Maxwell Render v2.7.20 Release

neets · 16 Nov 2012, 17:51

Hey everyone,

I recently downloaded the newest update/release from Maxwell Render: 2.7.20 and I've noticed that rendering time has been severely affected. The noise issue is unbelievable in comparison to the previous version. Has anyone else noticed this??

Anita

jason_maranto · 17 Nov 2012, 10:34

Are you talking about the draft engine? I've not noticed anything specific with the production engine, but I do not do interiors very often, and they tend to be the hardest to clear.

Best,
Jason.

neets · 17 Nov 2012, 12:31

Hi Jason,

I've moved up in the world now, I use the full rendering suite with the plug-in for Sketchup!!! I've been using it for a few months and when I initially downloaded it, it was version 2.7.10. They recently released a patch: v 2.7.20 and I updated the application accordingly. And it just isn't the same. The same lighting conditions that I used in v 2.7.10 which were great arent' rendering the same in v 2.7.20. I've contacted them and asked for a link to the 2.7.10 download. Just to make sure I'm not going insane and imagining it.

Question: when I'm setting a section plane in SU and importing the scene into Maxwell Render it's rendering an external wall instead of the view of the section plane internallly - any idea why this is happening? When I've managed to get the proper section in Maxwell to render it's throwing the lighting conditions off. For example, if I've inserted a section plane it's creating more natural light where that wall was removed - in reality that sunlight wouldn't be there. How do I correct this?

Thanks
Anita

olishea · 17 Nov 2012, 13:50

Because the section plane is only visible within SU. It hasn't actually cut your wall in half. Maxwell will not see the plane.

There is a plugin called zorro2 which allows you to actually cut your model along the section plane so it can be rendered. Save your work as a copy before you do this though!

jason_maranto · 17 Nov 2012, 13:55

I've got a copy of the Maxwell 2.7.10 patch installs (but not the full version) -- PM me if you want to get them from me.

As far as I know sections planes are still not supported in Maxwell outside of the "Z-Clipping" plane. However you can use a section plane to actually cut away the geometry in Sketchup... what I would do is to set the "cut-away" geometry to a group assigned "Hidden from Camera".

Best,
Jason.

neets · 17 Nov 2012, 14:12

Hmmmm....this is confusing because I've been able to use section planes in SU and import to Maxwell Render many, many times in the past and it has worked. All of the images I've uploaded here had a section plane in them. If I'm rendering a small space I need to section plane it to get as much in the rendered image as possible. You can definitely use section planes and import the section planed scene into Maxwell Render but for some strange reason it is playing up. The images below were section planed and imported to Maxwell Render.

Jason, thanks for your offer but it would probably be better to install the full 2.7.10 version?

Thanks
Anita

jason_maranto · 17 Nov 2012, 14:39

I know this is a major new feature of the new plugin for Indigo -- which is made by Whaat, who also makes Zorro, so it is a natural fit... but AFAIK there has never been any official direct support in the Maxwell plugin for SketchUp clipping planes (that doesn't mean it wasn't in there at some point in time as an undocumented alpha feature).

Best,
Jason.

olishea · 17 Nov 2012, 14:40

appears like its the new version then. i've only encountered section plane issues in early rendering apps, seems they can all cope with them now.

Rich O Brien · 17 Nov 2012, 14:42

@unknownuser said:

If I'm rendering a small space I need to section plane it to get as much in the rendered image as possible. You can definitely use section planes and import the section planed scene into Maxwell Render but for some strange reason it is playing up. The images below were section planed and imported to Maxwell Render.

Are you saying that in these images there is an obstruction to the camera that the section is removing?

jason_maranto · 17 Nov 2012, 14:46

Both of those images could be easily done using the Z-Clipping features of Maxwell...

Best,
Jason.

Rich O Brien · 17 Nov 2012, 15:05

Some tests....

...as far as I know only Indigo does it. I'd be really interested to know if Maxwell has enabled this.

neets · 17 Nov 2012, 15:15

Eek!!! I've caused a little bit of confusion!! Maxwell Render will not display an entire object that has been section planed like your images above. But if I section plane a scene and move the camera in SU just in front of it, I will get more in the scene. I can then import to Maxwell Render. My problem is that sometimes Maxwell Render is assuming that this is a window and is letting more natural light in. In reality, this scene would not have natural sunlight coming from that direction because of the wall. It's upsetting the reality of the scene. Unless of course I do a night time/emitter scene. Any ideas how I combat this problem?

Thanks
Anita

jason_maranto · 17 Nov 2012, 15:26

Use Maxwell Z-Clipping instead of SketchUp section planes for the type of scene you have shown -- this works, always has.

Best,
Jason.