3ds Max 2018 sneak peaks?

[KristofferHelander]

3ds max 2018 is scheduled for release by April 12. 

"With the release of Autodesk® 3ds Max 2018® software scheduled on April 12, 2017..."

Source: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Change...

But where are the sneak peak videos or articles about the upcoming features that usually are posted in advance to showcase the new version?

[irishman_team_kilber]

Shame autodesk won't update their AEC extended features instead of updating their other features

[Isaac_Zuniga]

I hate to be the negative person here, but so far, the only thing that Autodesk has let the public have a "sneak peek" about 3ds Max 2018 is the lack of Mental Ray and network rendering options.

I'm hoping that these are not the only changes that have happened in 3ds Max 2018, or that they were the most "major" updates, because then that's going to upset a lot of people. (I was only looking towards the Windows 10 stability this release.)

I think it's best for us to wait out the next 11 days, because I know Autodesk will not stay silent forever before it's release date.

[stephen.d.green]

I'm expecting some kind of fluids.

I'm sure I saw a hint somewhere from a user probably on the beta about a long asked for feature, and it would be one way to try to get people off their backs.

That said, if it happens I think it will be basic and still lagging behind the Maya implementation, and too little, too late in the light of the subs price hikes.

The only known new features will be whatever was added in the last extension.

[Isaac_Zuniga]

You think it'll be fluids? It had better be a full-blown system if they want to "make up" for the lack of network rendering without paying 2 grand. I know some people will still think that the lack of network rendering will overshadow whatever else is to come, had it be underwhelming.

I really do hope and wish the best for 3ds Max, but the lack of network rendering is quite major. At this point, I'm just hoping for Windows 10 compatibility, as that was hardly present with 3ds Max 2017.

(I'm questioning the validity of them saying that 3ds Max 2017 is "Windows 10 compatible"...)

[Anonymous]

I just hope for the bug fixes.

[stephen.d.green]

I think it will have something fluidy, but not sure about a 'full blown system'.

My guess will be a start, in an attempt to keep people hanging on while subscription prices increase while the feature matures.

[dgorsman]

---

@stephen.d.green wrote:

I think it will have something fluidy, but not sure about a 'full blown system'.

My guess will be a start, in an attempt to keep people hanging on while subscription prices increase while the feature matures.

---

Anything that large will only be a "starter" - there's just too much to do for such things.  Plus, I can guarantee that if they did hold off until they had something considered full-featured there would be an outcry over how "this" "that" and "the other" were implemented wrong, have no use, why wasn't "something else" added instead,, etc., and then have to start again from the ground up.

Getting just a bit out there at a time allows it to live in the wild which is important, because as we all know some problems don't show up until users start doing things with it in the real world.

[Isaac_Zuniga]

I think it'll be best to wait and see what Autodesk has in store for us in a week; speculations off of rumors or unofficial claims will most likely lead to a false sense of security.

In other words: "Do not listen to the rumors, they can be wrong. Take what you hear with a grain of salt or else you may have your 'dreams crushed' when they do not turn out to be true."

[stephen.d.green]

Hah, what false sense of security?

I'm not relying on AD for anything.

They've already removed one renderer and the replacement has no free network rendering.

They've also announced that they're going to ramp up the price of maintenance subs by 38% over the next three years unless I give up my perpetual licence.

I have PhoenixFD which covers me for the limited fluid sims I need - I have a detached view of what AD does, or new versions of Max have. My enthusiasm for the product and goodwill towards AD decisions evaporated around Max 2013.

[Isaac_Zuniga]

Well everyone, here it is: 

The last 7 days (well, now it's less than 7 days) until 3ds Max 2018 is released!

Out of curiosity, do you think they'll have it ready next Wednesday morning, or will it be like last year's release, late in the afternoon?

[stephen.d.green]

I'll be surprised if the announcement of the release isn't made from cut out letters from a newspaper.

[grillo_domenico1]

this is really the first time. No sneakpeaks. Nothing. this is not good....

[grillo_domenico1]

this is the first time. this is not good.....

[RGhost77]

What do you want, ship moves without captain ... https://autodesk.taleo.net/careersection/adsk_gen/jobdetail.ftl?job=17WD22411

[Isaac_Zuniga]

I bet the "major" change in this release is the fact that they spent most of their time on Arnold and getting rid of Mental Ray.

I'll be surprised if that's not the showcase feature...

[stephen.d.green]

Well, I haven't seen much about Maya 2018 if that's any consolation.

Arnold 5 has been teased, whether it will be ready for tomorrow I'm not sure.

http://www.cgchannel.com/2017/03/sneak-peek-arnold-5/

[KristofferHelander]

Well, tomorrow is, supposedly, the day! We'll see what happens . . . unless they changed the date or the previous information regarding release date was accidently wrong.

[Isaac_Zuniga]

I'm pretty sure they meant April 21st. April 12th is quite a bit too early to expect new Autodesk products.

But hey, I'd like to see them prove me wrong; it is rather suspiciously quiet on their end though...

(Although, I'm concerned with the potential of a repeat of 3ds Max 2017, them rushing the program out the door and leaving a lot of things untested, unstable, and unpolished...)

[senorpablo]

Got an email from Autodesk saying it's ready for download.