Charging for render nodes

[JabbaTheNut]

No they didnt. They're not forcing you to upgrade.

Of course they're not forcing me to upgrade. However, when I decided to purchase, it was with a longer term strategy in mind. For all of the software I purchase (Maya, Mudbox, ZBrush, VRay, etc.), I expect to upgrade to keep up with technological changes. I do not think I am alone in this.

I don't have an issue with them charging more. They have a great product and offer great customer service (based on my experience). I simply believe that it would have been appropriate to tip their hat (so to speak) to their existing customers to ease their transition into this. Their new proposition is not cheap. For those that had built out render farms using VRay, their costs to continue to advance just skyrocketed. Some recognition of that by Chaos would have been appreciated. Instead, it is leaving a bad taste. I think that the general reaction to this can be considered anecdotal evidence of that fact.

[lgrohs]

I would agree that Chaos Group needs to adjust its pricing as market/internal conditions change (I fully support this). However, I take issue with the way they implemented it. Because this is a paradigm shift in the way they price their render nodes (not just an upgrade from 2.0 to 3.0), they should give more consideration to their existing customers.

I think the way the new licensing/ upgrade options have been presented may be causing some confusion?

I think the easiest way to explain it is we're offering 3 choices for upgrades:
There are bundles that include 1, 6, and 11 render nodes, depending on the customer's needs.

We've also created a V-Ray 3.0 Pricing/Licensing Q&A here: http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/vray3_beta.html#tab5
which hopefully will help clear up some of the questions.

If more questions come up, we'll be sure to add to the list, and if anyone has specific questions not in the Q&A,
feel free to email licensing@chaosgroup.com directly.

Thanks,
Lon

[Preisler]

Of course it will not be defunct; you can continue using your 2.x licenses without upgrading for as long as you want and we will continue supporting V-Ray 2.x until V-Ray 4.0 comes out a few years down the road.

Best regards,
Vlado

Woooow! Breaking News!
First official statement from Chaos Group on Vray 4.0 - only a few years waiting for this release! - Let the rumors start now for what we can expect in this release!

[Donald2B]

Woooow! Breaking News!
First official statement from Chaos Group on Vray 4.0 - only a few years waiting for this release! - Let the rumors start now for what we can expect in this release!

There will officially be a "make this render look awesome!" button!

I'm already saving up for Vray 4.0 as we speak.

[Morbid Angel]

I actually wish there was just one slider - quality 0-1, where 1 is superior render quality at best possible speed

[Neilg]

No doubt we'll still have people starting threads asking what position the slider should be in. Better make it a checkbox, too many options otherwise.

[Donald2B]

I still feel that is too complicated. Literally, just push the button and that's all there is.

[glorybound]

Then, Revit Architecture would be for you.

[Morne]

Any chance we're getting some sample scenes with 3.0?

...and also a "reset all to defaults" button?

And on the note of defaults, there seems to be a bug in max with the maxstart file it seems. It will use the maxstart if you close the splash window with the recent files, but if you click on new or go in to file and then new, it bypasses the maxstart file...

[vlado]

Any chance we're getting some sample scenes with 3.0?

We can probably do that as part of the docs. Are there particular types of scenes that you are interested in?

...and also a "reset all to defaults" button?

For the main renderer? It can be done, certainly... one more button, but if you think it's useful, no problem.

And on the note of defaults, there seems to be a bug in max with the maxstart file it seems. It will use the maxstart if you close the splash window with the recent files, but if you click on new or go in to file and then new, it bypasses the maxstart file...

I don't think File > New does a completely new scene, at least it's never worked for me that way. I usually use File > Reset.

Best regards,
Vlado

[vlado]

For those that had built out render farms using VRay, their costs to continue to advance just skyrocketed. Some recognition of that by Chaos would have been appreciated. Instead, it is leaving a bad taste. I think that the general reaction to this can be considered anecdotal evidence of that fact.

We are willing to work with everyone to try to come to point that's acceptable for both sides. Other than that, I would the first to agree that this transition could have been handled in a much more graceful way.

Best regards,
Vlado

[Morne]

How many render nodes do we get with the BETA per seat?
(I know when released it's just 1 - just wanted to check if we can abuse the BETA in some heavy tests with DR)

[vlado]

I believe as many as you want, but I will double-check to be sure.

Best regards,
Vlado

[urbanstudio]

I do agree with Jabba, we are in the same situation here. We run a 35+ renderfarm node. Make the math, to upgrade a tool which was designed a few years ago as a +999 node per seat and now, we are at +5, well, if I want to upgrade to use the new 3.0, I will have to ask my boss a check with a 6000 more or less on it. Not going to happen soon. Even though CHAOSGROUP was dealing in two different ways regarding Max and Maya. Maya always been way less nodes per seats then Max, but we thought it was an Autodesk rule to shape Maya ecosystem. Sounds it was not.
Others softwares offer unlimited nodes, like Houdini for example. I understand the reasoning behind it, but still, not really commercially well made. Just my 2 cents. at the least doing a bigger fork or bracket for farm owner would be a good thing, the one who are already Vray users I mean. Like Upgrade for full seats + 50nodes >> 300 + 2500

Whatever, it is what it is.

[^Lele^]

The new pricing is a poor decision by Chaos Group. I suspect it will drive many people to using a pirated version of VRay, to the point where they will be making less money from licences than with the current model.

Please post a link to a usable, cracked vray (sarcasm.).
As far as i know, to this day, it's still uncracked (without acceleration structures and variable per-frame brightness, that's not counting as one).
I personally think reducing the choice of VRay as main renderer to its cost is diminutive to say the least.
That chaos may need a clearer outline (sorry if it's been posted already) of the new sales policy may be a given, but seriously fingerindustries, if your issue is purely down to the money you may have to shell for your choice tool in the past few years, and for a few more to come, you may find others offer cheaper alternatives (blender, anyone?).
To be then left looking from the outside in at the slew of enhancements and time-saving changes implemented for the next release (Chaosgroup ain't Vlado and Peter anymore. Because we are SO many...).
Just my 2c.