| Developer(s) | Next Limit Technologies |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 26 April 2006 |
| Stable release | 5.0[1]
/ 30 October 2019 |
| Operating system | Linux (on x86-64) Mac OS X (on IA-32 and PowerPC) Microsoft Windows (on IA-32 and x86-64) |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Raytracer |
| License | Proprietary commercial software |
| Website | www |
Maxwell Render is an unbiased 3D render engine, developed by Next Limit Technologies in Madrid, Spain. This stand-alone software is used in the film, animation, and VFX industry, as well as in architectural and product design visualization.[2][3] It offers various plug-ins for 3D/CAD and post production applications.[4]
Maxwell Render was released to the public as an early alpha in December 2004 (after two years of internal development) utilizing a global illumination (GI) algorithm based on a metropolis light transport variation.[5] Next Limit Technologies released its latest version of Maxwell Render V4.2 in February 2018.[6]
The physically correct rendering engine was originally used as a tool for animation and visual effects. Maxwell Render's trademark Multilight feature,[7] which permits the changing of light intensities and colors in real time, was used in the feature film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.[8]
Physically-based advantages
Multilight™ FIRE: Fast Interactive Rendering
Materials Realistic Camera Model
Memory Saving Instances Accurate 3D Motion Blur Hair, Grass and Fur
Volumetrics Particle Rendering
Industry standard support
Network Rendering Post Production
Maxwell Render for SketchUp[9] is a simplified version of Maxwell Render, fully integrated into the SketchUp software application. Users can set the camera, lighting and environment, apply SketchUp or Maxwell MXM materials, and render and save image files. It is widely used in product design, architectural and engineering visualization.
3D application plug-ins
Postproduction application plug-ins
Third party supported plug-ins
| 2004 | Maxwell Render Alpha version |
| 2005 | Maxwell Render Beta version |
| 2006 | Maxwell Render 1.0
Maxwell Render 1.1 |
| 2007 | Maxwell Render 1.5
Maxwell Render 1.6 Maxwell Render 1.6.1 |
| 2008 | Maxwell Render 1.7 |
| 2009 | Maxwell Render 2.0 |
| 2011 | Maxwell Render Suite 2.6
Maxwell for Google SketchUp |
| 2012 | Maxwell Render 2.7
Maxwell Render Learning Edition Maxwell Render 2.7.1 |
| 2013 | Maxwell for SketchUp
Maxwell Render 3.0 |
| 2014 | Maxwell Render 3.0.1
Maxwell Render 3.0.1.1 beta |
| 2015 | Maxwell Render 3.1
Maxwell Render 3.1.0.2 Maxwell Render 3.2 |
| 2016 | Maxwell Render 4.0.0.11 |
| 2017 | Maxwell Render 4.0.1.1
Maxwell Render 4.1 |
| 2018 | Maxwell Render 4.2.0.2
Maxwell Render 4.2.0.3 |
| 2019 | Maxwell Render 5.0 |