Introducing OpenPBR as the new default material, Vertex Weld Modifier support for splines, animation updates, and more.
Autodesk has released a new version of 3ds Max, its flagship professional 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software, featuring new tools and improved workflows. A key highlight is the introduction of OpenPBR as the new default material, an open-source shading model developed in collaboration with Adobe, designed to streamline studio pipelines and improve personal workflows.
When working with splines and applying the Vertex Weld Modifier, any open vertices (vertices without two connected segments) can be welded together. This improvement allows you to easily fix open splines, combine an array of splines into a single segment, and more, all while maintaining the spline's editability, renderability, and procedural nature.
Additionally, the new Preserve Stack Position toggle lets you return to the modifier previously selected for an object, even after selecting a new one. Searching for objects in the Create section of the Command Panel is also easier now.
3ds Max 2026 boosts performance with optimizations to the Array Modifier, Boolean Modifier, Conform Modifier, Displacement Modifier, and Max Fluids for faster processing. It also brings animation enhancements to viewport performance and improvements to CAT and Biped workflows. There are new OSL maps, a 3-point method for creating spline rectangles with better control, upgrades in retopology and Flow Retopology, and various other small improvements.
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