Maxwell software package Maxwell Render includes three different applications: the render engine (MXCL.EXE), the standalone graphical application “Maxwell Studio” (MXST.EXE) and the standalone material editor with browser (MXED.EXE) for the plug-ins.
Maxwell Render™ 1.5 User Manual is published exclusively by Solid Publishing. Manual Design by Solid Design and Next Limit. This manual has been set in Futura BT and Arial type faces. This icon will indicate an enhancement, new feature or function in Maxwell Render™ 1.5
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MXST: Maxwell Render Studio, a complete environment to import geometry, create and edit materials and sending the full scene for rendering to MXCL. The manual is divided into five major parts: General info about Maxwell Render. However, the parameters and features described in MXST chapter can be used as reference for plugin parameters as well. Additional tutorials and further tips will be available elsewhere note: Plugins specific information can be found with the installation package of each plugin. The manual should be used as a reference guide. no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed for commercial purposes. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means digital, mechanical, including photography, photocopying, filming, recording, video recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, or shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published without prior permission in writing from the publisher. No part of this electronic document can be altered or changed to create an alternative version. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. All products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. NEXT LIMIT assumes no responsibility or liability for errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this documentation. The content of this manual is provided for informational use only and is subject to change without notice. IN NO EVENT SHALL Next Limit BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE. The Maxwell Render software is provided ‘AS-IS’ AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Warranty and Copyright This documentation is Copyright 2007, Next Limit SL.
I do have a soft spot for vray.The light simulator Maxwell Render 1.5 User Manual
If I were to start a company on my own I'd look at Redshift first then either vray/arnold/maxwell. Proof of the pudding is in the eating so here's our work: We have a good relationship with the Maxwell crew, who's sister company works on Realflow. Hard/impossible to do NPR rendering (no 'surface shader'/'solid color')Īgain, really slow (especially if you have SSS, FFS) Shitty IDs (AOVs are nice, but you can't do IDs like in vray for instance) Huge-ass files if you use the ability to start and stop your rendersĬinema-like camera language. No procedural shading (inside maya - Maxwell studio the standalone application has a few procedural shaders) which means you need to UV and texture everything So you need beefy CPUs and it's going to cost you a lot of cycles They've just put out a GPU accelerated version, but results aren't exactly similar.
Very reliable (no GI flicking, NaN problems)Ībility to stop and restart renders to make it better (what maxwell calls 'SLs'), which means you get a fairly good initial idea of how it will lookĬinema-like camera language (ISO, Frame Shutters)Įasy layered shading system, really good looking metals + online library of shaders free to use It was a cheaper alternative to vray/arnold and we do spend a lot less time debugging scenes, here are the pros and cons IMO: (we use maxwell with maya, so variations may apply to Rhino)Īmazing quality in terms of shading and lighting Our studio (more like the one i work at right now) is 100% Maxwell.