Maxwell 4 | SketchUp 2019 is officially here to give you the best of Maxwell for SketchUp. You can even get 10% OFF Maxwell at CAD Software Direct throughout April.
Maxwell for SketchUp is really simple to set up – just install the plugin and you’re off. Maxwell | SketchUp offers seamless integration with SketchUp Pro, allowing you to work comfortably within the SketchUp interface.
Maxwell has been specifically designed for rendering in SketchUp with a simple yet comprehensive toolbar, giving you advanced Maxwell Render technology in a simple, self-contained package.
Introducing KeyShot 8.2 which current KeyShot 8 users can upgrade to today for free. If you already have KeyShot 8 installed, you’ll be prompted to update to KeyShot 8.2 when you start up KeyShot. You can also go to the KeyShot Help menu and select Check for Updates… to start the update.
If you’re a KeyShot customer on maintenance subscription or purchased KeyShot 7 after August 15th 2018, you may upgrade to KeyShot 8.2 today using your current serial code.
This update has a focus on improving stability and integration with 3D modeling software, but there are a lot more improvements and important new features as well. Read on for the full list of updates and improvements:
You can expect your workflow in scene setup, material application and rendering to flow much better. Users are now able to pause offline rendering at any time, and if you use interior mode, you’ll notice improved speed and performance. Along with this, there are many, many updates and fixes to the KeyShot UI, making elements and actions more consistent and work how you expect them to.
More Network Rendering Options
KeyShot Network Rendering for Linux is here. Both Master and Slave can now be installed on Linux. There’s also a silent installation option for KeyShot Network Rendering on MacOS as well as many more Network Rendering improvements.
Increased Integration Capabilities
Perhaps the most input provided by KeyShot users was regarding KeyShot integration with 3D modeling software. Too many updates to list have been made, but the top improvements include optimised and updated SOLIDWORKS integration, direct import of Autodesk Revit 2019 files, and support for Vertex Colour and Deformable Curves included in Alembic output.
If you haven’t tried it yet, we invite you to try KeyShot 8 and tell us what you think. If you would like to purchase KeyShot 8 or upgrade your current KeyShot license, simply visit our website, or contact us!
If you missed the release of V-Ray for Unreal, watch this webinar to get up to speed with setting up your project and moving your V-Ray data into Unreal. Keep watching to find out the simple techniques which ensure your projects look as good as possible in Unreal.
As of November 1st 2018, V-Ray for Cinema 4D, created by LAUBlab, is an official member of the Chaos Group family.
Starting now through March 15, 2019, owners of V-Ray for Cinema 4D 3.6, or earlier, are entitled to a free license for the Chaos Group version (3.7). This license will include all updates, and it expires on January 15, 2020.
V-Ray 3.7 for Cinema 4D has the same V-Ray feature set as 3.6, is compatible with Cinema 4D R18–20 and uses Chaos Group Licensing.
All migration requests to V-Ray 3.7 for Cinema 4D will be processed through a form on Chaos Group’s website which can be found here:
The KeyShot 8 Scattering Medium brings you the ability to create a variety of appearances for your scenes and materials. Learn how to create fog, smoke, light rays, and incredible materials quickly with this unique material type. Sign up soon as space is limited!
What’s New in KeyShot 8?
There’s a lot to KeyShot 8 with new features like scattering media, displacement, and image styles. Our What’s New in KeyShot page breaks down the features and improvements with examples of what you can do.
Artist Feature: Kenny Carmody
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Kenny Carmody is 3D character artist in the film industry using KeyShot for everything from presenting concepts to final imagery, and using it along the way to dial in lighting. See how he uses KeyShot to create visuals and why it’s such an important tool in the process.
Liquids in Glass
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Rendering liquids in glass can be challenging, but with KeyShot 8 it couldn’t be more simple. So what works best when setting up the model? And, what are the best settings for rendering realistic liquid? Take a look at what you need to consider to achieve the best results when rendering liquid in glass.
KeyShot Quick Tip: Scattering Medium
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Before you see how far you can take a scene using scattering in the webinar, check out this quick overview on the new feature and how to quickly create a volume of realistic fog.
The fastest, most powerful software for real-time 3D rendering and animation brings you even more ways to create amazing shots. KeyShot 8 provides the advanced features and flexibility you need to take your visuals to the next level.
With new features like displacement, volumetrics, cutaway, images style and more, it’s a release focused on boosting your workflow, elevating your visuals, enhancing your experience and extending your reach. This is KeyShot 8 – tools that put the emphasis on the flow and less on the work to both save time to keep you creating.
There are a lot of great new features in KeyShot 8 to help you throughout the process of creating visuals whether it’s creating quick concepts or generating those final product renders. We’ve picked five to highlight for you that will have the biggest impact on what you’re now able to create in KeyShot.
Image Styles
Image Styles is a new feature that allows you to make photographic adjustments to the KeyShot scene in real-time prior to or after rendering. Multiple Image Styles may be created and added to a list for a range of different styles that can then be used in KeyShot Studios. The Photographic option includes adjustments for Tone-Mapping, Curve control, Color adjustments, Background color override, and the ability to apply a Frontplate.
Cutaway
Cutaway is a new approach to creating advanced cutaway graphics which allows you to use parts and 3D primitives to cutaway geometry by assigning the Cutaway material to the object. The Cutaway material also allows you to add and define the Cutaway Caps as a shaded color, the same material as the object to be cut or as a custom material. Additionally, all cutaways may be animated.
Scattering Media
KeyShot now supports the creation of scattering media that allows you to simulate particle scattering and volumetrics such as smoke and fog. This can be used in conjunction with physical lights for visualizing rays/beams of light. With this, you have the option to apply a Density Texture, and apply it just as you would to any other material. Additionally, you can extend the control of the scattering with full support for OpenVDB files applied to the Density Texture as a Volume Map.
Geometry Nodes
KeyShot 8 introduces an entirely new approach to working with geometry in KeyShot. Through the Material Graph, the advance material editor in KeyShot Pro, you now have three new types of geometry nodes (shaders) to modify the geometry of an object with displacement, bubbles or flakes. The Geometry Nodes include:
Displace – Displace allows you to modify the geometry through the use of displacement maps (textures). Displacement maps define the topology of a material similar to a bump map but instead of simulating the height of a surface it actually modifies it.
Bubbles – Bubbles allows you to modify the geometry by automatically adding spherical cavities within an object. Control is provided over bubble size, variation, density, and limit. Additionally, a texture can be used to define the density of the bubbles.
Flakes – Flakes allows you to modify the geometry by turning any object into a three-dimensional volume of square or spherical flakes. Control is provided over flake shape, size, variation, density, and limit. Additionally, a texture can be used to define the density of the flakes.
KeyShot Viewer
KeyShot Viewer is a new, feature-rich application to compliment design reviews, make presentations more interactive, and increase the ability to collaborate. With it, you can open, view and interact with a KeyShot scene in real-time using mouse, touch, pen or stylus to explore the scene or change materials and lighting. You can create Studios and Configurators from within KeyShot for use in KeyShot Viewer as well.
Are You Ready For KeyShot 8?
If you’re a KeyShot 7 customer on maintenance, or purchased KeyShot 7 after August 15th, you can upgrade to KeyShot 8 today using your current serial code. If you would like to purchase KeyShot 8 or upgrade your current KeyShot license, please visit CAD Software Direct or contact us today.
Register for the “What’s New in KeyShot 8?” Webinar
See the new features like displacement mapping, materials with embedded flakes and bubbles, volumetric materials including volume caustics, liquid interfaces, interactive cutaways, interactive image color and intensity curve adjustments, material ways for advanced product configurations, and much more. We expect this to fill up fast and space is limited, so register quickly!
This month we bring you another workshop from KeyShot RenderWorld 2018! Learn how to use KeyShot Animation from path animations to camera and studio switch events to create the interactive visuals you need.
Rocky Mountain Bicycles uses KeyShot to communicate and iterate on detail throughout the design and engineering process, creating visuals to get product to market faster. Learn more about how they use KeyShot.
He has a range of skill and is able to apply his craft across a range of disciplines with an amazing talent for creatures and characters. Learn more about how he uses KeyShot for concept and game design.
The latest KeyShot for 3ds Max plugin with support for 3ds Max 2019 is now available. Download the latest version for import, export and LiveLinking capability between 3ds Max and KeyShot.
Learn more about the KeyShot Pro feature that provides an iterative, non-destructive workflow to explore colour, material and finish options on a product.
Miss our last webinar? If you’ve ever had a question about material settings or which options to use when creating final renders, this is a must-see webinar.
Will Gibbons at KeyShot RenderWorld 2018 shows you how to refine the beginning-to-end process of building a KeyShot scene while taking advantage of time-saving techniques.
Version 1.6 of the KeyShot for Rhino plugin is compatible with KeyShot 7 and Rhino 6 on both Windows and Mac OS X. We recommend updating your KeyShot 7 license to KeyShot 7.3.40 – you can check to see if you’re on the latest version from the KeyShot Help menu.
Though this is the only update for the plugin, we look forward to see how you are using the new version of Rhino and KeyShot together.
A valid license of KeyShot 7 and Rhino 6 is required for import and LiveLinking. As always, the plugin is free and may be downloaded on the KeyShot plugin page.
Webinar Recap: KeyShot Viewer
If you missed the last webinar showing KeyShot viewer, you can watch it now to see how to use it in share scenes, configurations and collaborate with others.
