Luxion, creators of Keyshot (their CPU based standalone 3D rendering and animation system for 3D data) have released a free version of a plugin for all users of Autodesk 3ds MAX that will load the model into Keyshot with everything intact right from the 3ds file menu.
For more information and a download of the Free KeyShot Plugin for 3ds Max check the page at Luxion here.
One of the unique features of Keyshot is that it is CPU driven not GPU. Keyshot runs on any modern PC or Mac, Unbiased Sampling Techniques that compute mathematically correct results, Scientifically Accurate Materials, Multi-Core Photon Mapping, Adaptive Material Sampling, and a Dynamic Light Core that allow users to see results at the same time as changes are being made. Combined with its ease of use KeyShot gives anybody involved with 3D data the ability to create photographic images in a matter of minutes, independent of the size of the digital model. KeyShot supports many native file formats, including SolidWorks, Rhino, SketchUp, Obj, IGES and STEP.
