host applications, including 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Maya, Nuke, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp and Unreal.
In order to experience the new benefits of the unified workflow that Chaos Bridge can offer, you need Enscape 3.5.6 or above and V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 2 or above. For more information concerning Chaos products, please click here.
About Chaos
Chaos develops 3D visualization technology for architecture, engineering, construction, and media, as well as entertainment, product design, and manufacturing. Its software creates intuitive and powerful workflows for designers of all types. In 2022, Chaos merged with Enscape and acquired Cylindo. Then in 2023, Chaos also acquired AXYZ design.
Today, the company’s product portfolio includes Anima, Corona, Cylindo, Enscape, and V-Ray. In fact, Chaos is now one of the world’s largest global 3D visualization companies, with more than 700 employees. Its head office is in Karlsruhe, Germany, with offices around the globe. Please click here for more information.