Vray and Vector Maps

[VelvetElvis]

Has anyone else seen an incredibly noticeable slowdown when calculating light maps and using vector maps in Max 2014? The slow down occurs during LC+Imap, then renders fine in view except when it has to be calculated in reflections/refractions. Does this have to do with how vector maps and their resolutions are handled in Max 2014?

[vlado]

Does this have to do with how vector maps and their resolutions are handled in Max 2014?

I would assume so. The vector map works by rasterizing the file into bitmap tiles. There is also probably some memory cache to hold already rasterized tiles - perhaps there is an option to control this and give it more RAM?

Best regards,
Vlado

[VelvetElvis]

Thanks for the quick reply Vlado. Would you recommend not using vector maps then?

[trixian]

You should be fine with any maps that are "optimized" to a certain degree. There will be some hiccups and the occasional stuttering during rendering, but they seem to work fine for the most part here. The filtering/mip-maps are more of a concern IMHO (evident when viewing the maps at a glancing angle, or with an animated camera zooming in/out).

There is a memory/cache control, but I have yet to figure out if it actually does anything. I have changed it from minimum to maximum without it noticeably affecting render time or the hiccups.