This update is still in beta. The following is a list of bug fixes and improvements included in this update:

• New Features: - Material Painting and effect-driven material mapping in the Terrain Editor
• Cross-shadowing on clouds
• Optional Hide objects from render and disable lights by clicking their icon in World Browser
• OpenGL sky preview with clouds
• Realistic MetaCloud preview
• Dynamic plant display optimization
• Enhanced Multi-Processor usage for procedural terrains, dynamic EcoSystems and panoramic rendering
• SketchUp 7 file import - 32 bit only
• Automatic renaming of Standalone, HyperVue- and RenderNode-generated frames if overwriting

 

• Improved OpenGL display of transparent objects, lensflare, fog, sky previews, layered ecosystem materials...
• Optimized memory usage when creating a new scene.
• Improved the Auto-updating of Vue on MacOS.
• New algorithms to reduce noise in the shadows projected by spectral clouds.
• Various optimizations with Macro edition, particularly on MacOS 10.4.
• Added an option to refresh the sky OpenGL display in the viewport display options.
• Improved several import modules (3DMF, COB, LWO, VRML).
• Fixed possible problems when importing animated Collada files on MacOS.
• Improved Fractal computation in the terrain editor.
• Improved edition of pre-animated groups.
• Optimized workflow with Poser objects.
• Optimized anti flickering technology for animations that include stars.
• Optimized alpha transparency influence with GI shading.
• Improved stability when using the Function Editor.
• Fixed a possible bug when using the "twist" parameter on Vue object.
• Fixed a possible crash when resetting an atmosphere that contains animated clouds.
• Improved Network Rendering with RenderCows.
• Various interface optimizations.

I think the 7.4 update for other versions will be out soon too.  I have installed and had no problems. 

Thanks for the heads up,  Peggy! :)

the material painter, tried it in 7.5, is a damn nice idea. Saves having to generate such greyscale maps in other external apps for mixed materials

Hallo Peggy, thanks for the info.
I'm not going to have access to my Vue PC for a while, so can't lokk for myself - is there any doku in the download that explains more about "Optimized workflow with Poser objects"? - does this mean, for example, that the use of Poser shaders (including bump and displacement) now works? (Smith Micro SDK issues resolved)?
or what does it mean? If you can shed some light on this I'd be grateful

Rob 

Peggy,

I notice an official upgrade, 40761, which includes improved Undo/Redo with EcoSystem Materials. is also available.  The latest one I have is 39290. Does that mean one should first download the 40761 upgrade and then the 42554 beta upgrade to take advantage of all the updates, or can one skip the 40761 upgrade and still get all the new goodies?

You can get just the latest patch.  It will update any version.

As always, Peggy - thanks for your prompt reply!

In Infinite, make sure you save your Configuration file (keyboard shortcuts etc) before updating because 7.4 will reset this to default.

I've just downloaded and installed  the update but when I open a new scene  the atmosphere is just black , I can see the at in the little preview window but the main screen window just shows black sky, no default sky. Any ideas anyone??? (Vue 7 Infinite)

What happens if you load the default atmosphere?  Could be the default scene got lost/corrupted. 

Hi Peggy just trying all the options if I render the sky appears in the picture but as soon as I click on something in the world broswer the sky turns black even though I can see the actual atmosphere in the little preview pane it is the same in all four view

Just uploading screendump

Silly me!!! I needed to reset the display options all seems ok now, by the way what are the best setting to use, not sure what I should tick or not?

Well, I get some weirdness sometimes with SkinVue but overall, considering it's a beta, colour me impressed.  It's a huge amount faster to get a poser figure imported and ready to go which is nice and I think they might have cured the "hulk" look when you use the Poser Shader tree

Hi Peg!  Is there a place to look for instruction on how to use this update to its best advantage? I know it's supposed to do wonderful things, but where do we learn how to best put it to work?
Btw, saw that you're a tech adviser for the Chopines' new book! Great going, smart lady!  I really miss the LVS Vue classes, but am hoping to rejoin when Vue7 is put on the schedule. Best always, PW2  Peggy

No joy importing Sketchup 7 on 32-bit XP.

Tried with a simple cube, and with more complex models - no joy.

Quote - Hi Peg!  Is there a place to look for instruction on how to use this update to its best advantage? I know it's supposed to do wonderful things, but where do we learn how to best put it to work?
Btw, saw that you're a tech adviser for the Chopines' new book! Great going, smart lady!  I really miss the LVS Vue classes, but am hoping to rejoin when Vue7 is put on the schedule. Best always, PW2  Peggy

I just finished that course, and Vue 7 is well covered in it.  I am waiting for her followup course, hopefully soon.

John

Hi PW2 and John - I am working on my next course and will add some of the new features of Vue 7.5.  I was hard knocked down by pneumonia this last few weeks, so I am behind again on writing - but I'm getting better finally.  :ohmy:

Ami's book is great and it was really fun working with her!  My copy just arrived today.  It's great too see it all put together and the color graphics look awesome.

> Quote - - New Features: > > - Material Painting and effect-driven material mapping in the Terrain Editor > - Cross-shadowing on clouds > - Optional Hide objects from render and disable lights by clicking their icon in World Browser > - **OpenGL sky preview with clouds** > - **Realistic MetaCloud preview** > - Dynamic plant display optimization > - Enhanced Multi-Processor usage for procedural terrains, dynamic EcoSystems and panoramic rendering > - SketchUp 7 file import - 32 bit only > - Automatic renaming of Standalone, HyperVue- and RenderNode-generated frames if overwriting

What's improved ?   I don't see any difference in the sky/cloud or metacloud previews   

Deselect the clouds and you'll see the previewing, provided the correct OpenGL options are set.

Here the cloud preview in Vue7.5. Meta-clouds and cloud layer display correct. The shadow, the sphere cast is shown correct too. But in Vue7.4 the cloud preview is not correct.

Mazak