Autodesk has released 3ds Max 2018 this week.
Along with several new features and user requested improvements 3ds Max 2018 ships with Arnold as its bundled renderer, replacing Mental Ray.
The latest version of Arnold, also released this week, brings significantly faster render times and optimised sampling to 3ds Max, resulting in a much fast workflow while maintaining the ability to tackle complex rendering tasks.
3ds Max 2018 also features a Physical Camera that simulates real-life camera settings including exposure, depth of field, and shutter speed.
The user interface has been enhanced for stability and is more dynamic than ever. It has been redesigned to be more customizable and responsive. 3ds Max 2018 brings a strengthened toolset that helps artists continually push boundaries, creating 3D content efficiently with stunning results.
Other new features
Motion Paths
A new way to modify the animation by visualizing the animation as a bezier trajectory
Smart asset packaging
Create, update, and share assets that are flexible, connected, and react to changes in design data
Customizable workspaces
Users can now personalise their interface for a smoother experience
MAX to LMV
Share and review assets viewed in a web browser
Data Channel Modifier
Get information direct from a model and use to make other types of modifications
Blended Box Map
Blend as many as six materials to morph visible seams
Find out more about 3ds Max.