What's New in 3ds Max 2018.3 Update

As you proceed through the documentation, keep an eye out for the icon, indicating a new feature, and the icon, indicating a change to an existing feature. You can also search for information about new or changed features. For topics that describe new program features, search for "new feature". For changes in existing features, search for "changed feature".

Highlights
Fluids:
  • Fluids allow you to create fluid simulations directly inside 3ds Max using Bifrost technolody.
  • Read/create BIF files for direct interoperability with Maya.
  • Save/create presets based on viscosity, giving the illusion of different fluid types (honey, water, jelly, etc.).
  • Read/open VDB files.
  • Dynamically create meshes based on the simulation, which can be processed at the same time or independently.
  • Outputs mesh to Alembic so you can play anywhere Alembic is supported or have faster playback.
Motion Field:
  • The Motion Field space warp works with Fluids, 3ds Max's particle systems, and deforms meshes.
  • Combines multiple forces that would have had to be done separately previously, such as drag, wind, and gravity.
  • Ability to turn specific components on/off as needed.
New Arnold release:
  • See the Arnold (MAXtoA) release notes for detailed information.
  • Compatible with Fluids.
  • Update to Arnold 5.0.1.3
  • Polymeshes can be volume containers.
  • Global AOV shaders exposed.
  • Indirect AOV checkbox added to skydome light.
  • RGBA (beauty) AOV now allowed.
  • Indirect Sample Clamp and Indirect Specular Blue exposed in rendering options.
  • Iridescence (thin film) section added to the Standard Surface shader.
  • Normal Map shader exposes a strength parameter.
  • Coat built-in AOVs added.
  • Improved mesh light sampling.
  • Shaper quad and disk light spread.
  • Up to 2x faster BVH build.
  • Support for point cloud objects.
  • min_pixel_width added to the Arnold property modifier.
  • "Skip License Check" renamed "Render with Watermarks."
  • Scene information added as metadata when exported to .ass file.
  • OIO upgraded to 1.7.15.
  • OSL upgraded to 1.9.0.
  • New CLM license.

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