This page provides information on how the latest version of V-Ray handles scenes saved with earlier V-Ray versions (e.g. V-Ray 3.0 or Next) and what differences can be expected in the workflow with some features.
Overview
Some features have been modified in V-Ray 5 and V-Ray 6 compared to previous versions of V-Ray. The following sections provide you with more details on what has been changed to help your transition to using the latest version.
V-Ray 6
User Interface
- The .vrscene export, .vrmesh export, V-Ray scene converter, and V-Ray Bitmap to VRayBitmap Converter tools are removed from the quad menu and moved to the new V-Ray menu.
- The VRayVolumeGrid parameters are moved to the Global switches rollout: Render Setup > V-Ray tab > Global switches rollout (Advanced).
- The Low GPU Thread option is moved from the Utilization rollout of the GPU Performance tab to the Select devices for V-Ray GPU rendering tool and the V-Ray GPU Render Devices Select rollout. The option is also renamed Low priority.
- Starting with V-Ray 6, update 1, the V-Ray Light Lister has been deprecated. Configuration of lights in the scene is done in the Lights tab of the V-Ray Lister.
- Starting with V-Ray 6, update 1, the V-Ray Camera Lister has been deprecated. Configuration of cameras in the scene is done in the Cameras tab of the V-Ray Lister.
Lights
- The Generate diffuse, Diffuse subdivs, and Diffuse multiplier options are removed from the UI.
- In earlier V-Ray versions, matte objects always show the background. Since V-Ray 6, however, the matte objects show the V-Ray Dome light instead of the background when a V-Ray Dome light is present in the scene.
- With V-Ray 6, update 1, instanced lights by VRayInstancer / Forest Pack / Rail Clone, etc. are part of the Light Select RE of the respective source light.
Materials
Environment Variables
- The environment variable VRAY_OPTIX_DENOISER_PLATFORMS has been deprecated. Instead, use the redesigned Select rendering devices for V-Ray GPU for 3ds Max #### to set GPU devices for denoising.
Geometry
- When Corona 8 is installed and a scene saved with the earlier Corona 7 is opened with V-Ray 6, the scene has its Corona Scatter objects converted to the more advanced Chaos Scatter objects. When Corona 7 is used with V-Ray 6, such scenes keep their Corona Scatter objects and respectively - the VRayCoronaScatterMod.
Tools and Utilities
- V-Ray VRmat Converter tool has been deprecated in V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 1. Use the .vrmat exporter from the V-Ray menu instead.
V-Ray 5
User Interface
- The V-Ray Quick Settings are removed from the user interface. If the V-Ray Quick Settings are used in older scenes, they will open with the correct parameters set.
Lights
Materials
Texture
- Since V-Ray 5.0, VRayHDRI texture has been renamed to VRayBitmap texture.
- ACEScg primaries support for Bitmap textures is available.
- The Invert normal option is now presented as Innerocclusion mode in the VRayDirt map.
Geometry
- Force Back Face Culling is hidden from the user interface. It is still available via maxscript.
Render Elements
- VRayLightMix provides adjustment control to the lights in the scene from inside the VFB2.
- The Generate render elements option of VRayDenoiser is hidden from the UI. You can access it via maxscript.
V-Ray Frame Buffer
- A second generation frame buffer, V-Ray Frame Buffer 2 (VFB2), has been introduced with V-Ray 5.0. It is available in 3ds Max 2018 and later. Older 3ds Max versionnly support the previous V-Ray VFB (VFB1).
- Color corrections and settings from VFB1 saved with scenes will not be loaded when using the VFB2 in 3ds Max 2018 or later.
- Color corrections in VFB2 are now placed in layers for better post-processing inside the frame buffer.
- Render Last button is no longer available in VFB2. Instead, you can use the Render button which activates production rendering.
Render Settings
- The legacy sun/sky mode is no longer supported in V-Ray 5.0. The new Improved method is recommended for VRaySky textures.
- Advanced and Expert mode options are removed from the Light Cache rollouts. They are still accessible via maxscript. Most of them will render in V-Ray 5 the way they were saved in V-Ray 3.6. The options in question are:
- Leak prevention
- Filter type
- Filter size
- Bounces
- Use camera path
- Interp. samples for Nearest type filter
- Pre-filter
- Use for glossy rays
- Scale
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- Linear workflow is hidden from the Color Mapping rollouts. It is accessible via maxscript. Scenes using linear workflow will still render with V-Ray 5.0.
- Clamp Output and Clamp Level spinner options are hidden from the UI. They are accessible via maxscript. Scenes using Clamp Output and Clamp Level spinner will still render with V-Ray 5.0 the same way they were saved in V-Ray 3.6.
- Local subdivs are hidden from the user interface for all lights and materials. Older scenes using local subdivs are automatically updated.
- Use Native 3ds Max material swatches by enabling the respective option in Render Setup > Settings > System > Native 3ds Max material swatches.