Version 2.1.0 Release Notes

Version 2.1.0 is an all-new Maxwell Render plugin for SketchUp, which offers a new optimized user-interface and much improved MXS export performance. Following is a short list of some of the new features and improvements.

User Interface

Version 2.1.0 introduces several new user-interface features:

• A native and uniquely intuitive, material editing experience. Using the plugin's integrated material editor, the methodology of which is brand new in the Maxwell Render world, it is possible to set up Maxwell materials without leaving the SketchUp environment, and it can be done with minimal effort. When a very specialized material cannot be built using the plugin's unique material interface, it is possible to link the material to a fully-custom MXM file, built with Maxwell Render's own MXED material editor.
• Simplified and centralized export and scene management. Where previous versions exported MXS files via SketchUp's Export 3D dialog with export parameters being specified in the dialog's Options window. The new plugin exposes all scene parameters in its always-available Scene Manager window, with export and rendering being accomplished by a single click on one of the plugin's toolbar buttons.
• Simplified camera setup. The plugin implements dedicated focal distance and depth-of-field tools, which are available from its toolbar. A camera's output may be linked to the physical SketchUp viewport dimensions, or it may specify a custom output resolution, the aspect ratio and perspective of which can be shown in SketchUp's viewport.

MXS Export

Version 2.1.0 features much improved MXS export, in terms of both functionality and performance.

• The plugin provides very deep support for the interpretation of SketchUp Component Instances as Maxwell Render instances. A Component Instance's definition will only ever be exported one time as a physical mesh, regardless of how many other Component Instances may refer to it. This can cut the memory required to export any given model to a fraction of what it otherwise would be, and also substantially reduces the time required to export.
• Support for SketchUp UVs has been improved. In cases where no UVs are supplied by SketchUp, the plugin will generate reasonable UVs of its own.
• Perspective matching between the SketchUp view and its associated Maxwell Render camera has been improved. It now matches in all cases, where previous plugins would only match when the SketchUp view had its aspect ratio indicators enabled.
• The plugin now offers a Pack & Go option, which collects all referenced files (i.e. textures, HDRIs, etc.) during export, and writes their paths in the exported MXS file as relative.  This makes it much easier to transport MXS scenes for rendering on other machines.
• A new Export Hidden Layers option has been added, which allows you to place high-poly geometry on a hidden layer in SketchUp, yet still have it exported in the MXS file. The purpose of such strategy is to help maintain SketchUp´s responsiveness.
• The plugin implements a unique Ground Plane option which generates a ground plane in the output MXS. The color of the plane can either be inferred from SketchUp's settings, set to a custom color, or even a custom MXM file.