This is a still taken from e-onsoftware's video titled "Vue 6 QuickTour" , (which is here)
(In case the link doesn't work: http://e-onsoftware.com/products/vue/vue_6_infinite/

Back in 2002, Jose Luis Villar posted this image at 3DLinks Gallery, and listed "3dsmax4.26 and vray" as the programs he used to create his image.

(In case the link doesn't work: http://www.3dlinks.com/gallery_fullview.cfm?id=4761)

Of course, I can see the differences. Either Villar's work was ripped off and edited, or somebody went through great pains to duplicate his scene almost to a tee. Still, the folks at Vue couldn't come up with a completely original promo video??

It is possible that e-on is simply using the picture from someone who recreated the original scene in Vue, or wanted to demonstrate it was possible to do so. They usually ask people to reuse some of their images as promotional materials - I had a couple of images used that way. It is not necessarily e-on's responsibility to double-check if every image they use is original or not (outside of the obvious copyright issues that is). The question you are raising would be better addressed between e-on, the author of the Vue version of the scene and the author of the 3DS max version.

To be honest, agiel, I saw it, was surprised, and created the thread. It didn't occur to me that people would take my observation harshly (I don't mean you; I received a nasty PM already about this).

Funny thing is, I love Vue, I was only taken aback to see a likeness of an image that I admired for years in that video, one that was created in another program. But your explanation of how works can be used in these situations casts another light on it for me.

Thanks for your post. : )

It's actully a pretty good re-creation of the original picture when you look at them side by side, and a good demonstration that Vue's renderer can produce illuminations close to Vray at a fraction of the cost.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1183179&member

The Vue image was done by raffyraffy, and he explains in the comment under his render ( check the link) that most of his work is inspired by or a reinterpretation of Jose Luis Villar work. So this was completely done with Vue, and the original author wasn't forgotten. Guess all is well now: Pheww!

Thanks for your responses, agiel and Bruno. Bruno, I visited that link, and raffyraffy's image is indeed an incredible homage!

" Guess all is well now:
Pheww!"

LOL! Yah, well, next time I won't do the equivalent of blurting out whatever's on my mind. Gotta think before speaking, and research for posting. :P