http://pressreleases.autodesk.com/index.php?s=press\_releases&item=383<%2Ftd>
So, will Vray work with the Design variant if it has no included SDK?
It’s february2008!!!
I hate to say it, but it’s all about earning money for nothing if you are vray user and if MR then i think they only rename the A&D materials. ..and still no loading of older max files!
haha what a bunch of marketing bs…
V-Ray works with both 3ds Max flavors (the SDK is available through the ADN developers program). Plugins require a recompile to work with 3ds Max 2009 though - a recompile of V-Ray will be available together with or shortly after the official release of 3ds Max (Design) 2009.
Best regards,
Vlado
2010 should be out by October :roll:.
No kidding! What’s with the accelerated release schedule? I just got 2008 rolled out. Why’s this not 2008.5 or something? And why are both the same price? I don’t get the new version thing.
I think the main purpose was to align the release with that of other Autodesk products. Another release this year does not sound very likely (but I know nothing for sure).
The differences between the two versions are small - the Design version has some new lighting analysis tools, while the regular version does not (but this is a gap that V-Ray can luckily fill in 
) I also think the different versions have different start up defaults.
Best regards,
Vlado
Do these lighting analysis tools work with Vray?
Nope - they are mostly geared specifically towards mental ray. We will provide equivalent functionality for V-Ray, regardless of which 3ds Max flavor you choose.
Best regards,
Vlado
You know I think it was around when max 5/6 came out and they said that Viz was being fazed out, so I payed the addition money (about twice as much) to upgrade to full blown max, guess what,… Viz is still going.
And now this, I am still working on 9, although 2008 is sitting here Its just so painfull to upgrade.
It’s a shame that Vray will work with both because that would of made my decision alot easier:)
the new versions of max are interesting.
Being a beta user I cant say too much. Just make sure you pick the right flavor.
And here is the problem…I was sold Viz years ago because I was told this would be perfect for me and have since wanted max instead.
These products appear the same today, but I’m concerned that they will not stay like that! I don’t want to end up in the same boat by choosing the wrong software! 
According to my supplier, the Design version will be the replacement for VIZ, which will eventually disappear. Alot of VIZ users (like tct70) wanted the same modifiers and functions as the Max users.
Damn it I have to choose?? Hows that gonna work for subscribers anyway?
So the Design version is identical to the “normal” version except it includes an SDK and the exposure thingy? (neither of which is of any use to me)
Hmm, most of our struggle here in the office was on reorganizing our workflow from max 8 to 2008 in the past four months, we skipped max 9. Well, guess we should’ve waited a tad longer, and max 2008 has been nothing but a pain in the a** so far so to say.
Seriously thinking about moving to XSI… with a development policy like this, autodesk lost much of our respect.
Best regards,
A.
As a Vray user, there seems no difference to me between the products at this time, except the SDK which I will not need myself.
This is what concerns me about jacksc02 comment!
Those on subscription get Both flavors of Max 3ds Max 2009 and 3ds Max Design 2009. However, you can’t install both versions side by side.. yet. If you have 3ds Max Design 2009 installed, but you need access to the SDK, you need to uninstall it and install 3ds Max 2009.
Thox
Actually those on subscription can cross-grade. And if you have Design then you can ge the SDK by enrolling in the ADN (Autodesk Developer Network). I doubt you will ever be able to install them side by side, but I love to be wrong! Anyway, since essentially they are the same programs you shouldn’t really need them both!
Josh.
Vlado, you say Vray will have an equivalent lighting analysis tool. Will the USGBC accept it’s output for LEED Building accreditation?
Do you think they will have fixed the Max 2008 bugs in 2009?.. Considering they still have spline bugs remaining from Max 8, probably not…