This page provides information on how the latest version of V-Ray handles scenes saved with previous versions of V-Ray.
Overview
V-Ray 6 adds a number of rendering optimization features. However, for compatibility reasons, some features and workflows have been adjusted and are discussed in detail below.
V-Ray for Rhino is not forward-compatible, meaning projects done with V-Ray 6 are not guaranteed to work with V-Ray 5 or older versions. If a project is opened using an older V-Ray version than the one it was created with, a prompt message will offer wiping all V-Ray data to ensure file stability.
First-time use
When opening Rhino for the first time right after installing V-Ray, some or all assets of the scene you load may be missing.
If this happens, ensure V-Ray is set as the current renderer and then close Rhino. All assets load correctly from then on.
Lights
The Portal Light option in V-Ray Rectangle light is now a legacy option and is no longer exposed in the UI. Rectangle lights in files saved with previous V-Ray versions and this option enabled will still have it available. Regardless, for best performance consider disabling it and using the Adaptive Dome Light option instead.
Materials
Starting with V-Ray 6, the Fresnel formula is now calculated more precisely. As a result, some materials, mainly metallic ones, may render slightly differently (with more physically-accurate reflections).
Starting with V-Ray 6, the V-Ray Preset Material Library is part of the Chaos Cosmos Browser. Materials that have already been downloaded with any earlier V-Ray version remain unchanged and can still be loaded as a custom folder.
Enscape Compatibility
Scenes set up using Enscape will now render in V-Ray. Materials and even the Enscape assets will be automatically handled by V-Ray providing a great starting point when transitioning from the Enscape design stage to the high-end visualization in V-Ray. For more information, go to Enscape Compatibility.
Special Objects
Starting with V-Ray 5.20.01, V-Ray special objects (Fur/Clipper/Displacement/Mesh Light/Scatter) are not deleted from the Asset Editor, when the last item with the corresponding special object assigned to it, is deleted from the viewport.
Grasshopper
Loading Rig components from projects created with V-Ray 6.10.00 into newer versions, requires parameter rewiring. In V-Ray V-Ray6.10.01 some input and output parameters of the Grasshopper Rig Light components have been rearranged. Due to this reason, when a project created with the previous version is opened, the parameters appear to not be wired properly. In such cases, rewire the parameters manually for proper project performance.
Migration from Previous Versions
V-Ray 5 for Rhino licenses also work with V-Ray Next, allowing anyone who purchases an upgrade, to complete unfinished projects using V-Ray Next if needed.
Please note that customer support is available only for V-Ray 6 and V-Ray 5. Earlier versions are no longer supported.
Materials and other V-Ray data saved with V-Ray older than v2.0 will not be read.
If you need to migrate an outdated scene, you will need to perform a 2-step migration - first one to V-Ray 3.6 and a second one to V-Ray 5.
To do so, first visit download.chaos.com, enable the Show older versions checkbox, and download V-Ray 3.6.
Then, uninstall your current version of V-Ray for Rhino and install v 3.6 instead.
Open your outdated project, inspect the scene materials through the V-Ray Asset Editor, and save the project. This will trigger automatic V-Ray data migration. Repeat the steps for V-Ray 5.
Note that in order to work with V-Ray 5 builds, you need to have the proper License Server. For more information about the License Server, see Installing the License Server.