Maxwell Render Suite 2.7

Review posted April 12, 2007

Well, most realize that unbiased rendering solutions are slow, so I guess you can't hold it against the app. However, I find it to be a grossly unrefined piece of code. The plugins and studio are buggy almost to the point of being unuseable. Also, compared to competing unbiased render apps, Maxwell is way behind on features. No shift lens, micropoly displacement, or instancing. Also, there is a significant glass bug in architectural uses (ie windows) that has not been adequately resolved (and the manner in which it is resolved is physically inaccurate!).

Finally, Next Limit's communications are completely unacceptable. Period. I can't even count the number of times they've promised something they have not been able to fulfill. Word to the wise- do not believe anything they say. If they promise a release within a given period, seriously- just ignore it. It won't happen!