In addition to today’s launch of Max 2020, for the first time in a long time the team are opening up to discuss what users can expect from future releases.
The new roadmap is organised around 3 different themes: Create, Collaborate and Automate. Targets are fairly broad and do not include specific time frames, but do give us an indication of what we might expect in the future
For example, in the Create category the roadmap mentions new procedural tools including environment layout features based on Bifrost and modernised 3D boolean workflows to improve intersection chamfering.
Also in the Create category is the improvement of core tools and performance including the ability to tear-of viewports and new features to improve keyboard shortcut customisation.
Rendering gets a look in too, with work being carried out on Arnold GPU alongside reviewing its settings so that it can become the default renderer. Simplifying viewport configuration is also on the cards, as is changing the ageing Standard material to the Physical Material as the default.
In the collaborate category is improved rigging interop via live retargeting using HumanIK to make it easier to get animation data in and out of 3DS Max. This initiative might also allow for Populate to drive any character, something that has been requested since the feature was released.
A move to embrace open standards is mentioned with USD and MaterialX mentioned for future inclusion. And on the subject of import/export, the Sketchup importer might see an overhaul. The partnership with Unity looks set to deepen too.
Finally in the Automate category there is mention of updated Baking To Texture tools as well as integration of elements of Recap to provide automated retopology tools. Semi Automated solutions with artist constraints are also on the list.
Finally, Fluids see set to gain Fire and Smoke tools and developers and TDs will welcome Python 3 support and a simplification of the SDK.
You can read the full public roadmap on Autodesk’s blog.
That’s rather surprising and a good move from Autodesk. Let’s hope they keep it up.
Doubt it a lot of what you see are other peoples scripts and work being claim by Autodesk.
I’ve been using Max for a very long time and its been equally as long since Autodesk was purchasing code from other devs and bundling it with the software (and even when they did, most of the code was rewritten to be native as opposed to script). Now Autodesk might do this with some of its other software still, but I cannot speak to that.
Yes I agree. A lot of what they list on there is good, its needed, its forward thinking of a company that has been seen as a bit archaic in regards to sharing information, but most importantly its all items that will help push a lot of power and productivity back into the hands of the 3D artist.
With that said we should hopefully see soon if any of what they listed here comes off as promised (since 3DS Max has been more of a SaaS style release with new features coming out throughout the year in point releases as opposed to being completely tied to the new version launch).
sounds nice, BUT whats the time frame for all this..
Yeah that’s the catch. We aren’t allowed to discuss time since we are a publicly traded company. I wish we could share even more than we do, but I don’t make the rules. 🙂
What would your boss or your stakeholders think if you present them this document as a roadmap?
Probably “That’s pretty good. You’ve padded it out with 90% implemented features or IP that we’ve acquired, or will be acquiring shortly, and minimal UI and default settings tweaks and then made some generalized statements that won’t come back to bite us if those giant investment firms get angry if we miss earnings estimates.”
I’ll be watching this… I have used Max since it’s DOS days (3ds Dos R3 – 4) — and every iteration since. I have recently (2 yrs ago) slowly started to move to blender – and not upgraded Max for the first time in 23 yrs… Through my career I influenced multiple employers to purchase Max, skilled juniors up and made it part of their workflow. The aggressive tactics of Autodesk (and Adobe, etc..) in forcefully taking over competition and killing it (Macromedia, SoftImage, etc…) – without significant end-user benefits apart from spending funds on features that just sells more services —- has influenced my loyalty to these co’s. I believe in capitalism – but it can only work if we can vote with our $$$$$$$. We have to just move our loyalty. Neither the State nor these co’s own us.
At this pace it looks like plan for 10 years. 3dsmax looks like hobby project for one developer..
Haha. All Autodesk unfavourable comments removed. I am ditching this site, it’s biased….
Lol. This is not the 3dsmax 2020 release news page, which is where you still have all the comments you are referring to.
I can assure you, no comments have been removed Artur. We seldom moderate unless comments contain spam, are offensive or attack individuals.
You know that my comments about Autodesk are not exactly pretty, and I’ve been never censored by CGPress, not a single time, not even in the most hard moments where the discussion was heated, and not just me, they have not censored anyone as far as I can see 🙂
This is a true place where freedom of speech is constantly present.