Summer of Content

June 10, 2015 by Leave a comment

U_K5Wi1sI’m pleased to announce that ArchVision is a Silver Sponsor of the 2015 Revit Technology Conference (RTC) in both North America and Europe where we’ll be showcasing some of our newest developments in late July (Washington, DC USA) and October (Budapest, Hungary).

Not content (see what I did there) with resting on our laurels the team at ArchVision has been working feverishly on some exciting new developments.

RPC

On the RPC front we’ll soon have a new update for Entourage Workshop that includes Autodesk Cloud Rendering support, support for RPC Planting families, and a new option for making 2D RPC geometry face the camera in Revit.

2.4 v-ray_for_ants_2 If you were in Atlanta last month for the AIA annual convention and expo I’m sure you were as blown away as I was at Chaos Groups preview of VRay for Revit.  Our teams have been working together closely to make sure your RPCs flow through seamlessly.  They do!  Take a look at these images.  Your RPCs in Revit have never looked better than when they’re rendered with VRay.  If you missed AIA don’t miss RTC so you can see it for yourself!

If you haven’t stopped by the recently relaunched ArchVision Labs site you may have missed the news that we’ve been working on an RPC Plug-in for Sketchup!  Been a long time coming but it was worth the wait.  There are still a few things to get sorted out but we’ll be releasing this to existing customers for beta testing soon.  We’ve also begun working with 3rd party Sketchup rendering partners such as Podium and VRay to ensure smooth workflows.

It’s in the Details…

We’re working to expand our content offering beyond RPC.  First will be a collection of approximately 1,000 Revit Components.  The Component Warehouse will be the first “Channel” of non-RPC content available leveraging a new content platform we’ve been developing (more on this soon).  The components are easily browsed or searched.

Need Revit Drafting Views?  Detail Warehouse is a subscription “Channel” where a small yearly fee gains you access to a library of tens of thousands of Revit Drafting Views ready to customize to your particular needs.  The Detail Warehouse is a great way to get your own standards library off the ground or augment your existing library.

If you’re already registered for RTC be sure to stop by our booth on the exhibit floor to see all of these exciting new developments.  It’s not too late!  You can still register for RTC and be sure to register for our class: “Take Control of Your Assets (including Families and Drafting Views) – an RTC Lab!

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Fresh Update: V-Ray 3.0 for 3ds Max Now Supports 3ds Max 2015

May 29, 2014 by Leave a comment

V-Ray_Andrey-Kobushenko

A new update for V-Ray 3.0 for 3ds Max 2015 is now available for download. In addition to support for 3ds Max 2015, Chaos Group has added a new VrayPointParticleMtl material. This is a free update for current V-Ray 3.0 for 3ds Max users.

This update also includes:

  • V-Ray: Added option to the .vrmesh exporter to automatically create a Multi/Sub-Object material when exporting multiple objects in a single file
  • V-Ray RT CPU: Added lights include/exclude list support
  • V-Ray RT: Implemented showing Safe Frame when rendering in a viewport
  • VRayProxy: Added option to render particles as points
  • VRayProxy: Added option to enable/disable Alembic full names support in visibility lists
  • V-Ray MetaballsVRayProxy: Added support for hair and particles color channels from Alembic
  • VRayProxy: Make the “Animation offset” parameter animatable

    • To purchase additional licenses or for more information, please visit: ArchVision.com for the latest on feature update availability. Click product version for current purchase options.

    Licensed users may access the update directly from Chaos Group here.

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    V-Ray 3.0 Launches: Faster Ray Tracing and Rendering Performance

    February 4, 2014 by Leave a comment

    Image Credit: Artwork by FAMA, Courtesy Chaos Group

    Image Credit: Artwork by FAMA, Courtesy Chaos Group

    V-Ray 3.0 introduces a powerful set of new features and improvements. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade, now is the time to invest in an improved production-focused rendering engine:

    Artist-friendly Controls
    Designed with new and experienced users in mind, V-Ray 3.0 offers a simplified user interface with fast access to common settings.

    Render set up is now faster and easier with V-Ray 3.0’s Quick Settings. Artists can choose from a variety of production presets and fine tune quality with slider controls. And a new V-Ray Toolbar puts all popular V-Ray tools in one place.

    Faster Ray Tracing and Rendering Performance
    Optimizations to V-Ray’s ray tracing core make rendering in V-Ray 3.0 significantly faster. Depending on scene complexity beta users are reporting speed increases up to 5X.

    Faster Feedback
    Using a powerful path-tracing engine, V-Ray 3.0’s new Progressive Image Sampler delivers instant feedback to artists and makes look development faster and more intuitive.

    An improved V-Ray Frame Buffer adds Lens Effects and advanced color corrections for Contrast, HSL, and Color Balance.

    Production-Focused Tools
    New tools designed to give artists more control and flexibility include Max Ray Intensity, Probabilistic Light Sampling, Reflection/Refraction Trace Sets, and Render Mask to specify exact render regions with an object selection or image mask.

    Open Source Workflows
    Support for open source tools and formats include Alembic 1.5, Deep Images and OpenEXR 2.0, programmable OSL shaders, and advanced color management with OpenColorIO.

    V-Ray 3.0 also introduces new licensing and pricing policy:

    Here are the highlights:

    • Universal render nodes to be used across multiple 3D platforms (V-Ray 3.0 for 3ds Max and Maya will be the first tools to support the universal render nodes).

    • Workstation Licenses to reduce the cost for an individual user license.

    Purchase Options
    Workstation and Bundle Licenses available here.

    Have more questions?
    We can provide quotes to you for your studio, assist with set-up planning and help you determine what will best meet your needs. Contact us at support@archvision.com or call us Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm ET, +1 859.252.3118 ext 117.

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    V-Ray 2.0 for SketchUp Officially Released!

    September 17, 2013 by Leave a comment

    sketchup

    SketchUp is one of the most widely used and easy to learn 3D modeling software applications on the market. And, V-Ray 2.0 for SketchUp only improves the experience! This artist-friendly rendering solution for SketchUp features dramatic improvements to visualization workflow (V-Ray RT®), image-based lighting quality (V-Ray Dome Light), and a designer’s ability to quickly manage complex scenes with highly detailed models (V-Ray Proxy).

    V-Ray 2.0 for Sketchup can be purchased here. ($799 USD)

    Existing V-Ray for SketchUp users can upgrade here. ($320 USD)

    Click here to view the new V-Ray 2.0 for SketchUp product at ArchVision and view the PDF for new features.

    Have questions? Contact us at support@archvision.com.

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    V-Ray 3.0 for 3ds Max Beta Announced

    September 5, 2013 by Leave a comment

    Image Credit: Marek Denko, Courtesy Chaos Group

    Image Credit: Marek Denko, Courtesy Chaos Group


    Chaos Group has officially announced the V-Ray 3.0 for 3ds Max Beta Program. ArchVision welcomes you to participate in this program and discover the advantages of the latest edition of the V-Ray render engine. Learn all about the V-Ray 3.0 for 3ds Max Beta program here.

    During the beta process, you will also have direct access to Chaos Group’s development team and the beta community via the V-Ray 3.0 for 3ds Max Forum.

    As a beta tester, you will have access to new V-Ray features including-:

    • Faster Ray Tracing: Faster Brute Force and Path Tracing calculations
    • New User Interface: New artist-friendly UI with easy access to common controls
    • Progressive Rendering: New path-traced rendering engine with intuitive set up
    • Quick Settings: New presets and controls for tuning quality and speed
    • VRmats: Universal V-Ray shader for use across multiple applications
    • New Shaders: New Skin shader, ray-traced SSS, and support for OSL
    • Improved Hair: Faster render speeds and optimized shading for hair and fur
    • Alembic: Integrated support for Alembic Caches
    • Advanced Color: Improved color workflow with support for LUTs, ICC, and OpenColorIO
    • Deep Data: Complete support for Deep Data and OpenEXR 2.0
    • Render Mask: Define render areas using an image mask
    • RT GPU Render Elements: Support for render element in V-Ray RT GPU
    • Improved Distributed Rendering: Automatic asset collection for Distributed Rendering

    Check out all of the V-Ray products currently available at ArchVision here. Visit this blog often for more news on the development of V-Ray 3.0 for 3ds Max.

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    V-Ray 2.0 is Now Available for Autodesk 3ds Max 2013

    May 8, 2012 by 6 Comments

    The wait is over. V-Ray 2.0 for Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 is now officially available. V-Ray 2.0 license owners can login into www.chaosgroup.com and download it now from the downloads area.

    This new version features:

    • Support for 3ds Max 2013
    • Support for motion blur (transformation and deformation) with V-Ray RT and V-Ray RT GPU
    • Optimized interactive rendering using the NVIDIA CUDA™ architecture in addition to OpenCL
    • New “Matte for reflection/refraction” option to the VRayWrapperMtl material and the V-Ray object settings
    • Support for Ornatrix 2.0

    View a complete list of features and improvements here: Features and Improvements List (PDF)

    Need to purchase a V-Ray 2.0 license? Get it here: V-Ray 2.0 for 3ds Max

    Have V-Ray 1.x and want to upgrade to 2.0? Get it here: V-Ray 2.0 for 3ds Max Upgrade

    Check out this video from Jimmy at Chaos Group showing off some of the new features:

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    ArchVision RPCs Plug-ins released for Autodesk 2013 Applications

    March 27, 2012 by 4 Comments

    ArchVision RPC Plug-ins and Content are available for immediate download for a series of Autodesk 2013 applications.

    Supported Autodesk Applications include:

  • Autodesk 3ds Max
  • Autodesk 3ds Max Design
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture
  • Autodesk Civil 3D
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Autodesk Revit Architecture

    • ArchVision Dashboard RPC Plug-ins Tab

    ArchVision Dashboard RPC Plug-ins Tab

    How do I get my RPC Plug-in?
    Update or install ArchVision Dashboard. Need to install an ArchVision Dashboard? Visit: http://archvision.com/dashboard

    ArchVision Dashboard users please open and login into your Dashboard, run any updates and verify your version. To verify your version, click preferences at the top of the ArchVision Dashboard. Visit the RPC Plug-ins tab to select and install your required RPC Plug-ins.

    Have questions? Email support@archvision.com or visit our live chat http://archvision.com/

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    10 Years of V-Ray: A Decade of Rendering Innovation

    March 15, 2012 by Leave a comment

    The rapidly evolving Design Visualization community has seen many advancements in technology over the past 10 years. Today renderings are produced with more realism and detail than ever before. Chaos Group, the makers of the V-Ray render engine, have played a key role in that. Their plug-ins have pushed the boundaries of photo-realism in rendering and set new heights for rendering excellence.

    V-Ray has transcended Architectural rendering and found it’s way into nearly every aspect of Design Visualization. From video games, to product design and major motion pictures, if it looks incredible, chances are it was made with V-Ray technology. This month we celebrate 10 years of V-Ray and pay tribute to Chaos Group who’s contributions have changed how the world renders.

    ArchVision is a proud reseller of V-Ray products. Learn more about these exceptional tools here:
    http://www.archvision.com/products/vray

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    Chaos Group Phoenix (FD): Amazingly Realistic Simulation

    November 22, 2011 by Leave a comment

    Chaos Group just announced the release of their follow up product to Phoenix Fluid Dynamics, Phoenix (FD) 2. Best known for V-Ray, Chaos Group’s products have pushed rendering realism to the extreme, and this product is by no means an exception.

    Phoenix FD simulates realistic smoke, fire, liquid, explosions and more. Unlike many other 3ds Max plug-ins, this product is very intuitive. Simply add the PHXSimluator box around the object you want to set ablaze and let Phoenix FD work it’s magic. The simulation calculations can even be viewed directly in the viewport prior to rendering. Control the intensity of the explosion, the density of the smoke or the viscosity of the fluid. This simulator is amazing.

    Check out the version 1.2 version of this product demonstrated by Autodesk Certified Instructor and Visual Effects wizard, Michael McCarthy:

    Phoenix FD 2.0 now features a foam and splashes particle shader. View a video by Dimitar Krastev showing this new feature here:



    Don’t take my word for it though. Download a demo today. You can access the demo at http://www.chaosgroup.com by registering and then clicking on Phoenix FD under the downloads menu.

    Phoenix FD 2.0 can also be purchased for $960.00 here:
    http://commerce.vismasters.com/catalog/products/phoenix-fluid-dynamics-20_4587.aspx

    This product requires a $35.00 V-Ray license dongle.

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    SIGGRAPH 2011: Showcases Emerging CG Technologies

    August 9, 2011 by Leave a comment

    Get a glimpse of emerging industry technologies at SIGGRAPH 2011. A variety of ArchVision friends and partners are participating at the SIGGRAPH 2011 Vancouver Make It Home Conference this week. If you are out and about, we encourage you stop by for the latest updates from some of our industry friends:

    * Autodesk (#429) will host product demos and unveil a series of top user requests via The Area.
    * Chaos Group (#135) will feature in-depth presentations of V-Ray for 3ds Max, Maya, Rhino and the latest in Phoenix FD 2.0 and presentations by industry experts (including Michael McCarthy, David Lesperance, Paul Ghezzo, Graham Fyffe and many others)
    * Hayabusa (#679) will present RhinoAR – an AR plug-in for Rhinoceros and Hayabusa Renderer 2.0 for Rhino.
    * Luxology (#631) will showcase modo® 501 and Luxology®s newly released Model Bashing Kit in the AMD booth.
    * Next Limit Technologies (#625) will offer demos and insights into their cutting-edge simulation software for applications in 3D computer graphics, VFX, science, and engineering with RealFlow, Maxwell Render, and XFlow.
    * Robert McNeel & Associates (#778) will provide insights and demos into Rhino and recent releases including, iRhino 3D for iPhone and iPad.

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