Hi, I just got email from e-on - but I am definitely going to get 8 free already aren't I?  that's how i interpreted their previous advertising.  I haven't made a mistake have i?
Love esther

This is a courtesy message to remind you that your complimentary 30 day maintenance plan for Vue 7.5 xStream (license VUE7xxxxxxxx) will expire on November 16, 2009, in 15 days.

[ **Upgrade to Standard Maintenance and save $200!

**](http://www.e-onsoftware.com/order/?ForceProductId=1132&selCountry=15&id=62)

Vue 8 should be out before your 15 days is up.  Buying more maintenance gives you "free" access to Vue 8.5.  "Maintenance" may be the wrong word used, since it doesn't fix anything but rather gets you upgrades for cheap.  Everyone still gets updates regardless.

Are you sure you want to publish your license number here? The danger to have problems because of a pirated license can be much worse than anything else.

 wabe - thank god!  good spot.  
It was up for less than 3 minutes.  I think our usual crowd are honest, and I'm hoping it will all be okay.
Guess I could speak to eon about getting a new number.
Love esther

My speed reading didn't even notice a number.  I'm so used to ignoring them when I do notice one because of warez sites all over and spyware attached to using them.

I got the mail too Esther, I'll start worrying with one day to go! [LOL].

 I am a little bit worried already.

Their offer was quite clear and written down in black and white for all to see Esther. I don't know about the laws where you live, but in Wales and the rest of the UK we have a thing called the Trading Standards Office, I can assure you that if I don't get my free copy of Vue 8 Infinite as promised in that e-mail [which I still have for evidence], e-on will get a visit from them and non compliance with them could cost them a good few dollars. Our trading standards office are very agressive in anything seen as "ripping people off".
I am not worried at this point.

The 30-day maintenance plan mentioned in the email is for version 8, which those of us on maintenance for version 7/7.5 get as part of that maintenance plan (which if for our 7 licenses). So if you want to get 8.5 as part of your maintenance plan - it will probably be cheaper to pay for maintenance and get 8.5 "free" as part of the maintenance agreement on your 8 license, than it will be to just buy an upgrade to 8.5 from 8. At least that's how understand it

I still can't believe you all support this Maintenance Scam.  If you update every 2 or 3 versions the savings would be considerate and hopefully this Maintenance Plan would then die. 

I remember when incremental updates were FREE because Vue was so buggy anything else would have been (IS) absurd.

 but with each new version of vue, I hope that some feature I want, will actually really work this time, so I keep on and on.  I can't help myself.  I'm like an addict.  Vue just gives me enough to make me want more.
Love esther

I'll wait and buy 9.5 when 10 is about to be released for free.  I should have at least one version of Vue to work with that has added bang for the buck then.

 ShawnDriscoll - want to bet with me?  You'll get 9 when it comes out because it will have some new feature you won't be able to live without not to mention the special upgrade price etc. Now whether the feature will work properly or not - that's another matter.  won't stop you though.  

Well... 8 has two new features that I've been asking for since version 5.  If I can wait that long for them, I can hopefully wait longer for even more features in 9.5/10.  I'd pay the lump $595 for the upgrade from 7.5 instead of the incremental fees to get there.

 ah, but version nine will make vue run 100 times faster with 1000x bigger scenes.  And will wash up and cook for you too.

Quote -  ah, but version nine will make vue run 100 times faster with 1000x bigger scenes.  And will wash up and cook for you too.

I'd be happy if it still runs on my WinXP 32-bit system.  7.5 runs like a champ on it without having to upgrade anything.  But if 9 isn't going to support 32-bit (only runs on Vista 64-bit and higher), then I guess I'll have to buy 8.5 final and stop there.  This is just a hobby for me.

Since there are already Vue 7.5 users, that already bought this versions a few month ago together with a maintenance plan, which gave them the right to get pre-versions of Vue 8 to have first experiences before the main release and those users are already showing off their first Vue 8 images for a while, it should be no problem for e-onsoftware, to release Vue 8 in the first week of November, as announced, because this Version should be finished for release now.

They probably just had stuff left to do like setting up the final product lineup, finish the full and upgrade version price lists and whatever else is connected to a new software release ...

So i don't really see a problem that within the 30 day maintenance plan hooked to the Vue 7.5 purchase 2 weeks ago - as announced - we'll get the Vue 8 upgrade.

They added Vue Frontier to their list.  I can always get the PLE version of Vue 8 if I need to render something quick from if it's impossible to achieve in 7.5.

Looks like I'll be buying 8.5 when 9 is announced because 10 probably won't run on WinXP because of the newer OpenGL by then.

Well, Esther, i've got an email, that should wipe away your worries ...

It's the upgrade info including download link and serial key for Vue 8 ... like they've announced it ... ;)

They added a Python node to the Function Editor.  E-on knows how to suck the money from my wallet.  I forgot I asked them about adding that one.  I'll feel guilty now if I don't buy.

 gosh that could open up some possibilities for tooning then too.  Maybe someone will write a NPR
Love esther
PS shawn - told you so hehehehehehe.

Quote - They added a Python node to the Function Editor.

It would be pretty nice if you'd never mentioned this, because so far I didn't noticed that.
Now I have to buy it. I hate you!

Shawn - the combined but independent badgering of e-on by several python users over a long time got that one in.  I have a plan on abusing it quite soon ;-)

 You know what I'd like you to do with it don't you?
TOONS!!!!

Quote - combined but independent

I like that phrase.

 gosh you didn't even wait for 9 hehehehe

Damn that Python.

 and 9 will have the same thing but it will actually work (mabye) hehehehe

Don't jinx it!  It's running slicker than 7.5 did on this computer.

 the  very first thing that happened with mine was a message about my video board incompatibility....waaa  still works though but it automatically turned something or other off.
see my message on the thread about macs and vue 8 in this forum nearby.

Vue 8 had to reboot/degrade my video settings twice before it would start.  Yey!  I've learned what my card can't do since Vue 6 so I'm not surprised it can't do Shader 4.0.  One of my scenes aren't glowing.  So there must me a new setting in Vue 8 to do glowing.  Fun exploring.

 I am away so much I hardly have a chance to explore my new vue 8.  anyway - have fun.  Post renders when able.
Love esther

I found my glow again.  Vue 8 adds glow in post (after rendering).  Vue 7.5 did it on the fly.  And my Vue 7.5 terrains from GeoControl all have displacement turned on (huge memory hog) when they don't need displacement at all.  So I have to turn off displacement quickly after loading a 7.5 terrain file before Vue wants to shut down.  :)

Now to find where they hid caustics...

 I'm pretty sure vue has always added the glow at the end of the render.
anyway, glad you found it.
Love esther

Wash... rinse... wash.... rinse... then Anti-aliasing glow during last cycle.  Maybe Vue 8 has a broader luminous range than Vue 7.5 and I need to kick the brightness up for 8.