Is anybody still using beta?

[ki_cz]

Just a simple question. It's been a while since I've seen anybody do a comparison on the MW boards, but I'm caught wondering if the RC/1/1.2/1.3ab/1.2accb22 versions have matched the beta in quality? I remember back in the day I was interested in maxwell because of the inherent simplicity of the program, but now it really looks almost as complicated as anything else, especially the material system. Also, when the first versions came out, there were a lot of complaints that the quality simply didn't match.

 

So my question is, is anybody still using the beta version, and if so, why? What would it take to get you to go to the newer plugins?

[superbad]

The comparisons seem to have died out, and it seems most people accept that the current version has the "same" quality as the beta. But if you go back and look in the gallery at the beta images, there is a huge amount of stuff that blows away almost anything that's been posted in the last 12 months. Maybe it's that all the really good users have left, or maybe it's that the software is different, I don't know.

 

Some of the images done for that interior contest a few months ago were really good, but stuff of that quality seldom gets posted these days.

[Fran]

Stack! Studio uses the alpha. But I think it's because they have a proprietary in-house workflow that they prefer to stay with. From the looks of their work, I'd stay with it too.

[ki_cz]

Hi Fran. You've been pretty vocal on the Maxwell forums, have you upgraded to the newest version? Are you happy with it?

[Fran]

Hi Dave,

 

I did some renders with V1.1 not long after it was released. I haven't used it lately though. From what I understand, the plug-ins are greatly improved.

 

Between the Beta and V1.1 - now that Maxwell is more correct, I don't like it much. It's my personal opinion, not meant with any malice or ill-will. It's just the way things are for me. The plug-in can be as wicked as anything, but it's the engine that does the rendering.