[Peter Shupe]

I installed the newest version of the plugin and there aren't any Maxwell Cameras anymore? Any of my old scenes that I open seem to crash. I have narrowed it down to the Maxwell cameras. If I delete all my cameras and open. They seem to be fine.

NOTE: - I have installed the new plugin in my new Max 9 install, as I don't want to copy over my Max 8 and M~R plugin, just yet as I am using that for current project. It could be a problem with Max 9 as well?? Please let me know if the cameras still exist in the new plugin!

Also where does the mxs file go? I like being able to just use the regular Max rendered file location but where do you specify the location for the mxs? Incase you want to open up in Studio.

[Mihnea Balta]

Hi.

There is a known problem when importing a scene saved with the old plug-in in Max9. There have been some internal changes in Max9 and a mechanism used by the previous version of the plug-in doesn't work anymore. We're trying to find a workaround but unfortunately, until we find one, you'll have to convert the scene using Max8 (after saving it with the new plug-in once it will load correctly in Max9).

The Maxwell camera is gone, now the Maxwell-specific parameters are applied to normal Max cameras (you'll find a Maxwell rollup if you go to the modifiers panel). When you open an old scene, the plug-in will convert all the old cameras into normal Max cameras, but this fails in Max9 as described above.

You can export your scenes as MXS files by using the File -> Export or File -> Export selected menu.

[Peter Shupe]

Thanks Mihnea - So my problem is a combination of Max 9 and new plugin.

I wasn't sure I wanted to update the plugin on my other machine, Max 8, as I have a project that I don't want any differences in renders and didn't want any learning curve for the new plugin.

Is that something to be concerned about? Does it give the same results between the 2 plugins? Currently I am one computer short on renders so if I can upgrade my plugin for my MAX without any issues I will do that . Then I can save the file and open correctly in Max9. Please advise.

Regards Peter.

[Mihnea Balta]

We tried to make the transition as smooth as possible but it's not without problems. The plug-in should be good enough for starting a new project with it, but you need to test it in your particular case before deciding to convert an existing project.

I'd suggest installing the plug-in and trying to see how it works with your scenes. If the conversion is not good enough you can always uninstall the new plug-in and put the old one back; just make sure you don't overwrite any of your scenes with the new plug-in until you're positive that it works for you.

One thing to watch out for is that the new plug-in converts MXM references into new-style Maxwell materials, which store all their data inside the Max scene. You can no longer change one MXM file and have all the scenes that use that file automatically update when you render them again. We are planning to reintroduce MXM reference materials, but we don't have an ETA for it.

Another thing is that animation export is not implemented yet. We're working on it right now, but if you need animation support today, don't switch yet.

Check the sticky thread at the top of this forum for more details on current features and limitations. It also contains some hints you'll need when converting an old scene, like the need to save the scene and re-load it after it has been converted.

[Peter Shupe]

Mihnea - Is it easy to uninstall? I just wanted to make sure it was before doing this. Is there an uninstall or would I just install the old one over top? Thanks.

Regards Peter.

BTW - I'm having a better feeling about support and general confidence in NL with the new release!

[Mihnea Balta]

There will be an entry in Add/Remove programs after you install the new plug-in and you can use that to remove it. However, simply copying the old maxwell.dlr over the new one in the plugins folder will be enough.

[Fernando Tella]

No problem here uninstalling. Smooth.

(It's not that I don't like the new plugin but had to finish some projects with the old one )