[Richard]

The ability to load an emixer file direct from the plugin, so that ML doesn't need to be enabled where multiple scenes or cameras are aimed for consistancy!

[stefan_kaplan]

Let's continue the list of wishes since the new version of the Maxwell Exporter-plugin (v2.4) is almost the same as v2.2.
Only improvement I've found so far is the abilty to browse and select HDRI files using the "..." buttons in the HDRI-Parameters Window (you no longer have to type in the filenames and extensions).

I would like:
1. To control Simulens (scattering and devignetting) directly from the Camera Settings Window or Export Options Window in SketchUp.
2. To activate the new Multilight feature "Color + Intensity" in the Export Options.
3. To hide groups and components (and not only plain geometry as it is now) from camera, reflections and GI. It would be great if this "Maxwell Object Proporties" window could change when selecting different faces/groups/components.
4. To make a new Scene that inherits the Maxwell-setting from another scene.
5. An integrated WYSIWYG HDRI-feature in SketchUp would be fantastic but maybe not possible?
I've made my own work-around with a "HDRI-sphere", but I guess it should be in a separate thread.

Send your wishes - Christmas is getting closer. Ho ho ho.

[Richard]

Would love to see your sphere method mate! I was working on one but never got far!

[stefan_kaplan]

Would love to see your sphere method mate! I was working on one but never got far!

I've posted it here.
Please feel free to comment and add on to the tecnique!

/ Stefan

[stefan_kaplan]

- Include the new render channels: Roughness and Fresnel in the Maxwell Exporter Options.

- The menus in the Maxwell Plugin should be more informative, eg. with unit sizes:
In the Camera Settings it says: "Shutter: ____". Why not say: "Shutter 1/____ sec."?
In the Exporter Options it says: "Render time: _____" Why not say: "Render time: _____ min."?
In the HDRI Settings it says: "U Offset: _____". Why not say: "U Offset: _____ (0-360 deg.)"
Especially the HDRI Settings window lacks this kind of information!

The Vray Plugin for SketchUp has great tooltips (you know the yellow flags that popup when resting the cursor over a button) with ALOT of text explaining various functions.
That could also be a solution...

/ Stefan

[fv]

1. It would be nice if the plugin vesion 2.4 would work with autoMXM
2. Please work on the "show render area" bug. On my OSX system in SU 6 and 7 this box does not work. You can't just swith the renderarea on and off. You have to open the dialog box a few times to make the switch working.
3. Would it be possible to include the 2 point perspective, or have it work with the shift tool (Y=) for the camera.

and I agree with you stefan, a little extra effort in informing people at the point where you type in your variables is more than worth it.
Francois
PS, not about the update specifically..
But, in SU I can't even see the names of the materials/textures other than hovering my mouse over the material panel. How's that for ease of use... horrible and its slow too.I have sometimes 6 shades of gray and hoveing over de materials is a contant hassle.
In the 80's and 90's developments in CAD were incredibly fast, now it seems unbelievable slow in terms of end-user-ergonomics. We now control a lot more variables with a lot less information on what we are doing. Maxwell and SU should take a good look at Modo or Vectorworks.

[brodie_geers]

I'm not sure if this is a request or a question since I haven't tried the new plugin yet. With the old plugin when I linked a SU material to an .mxm it would save that information but if you then selected another material the plugin's material panel would be blank. The fix was/is to close it out in between selected every material. Has anyone checked to see if this is fixed? I'm not sure if that problem was for everyone but I believe Richard had the same issue.

-Brodie

[brodie_geers]

I've worked a bit in 3ds Max and if I'm not mistaken when you render from 3ds Max the render is done direct rather than having to take the time to export the whole scene and then start rendering. Can the same thing happen from SU? Seems like that would make the plugin a lot more useful. As is I find it takes too long to do tests so I just export and work in studio instead of even attempting to get the right camera settings in SU.

-Brodie

[Richard]

Mate possibly max doesn't have the same issue due to the format in which it works? I think that exporting from SU is an issue for most renderers as SU (skp) is fairly cluncky and conversion to another format is necessary, for example studio can import obj, lwo and a few others direct, where skp would need to be converted first.

Yes I and I think most others had the material panel issue with blank materials on second selection!

Seriously mate try the "mxm reporter" plugin it has so many cool features like:

always going back to the material library of the existing link,
option to reset material to break existing link,
tabled display of link type with colour code, autoMXM, direct link, no link - etc!

Saves so many hassles and very friendly!