How to transfer scenes from Enscape to V-Ray in 3ds Max | Chaos

Looking to transfer your Enscape scenes to V-Ray for 3ds Max? Our Enscape to V-Ray workflow tutorial will teach you how to do that effortlessly.

Today, we will explore the seamless process of transferring scenes from Enscape to V-Ray in 3ds Max. You will learn how to import your project into 3ds Max, refine materials and cameras in V-Ray, populate the scene with greenery and other objects, and enhance it with lighting and atmospheric effects. Feel free to follow along with the video below. Now, let’s get started!

Exporting the project from Enscape

1. If you are using Enscape 3.5.6 or above, locate the V-Ray logo button and click it. A window will open up, displaying a list of all 3D views.
2. Choose the desired 3D view from the list you want to export.
3. Click the "Export" button to initiate the export process.

*Note that the exported view will be the selected one, not the current view.

Importing the project into 3ds Max

1. In 3ds Max, navigate to the V-Ray tab.
2. Choose the "Enscape VR scene importer" option.
3. Select the exported file from Enscape and click "Open." A window with import options will appear.
4. Customize the import settings, such as selecting the types of assets to be imported (geometries, cameras, lights), choosing the path location for texture extraction, and enabling options like copying external assets and rescaling objects to system unit scale.
5. Once the import options are set, proceed with the import process.

Refining materials and cameras in V-Ray

After importing the Enscape project into V-Ray, you can refine the materials.

1. Use the existing materials as a base or explore the ready-made materials available in Chaos Cosmos, a library containing 3D assets like models, HDRIs, and materials.
2. Fine-tune the V-Ray camera by leveraging physically-based camera parameters such as F-number and shutter speed.
3. Elevate the composition by aligning it with the golden ratio directly in the viewport for optimal visual appeal.

Populating the scene

You can use Chaos Scatter to enhance the scene – a feature that allows you to distribute various models. You can scatter grass, trees, and other objects downloaded from Chaos Cosmos. You can also apply distance textures to control the distribution of leaves and grass around specific areas. Additionally, you can create planes to represent hills or distant cities and scatter trees on these planes.

Enhancing the image with lighting and atmospheric effects

To enhance the image further, you can use HDRI from Chaos Cosmos to simulate light from real moments captured in real life. You can also adjust the intensity of the sun and introduce artificial lights to bring more life to the buildings. Additionally, you can add atmospheric elements such as simulated clouds using Chaos Phoenix and V-Ray fog to create depth and realism in the scene.

Finalizing the render

To prepare for the final render, you can adjust the render settings, including resolution and render elements. You can use render elements to facilitate fine-tuning later, such as adjusting the intensity of lights. Once the render settings are configured, you can begin the rendering process. After the render is complete, you can use V-Ray Light Mix to adjust the intensity and color of lights and enable lens effects to create flares around light sources.