How to download the Mentalray and IRay render plugin for 3ds Max 2018 and Maya 2018

Autodesk Support

Dec 18, 2024

Products and versions covered

Issue:

It is not possible to find a download for the Mentalray plugin for 3ds Max 2018 and Maya 2018. How is it possible to install Mentalray renderer for 3ds Max 2018 and Maya 2018?

 

Causes:

On 20 November 2017, Nvidia discontinued development of the mental ray and IRay renderers, as outlined in this Nvidia transition statement. More information on how to obtain support for mental ray and IRay can be found at this mental ray plug-in FAQ sheet.

Solution:

Mental Ray Renderer status

Although Nvidia made Mental Ray downloads for 3ds Max 2018 and Maya 2018 available through its Advanced Render Forums, those forums are now closed. There is currently no way to obtain the Mental Ray renderer for 3ds Max 2018 or higher, or Maya 2018 or higher.

Mental Ray for 3ds Max and Maya has been replaced by the Arnold renderer, which is included with each copy of 3ds Max and Maya. For more information, see the Arnold Renderer webpage.

For 3ds Max 2018 users who relied on Mental Ray to produce point cloud renderings, see the article: How to render Point Clouds in 3ds Max 2018.
 

iRay Renderer status

Nvidia's GPU-based Iray renderer can now obtain it from the Iray plugins site.


 

Products:

3ds Max; Maya;

Versions:

2018;

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