Welcome to the 3D Studio Max Helio Plugin documentation for cloud rendering! This guide will provide you with information on what features are supported when using Helio Plugin for cloud-based rendering, helping you make the most of your rendering workflow.
The Helio Plugin is a powerful tool designed to bridge your 3ds Max scene with the Helio cloud rendering platform. This plugin simplifies the process of collecting assets and submitting your scenes for rendering, providing a seamless workflow between your 3ds Max environment and the Helio cloud.
Whether you’re rendering complex scenes or working with intricate 3D assets, Helio ensures your process is fast, efficient, and easy to manage. The Helio Plugin supports some of the most popular render engines and integrates with a wide range of 3ds Max plugins to ensure compatibility with your existing workflows.
Key Features of the Helio Plugin
Cloud Rendering Integration
The Helio Plugin acts as a bridge between 3ds Max and the Helio Client. With just a few clicks, you can transfer your scene from 3ds Max to the cloud and take full advantage of Helio's robust rendering capabilities.
Asset Collection and Submission
The plugin automatically collects all the necessary assets, textures, and dependencies required for rendering. Once your scene is prepared, you can easily submit it to the Helio client for processing.
Seamless Workflow
The integration is designed to ensure you don’t face any disruption in your workflow. Once installed, the plugin sits neatly in your 3ds Max interface, allowing you to manage your scene and render settings without leaving the application.
Render Engine Support
The Helio Plugin currently supports two of the most popular and powerful rendering engines for 3ds Max:
Chaos Corona: Known for its speed and realism, Corona delivers high-quality results with minimal effort.
V-Ray: The industry standard for photorealistic rendering, V-Ray offers powerful features and unparalleled versatility.
Wide Plugin Compatibility
The Helio Plugin is compatible with an extensive range of 3ds Max plugins, ensuring that your assets and scene settings are fully supported. Among the supported plugins are:
Anima: Bring life to your scenes with realistic crowd simulations.
FloorGenerator: Create intricate floor layouts and patterns with ease.
MultiTexture: Apply random textures to your 3D objects for added realism.
Forest Pack Pro: Generate complex environments and vegetation with high performance.
RailClone Pro: Create parametric objects and procedural modeling.
GrowFX: Simulate and render complex plant life with high detail.
Phoenix FD: Simulate fire, smoke, liquids, and more with precision.
SiNi Software: Enhance your 3ds Max capabilities with various utilities.
tyFlow: Simulate complex particle systems and dynamics.
Supported Features for Cloud Rendering
1. Single Frame Rendering
The Helio plugin allows you to render single frames from your 3ds Max scenes on the cloud. Whether you're working on a still image, an architectural render, or a product visualization, you can upload your scene and perform high-quality rendering in the cloud without relying on local hardware.
2. Animation Sequences
Cloud rendering with Helio supports animation sequences. You can render animations as individual frames or as a complete sequence, significantly speeding up your render time by utilizing cloud resources.
3. X-Ref Scene Support
Helio supports X-Ref scenes, allowing you to work with externally referenced scenes in 3ds Max. If your project is made up of multiple scenes or assets referenced from other files, you can still use Helio to render them on the cloud without having to merge everything into a single scene.
Troubleshooting and Support
While the Helio Plugin is designed to provide a seamless experience, you might occasionally run into issues. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:
Asset Collection Errors: Ensure that all assets (textures, models, etc.) are correctly linked in your scene. If any files are missing or incorrectly referenced, the plugin will not be able to collect them.
Render Engine Compatibility: Make sure you are using a supported version of V-Ray or Chaos Corona. If you are running into issues, check the plugin settings to confirm your render engine is configured correctly.
Plugin Conflicts: If you have other plugins installed in 3ds Max, ensure that they are compatible with the Helio Plugin. Most third-party plugins, such as Forest Pack Pro and RailClone Pro, are supported, but conflicts can sometimes occur.
Animated Textures and Image Sequences
If your scene uses animated textures or image sequences, you will need to manually copy these files to the root directory of the Helio Plugin output folder. This ensures that the Helio cloud rendering system has access to all of your animation assets. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Locate your animated texture or image sequence files within your project directory.
Step 2: Copy these files to the root directory of the output folder generated by the Helio Plugin (usually found in your Helio plugin output location).
Step 3: Once copied, you will need to sync your project in the Helio client, this will upload the files to be accessed correctly apply the textures or sequences during rendering.
If you encounter problems that are not covered here, please contact our support team for assistance. Our team is ready to help resolve any issues promptly.