Maya plugin feature queries

[TBFX]

Hi JimStar,

I thought I'd gather together in one post a few features that have been discussed before or are still missing from the Maya plugin (and in some cases all the plugins) plus something new.

Features in v1.20 of the standalone not yet in the plugin.
Scattering direction in the scattering node - This one is really important for some uses of the scattering medium like clouds and atmospheres. I know this is probably not in the SDK yet but we need to be able to post stuff like this here, especially as the Maya plugin is now essentially an Otoy internally developed plugin.

The gradient texture - I know there is some tech reason this is difficult in the plugins but wanted to mention it again as it would be really useful.

Interpolated vertex normal in the info channel kernel - not an important one for me but it may be useful to somebody.

Things previously discussed.
Loading optimization of instances that are made and placed manually - although the particle instance load times were optimized quite well a long time ago you had mentioned that you would get to the manual instances later but these are still really inefficient and pretty much unusable with heavy geometry like trees etc.

Renumber frames - it would really be great if this feature could be made to work when rendering sub frames.

Possible plugin side multi frame motion blur - as we discussed in this thread http://render.otoy.com/forum/viewtopic. ... ur#p146728 I know that's a lot of work that Otoy probably would rather have your time spent elsewhere since they will eventually get integrated MB into the product but just thought I'd mention it again incase.

Something new.

With Maya 2014 extension now out I was wondering if you have looked or will look into xGen to see if any of the procedural geometry could be implemented on the plugin side. Obviously it'd be great if it could be implemented on the engine side but I think that would be a big ask at present.

Otherwise although the Maya plugin is really well featured and pretty stable now I'd like to think now that the Blender plugin is up and running (looks like an awesome integration there by the way) that we will see the Maya plugin pushed along a bit more as there has been nothing but the odd bug fix for a long time now.

Still loving Octane.
T.