Chaos Group has revealed an extensive upgrade to its V-Ray 1.6 for SketchUp solution in open beta.
Users will now have an enhanced visualization workflow and render quality via V-Ray RT, V-Ray Dome Light, and streamline scene complexity via V-Ray Proxy.
As part of this update, V-Ray 1.6 for SketchUp will offer architects and designers access to V-Ray technologies that accelerate the creative process. V-Ray Proxies users can now achieve exceptionally high levels of detail and modeling complexity while efficiently rendering massive amounts of geometry quickly and easily. Proxies can also be shared between V-Ray versions, giving architects the ability to share models between 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage, and Rhino.
The new version offers rendering engine updates via V-Ray RT. The CPU-supported rendering engine streamlines scene setup and provides instant feedback directly in SketchUp for quicker design, materials, and lighting decisions.
With Dome Light, users can create artifact-free image-based lighting using importance sampling of HDR images, greatly optimizing light tracing and GI precision. Sphere Light enables the creation of spherically shaped area lights. Lights can also be used as components.
Meanwhile, V-Ray Proxy manages scene memory and efficiently renders large amounts of geometry to increase detail and complexity in scenes. V-Ray Proxy objects are dynamically loaded and unloaded at render time.
The free open beta of V-Ray 1.6 for SketchUp is available for SketchUp 8 on both the Windows and OS X platforms - 32-bit only. It can be downloaded right now by applying for the public beta program on Chaos Group's website. Pricing for V-Ray 1.6 for SketchUp will remain unchanged ($800). The upgrade price from V-Ray 1.49 for SketchUp or lower is $320. Users who purchased V-Ray for SketchUp between April 15, 2013 and the official release date will be eligible for a free upgrade.