The really only valuable use I can think of is you can create an establishing shot and render it at high resolution, then check the reuse option and move the camera closer in to the scene and continue smaller renders from slightly different angles. This works great and is really fast.

Quote - But how many of these programs go up SO HIGH in price so quickly? What was the price increase between Vue5I, Vue6I and Vue7I 

Vue 5 Infinite shipped March 14, 2005 and sold for $599.
Vue 6 Infinite shipped in October 2006 and sold for $699
Vue 7 Infinite shipped in October 2009 and sold for $895

I don't use the latest version of Photoshop. When I compared it's features to my CS3, I couldn't justify the cost. I do fine with CS3..no problems.

Hey, unless you NEED the new features, why upgrade? As Bruno says, 7.4 will also be released when 7.5 is released. Remember 7.5 isn't released YET. It's just announced that there's a pre-release version for all those who currently have the maintenance program-- primarily professionals. And do you guys really want to test the pre-release version of 7.5? .

The Vue 7.5 series is the professional line of Vue product, and their intended market is not hobbyists. Sure, hobbyists use it, but I imagine at some point the hobbyists will either quit upgrading or start using the Vue Artist line as it's just too expensive for them. Furthermore, do we really need the ability to render clouds in their own alpha layer for later compositing with HD captured video on an expensive frame store? Not me, but the pros have been asking for that option for awhile.

There are many professional level products in many different software areas. Pro-Engineer is another one which comes to mind. Hobbyists just cannot afford it. City Engine is another very high priced 3D software which most hobbyists might want, but cannot afford.

Let's see, what do other professional annual maintenance programs cost?

3DS Max: $495
AutoCad: $450
Maya Unlimited: $1295
Revit: $695

So, unless you just can't stand not having the latest version, just keep using 7.0-- there doesn't seem to be THAT much difference. Also, when 8.0 finally does come around, you won't have to complain about it's upgrade path, as you'll have the same upgrade costs as the 7.5 users.

It seems everytime Vue releases a new version there's plenty of hoopla and threats and name-calling, mostly by the usual suspects. No big surprise as this forum is comprised mostly by hobbyists, like myself, who don't typically have a pro 3d budget for purchasing their 3d software.

 Yes, I agree, it does look useful! Thanks Fred :)

 Nope, sorry. The best you can do is set the camera FOV to something very high (try 300) then zoom way out and render. Not perfect, but almost.

Pninia. I'm just presenting my own opinion here. I am sorry if it offended you. It should be OK for dissenting opinions, discussed in a reasonable manner, to be present on this forum.

While I was not consulted by e-on when they made this 'red-wireframe' decision, I am pointing out a potential reason why they might think it preferable.

Quote - Chipp, you really disappoint me here. Why is opening a new thread telling vue'er what bugs I found, what was fixed and what wasnt (and what reasons were given) seen by you as a threat?

Certainly you understand it's no threat to me. My point is something my mother told me many years ago: You get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar. Perhaps asking for help regarding your bugs, here in the forum, is potentially of value for you-- as there may be some who can and  are willing to help with workarounds, or explanations.

That said, it doesn't help the disucssion for you to get emotional  whenever anyone says something contrary to your point of view. 

 Find reference photos you like, then try and duplicate them in Vue. That's the fastest way to master realism with any tool. It works.

Quote - I think they just did everything in a terrible rush and therefor bugs and non-sensible decisions crept in. And a lot of them.

Just because you don't agree with their decisions, doesn't mean they did everything 'in a terrible rush.' Of course you are welcome to your opinion.

My opinion, is they make decisions like this one for a reason, and IMO, the preferred OGL display is the current one: the red-outlined display. 

Keep in mind, it does not 'show it much closer,' as it maintains it's correct perspective in the scene. If you are editing a scene with many objects partially or mostly hidden, this feature is invaluable.

Frankly, I never really cared one way or another about whether a wireframe is 'behind' or 'in front.' Never had an issue as I, like others here have mentioned, tend to use the three views more than the camera for positioning. Perhaps it's my training in perspective drawing, but I have no problems with the current implementation. In fact, highlighting the object in red wireframe makes it simple to see what I'm working on better.

I suppose what is helpful to one is a hindrance to another. Perhaps if discussed directly with e-on support in a reasonable manner, they will implement both preview techniques in the Preferences. I doubt threatening them with more forum threads or claiming they did everything in a terrible rush would endear them to rapidly help out. Though, who knows?

 Thanks for sending me the URL. I've taken the necessary steps to see it's removed.

best,
Chipp

Quote - Maybe one of our Python guru's (Chipp or Dave) could comment ?

Hi Frank,

Just so there's no misunderstanding...Dave's the Python Guru. I'm just a wannabe when it comes to Vue Python.

BTW, how do you like Blender? The interface has always put me off.

Quote -  Hi Chipp,
Hey, I downloaded it for free !???

Dick,

I'm not sure I understand. I suppose you know it's for sale at my website (www.vuetoolbar.com) and Cornucopia3D as well. If you didn't get it from there, where did you get it from?

Quote - Come back when your Vue renders look as good as the OP's link.

Ouch, coming from one of your obvious talents, that smarts!

In anycase, taking only a few minutes, grabbing images off the web and using the same clip map procedure, I was able to create this image below. While certainly not up to Allesandro's standards (as if anything I ever did could compete with his incredible talent), it does point out the ability of Vue to ALSO use clip maps to create more photoreal images.

Please feel free to post your own Mental Ray efforts. I look forward to seeing them.

Quote - Jaw-dropping as in when comparing CGSociety comments posted about the International Style house Mental Ray render with the Rendo gallery comments posted about the best Vue render.

So, for you the determining factor for a 'jawdropping image' is the amount of slobbering going on regarding someone's render. Hmm..but wait...wasn't it you who said:

Quote - Everyone on Rendo gets "Excellent render!" and "Great work!" comments from the same users on their gallery uploads.

Are you saying slobbering over at CGTalk is more juicy than slobbering over at Renderosity?
LOL.

 Here's a quick render in Vue using 2 different clipmaps- one for the grass, another for the trees. Keep in mind I set this up in minutes-- but I think it shows the potential for doing the same sort of think in Vue that was done in Mental Ray.

Shawn, since you have no Vue masterpieces, please show us one of your jaw-dropping Mental Ray masterpieces. If you cannot, then I still contend it's not the tool, it's the artist. And while I admit some Vue renders are not jaw-dropping, the same is true for Mental Ray renders as well.