Every new version of each Autodesk's software has some advanced and new features. Autodesk is traditionally publishing new software versions since the first Autodesk 3ds Max 8, published in 2008. Every update of the existing version has improved features in accordance with market and user demands as the primary goal. As designers from various creative fields are using 3D max for 3D modeling and rendering, the desire to advance all functions still exists.

This year, the situation isn't different, so we will investigate all the innovations and compare the latest version of 3ds Max 2019 with the earlier version.

3D ANIMATION

Considering 3D animation, everything is still the same. Features like Motion Paths, Camera Sequencer, Dual Quaternion skinning, Populate enhancements, Populate crowd animation, Character animation and rigging tools, General animation tools, Animated deformers, Track View retiming, Text tool (enhanced), Geodesic Voxel and Heatmap skinning, Max Creation Graph animation controllers, Animation productivity are the same as in earlier version. Looks like animators must wait for some improvements until next year.

3D MODELING AND TEXTURING

Options, tools and features like Data Channel Modifier, Blended Box Map, OpenSubdiv support, Enhanced ShaderFX, ShaderFX, Point cloud support, Placement tools, Quad chamfer, Mesh and surface modeling, Texture assignment and editing, Shading and material design, Vector map support, Text and shape map, Fast form hard surfaces, UV mapping, Object tool improvements are still the same, but the latest version of 3ds Max has some new features in this section.

New features:

● Open Shading Language (OSL) support:

Open shading language (OSL) allows you to use a new OSL map, which is an entirely new category of various OSL maps with over 100 included shaders. Another advantage of this new feature is that you can create your OSL maps using development tools.

● Parametric spline shape Booleans:

This tool is beneficial because, now, you can use Shape Booleans for combining both closed and open splines.

● Procedural wood texture:

Procedural wood material added from Fusion 360 includes various types of wood (cherry, maple, pine, oak, ash, walnut, and mahogany) and you can adjust the finish coat to be glossy, semi-glossy, or even painted. Pores, ring thickness, and bump also can be adjusted, which additionally helps you achieve more realistic renders.

3D RENDERING

Considering 3D rendering, no options have been removed, and only one new option is added. Interactive VR engine, Interactive sample VR templates, Arnold, Rendering support, 3ds Max Batch, Physical camera, Iray and mental ray enhancements, Accelerated viewport performance, Enhanced Active Shade rendering, Stereo Camera, Integrated rendering options, Render pass system, Active Shade interactive rendering, Nitrous accelerated graphics core, DX11 viewport rendering, Slate compositing editor, and ART are existing options that were enjoyed by 3ds max 2018 users.

New feature:

● 3ds Max Interactive scene layout in VR

Now, using VR in 3ds Max Interactive, you can use integrated tools for scene editing, and see updates in real time.

Enhanced features:

● 3ds Max Interactive

With the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift headset, you can edit a level in VR. You also must have controllers delivered with the headset, and then you can move around the scene you created, and you can select, delete, or move objects in the level.

● Arnold for 3ds Max

For enabling you access to the latest Arnold's features, 3ds Max has a new integrated plugin - MAXtoA.

● Physical Camera

The latest version of 3ds Max brought better camera settings. Real-life settings like aperture, depth of field, shutter speed, and exposure are now available within this powerful software.

● ActiveShade rendering

You still can preview material settings before rendering, but the process of rendering is now quicker.

● Autodesk Raytracer Renderer (ART)

Rendering of interior designs and architectural objects have never been more straightforward. You can add a model from Revit, Inventor, Fusion 360, and other Autodesk software using the Autodesk Raytracer (ART).

UI, WORKFLOW, AND PIPELINE

All tools, features, and options are the same except three new features - Civil View vehicles physical material support, Autodesk Viewer workflows from within 3ds Max, and Updated project tools.

New features:

● Civil View vehicles physical material support

3ds Max physical material now can be added to all vehicles created in CivilView. That way, conversion can be reduced, which simplifies rendering.

● Autodesk Viewer workflows from within 3ds Max

Online sharing of models directly from your 3ds Max interface is now available. Besides, Autodesk Viewer allows you to review feedback.

● Updated project tools

Better folder structure flexibility and cleverer project switching will ease creating new projects and make storing custom data more comfortable.

Second update of 3ds Max 2019

After the latest version was published, Autodesk provided us with two new upgrades. Besides a few new features, some existing features are enhanced, and over 160 issues are fixed.

Some of the most significant fixes of this release:

- Civil View workflow

- Civil View materials for generating renderer agnostic

- New Sun/Sky positioner

- Physical Materials

- Composite Map - Blending Mode drop-down list

- Viewports

- Fluids

- The file I/O

- MCG

- Splines

Bottom line

3ds Max has never been better! The fact that they managed to fix all these issues is a significant upgrade in itself, but that they added and enhanced so many features makes this powerful modeling and rendering tool even better! Creating hyper-realistic renders and animations is easier than ever, and - which is the most important - now it fits better to all creative fields. No matter if you are an art director, graphic designer, architect or 3d artist, you'll surely enjoy the latest version of 3ds Max 2019!

I’ve got to go, the HTC Vive headset is waiting for me! Enjoy!