Josef Wienerroither

Indeed it is , you have to rename the PackageContents.xml file in the...\ApplicationPlugins\Vray3dsMaXXX folder ( xxx schould be your 3ds Max version ). eg. rename it to PackageContents.xml_ or similar the ApplicationPlugins folders location i think is depending on your setup, see for a description here https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2023/ENU/?guid=packaging_plugins But after you renamed the xml file, 3ds max should not load vray any longer at launch

In the last couple of years the Max dev team really ramped up their pace regarding improvements made in various areas, including very "deep core" performance stuff. So as much as i'm usually very hesitant and late to update, recent versions are very very tempting - especially Max 2024 i'm on the 3ds Max beta, so i know whats all going on regarding internal improvements

That looks really nice and handy Thanks for this goodie !

Connecter is the one i prefer https://www.designconnected.com/connecter/

I just published fresh builds for IFC importer plugins based on the opensource IfcOpenshell framework As mentioned in the LinkedIn post , the plugins use an updated IfcOpenshell codebase ( v0.6.0-rc ) which might fix many bugs and include new features ... Head over to my post on LinkedIn to download ( let me know if you can't see the post on linked in ) The ICF file format imports as very clean meshes and there are plenty of those models arround the web See the sample import screenshot attached ( >15k nodes, >4 Mio polys ) Link

or use the old Volume select modifier.. has a texture option too...

That usually means you have already keyframes on the timeline of the selected object that are not snapped to frames to quickly fix this be sure to have "snap to frames" checked in the timeline configuration menu, select all keyframes, move them a frame to the right ( this causes all keyframes to snap on the next frame ) and then move them back a frame. after that procedure, all keyframes should exactly sit on a frame and the time configuration should allow to be set to frames display. Its likely that there's a menu or button somewhere which would do a similar thing, but i always use above steps for this

Done .. see attachment uploads_files_2071485_Dummy_M2016.zip

I added a Max 2014 version to my post

Using the bitmap option in Volume Select on a plane with high enough segements ? Put a linked Xform modifier above to do the vertical movement using a control object Put a lattice modifier on top to generate the balls ( pflow of course would be cooler ) Animated the volume select assigned map using a mix map to blend between two different flag images ... all dynamically adjustable ( simple increase segs of the plane to have more lightballs etc.. ) See attached video and zip file including the max + bitmaps for the sample https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tu1vePGqW-s Lightballs_Max2020.zip Lightballs_M2014.zip

I had fun playing with this challenge, using the Toy Train plugin i mentioned previously First i thought it to be a perfect solution, but of course i was wrong: The Toy Train plugin always leads to the trailers folllow the exact same path as the engine ( but with a time delay ), while in real world, the trailers would follow the engine in the most direct path and direction caused by the pull force of the engine The flaw of course is most obvious in tight corners ... BTW: how can i embedd the youtube video properly ? ( i used the insert video button ) Nevertheless i share the scene here ( 3ds Max 2014 and the Toytrain plugin required ) Its still a start for the real solution. To make it the real thing one would have to control the trailer differently ( removing the toy train plugin ). Not sure if this really solveable with pure IK controller (without some experision or maxscript controllers ) , but i currently have no time to follow this idea further Trailer_Offtracking_M2014.zip

You might also look at the freeware Toy Train plugin ( download for free at 3dsmaxplugins.de ) https://www.maxplugins.de/max2018.php?search=toytrain&all=on&sort=Author Be sure to pick the correct download for your 3ds Max version It's exactly designed for such tractor-trailer animation tasks Big thanks to David Baker from 3dsMaxPlugins.de, who still does the recompiles for such hidden treasures !

There is also MaxToC4D , which is supposed to be better than plain FBX AFAIK it's still based on FBX but transport some additional metadata over using a xml data file Not tested it myself though

I know that they EOL'd the Pano software, which was a pretty surprising to me , as it seemed to be quite a capable package. Anyways, an even better tool IMHO is Pano2VR by gardengnome software. There is a free trial available on their website https://ggnome.com/pano2vr When Kolor announced the EOL of their Panottour software, the devs of Pano2VR even opened a thread about this on their discussion forum https://forum.ggnome.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13068

Have you tried the Autodesk Security Tools for 3ds Max ? Reading up about the official Prune description alone is enough for me to NEVER EVER install this script. The AD securitytools should remove malicious scripts from Max scenes and installation, no need for a third party script to do that Autodesk security tools can be downloaded in the 3ds Max Appstore ( login required ) https://apps.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/en/Detail/Index?id=7342616782204846316&appLang=en&os=Win64