Create normal maps from 2D grayscale images with a new bump utility node.Create a wider range of procedural materials with new node patterns-wavelines, voronoi, simplex noise, and brick.Get more shading options and better shader interoperability between 3ds Max, AutodeskВ® MayaВ® software, and AutodeskВ® Maya LT TM software. Enjoy faster data transfer and load times, with the ability to export and load only selected geometry.Get more from your workstation, with highly efficient use of memory and disk space.Move complex data through a pipeline in a manageable form: complex animated and simulated data is distilled into a non-procedural, application-independent set of baked geometric results.Work with production-proven technology, co-developed by Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc.View massive datasets in the Nitrous Viewport, and transfer them more easily through your production pipeline with new Alembic support.Easily transfer your models to and from certain other packages that support OpenSubdiv using AutodeskВ® FBXВ® asset exchange technology and achieve a consistent appearance.Д¬oincidentally, the number one request UserVoice was created in part by another top uservoice request.Create complex topology in less time, by taking advantage of efficient crease modeling workflows with CreaseSet modifier and Crease Explorer.Reduce the guesswork when animating models and help shorten production times, with efficient smooth surface representation.Get faster in-viewport performance for meshes with high subdivision levels by taking advantage of both parallel CPU and GPU architectures.Visualize your model interactively without the need to render for a better WYSIWYG experience, greater productivity, and more accurate realization of creative intent.Here are the new features in a bit more detail:Д®fficiently represent subdivision surfaces using OpenSubdiv libraries, open-sourced by Pixar and incorporating technology from Microsoft Research. And, with enhancements to ShaderFX, 3ds Max offers expanded shading options together with better shader interoperability. In addition, support for Alembic helps you more easily move complex data through pipelines.

So what does Extension 1 bring? Support for OpenSubdiv libraries - the top feature request on User Voice - offers new crease workflows and better in-viewport performance for high-resolution models, so that you can model and animate with greater efficiency. Well, like the video says, it all started today, at SIGGRAPH 2014 in Vancouver, were we just announced Extension 1 for 3ds Max 2015.

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