Arnold renderer, GPU is not being used?

[bioclone_ax45]

I though this would be automatic, as in the past the program recognized my GPU automatically (1080 gtc) so I expected it would be used on the rendering, but now I am on hour 11 o rendering a single 2k frame (and with lots of noise, even using like 3 times the ray options that comes by default) but then I just noticed now that My GPU usage is 0% on the rendering... I am missing something?

Sorry if it sounds like a dumb question, I dont have too much knowledge about rendering at all.

*Also, tips about reduce the noise are welcome, I upload the rendering (uncompleted) so you may see better what noise I have.

NOTE: I am using only Arnold lights, no other photometic lights at all, I know that may increase render times or give some problems.

[bioclone_ax45]

Hello again, could someone help? I know Vray is way more common but somebody has to know about this...

I am using the 2018 3dsmax version, I did notice that in theory I should have a menu on "system" that should allow me to choose the GPU rendering, but I dont have this.. I heard that It may require an upgrade of MaxtoA plugin, but Im not sure on how I should do this as It comes by default with the program... can someone explain me how to achieve this process? or Im forced to directly move into a newer 3ds version such the 2020 edition?

[Stephen.Blair]

Most likely, you are forced to update your MAXtoA version. Are you using the version that shipped with 3ds Max 2018? That's pretty old, a lot has changed since then...

[bioclone_ax45]

Yeah, I ussually only update programs when Im forced (when im learning about them) as sometimes the interface may get very different... I do self learn from multiple sources so that is mostly the reason... I already "suffered" a bit in the past when the 3ds max UI lost some colors on the icons what made me much easier to recognice instinctively.

I did checked the Arnold page and seems like the oldest version supported 4 the new versions are the 2019, so I guess its time to jump for the 2020 edition... I hope it fits my SSD as my storage there is very limited...

thx 4 the reply!