Vray All Versions List Exclusive May 2026

: The latest major version, which introduced significant performance boosts and deeper integration with real-time workflows. Notable updates include V-Ray 7, update 2 , which added support for SketchUp 2026 : Introduced for complex tiling patterns and V-Ray Decal improvements. It focused heavily on cloud collaboration via Chaos Cloud : A major shift that integrated

(changing light colors/intensity after rendering) and a built-in Layer Compositor directly into the V-Ray Frame Buffer. Chaos Docs Legacy Generations V-Ray Next (v4.x)

: Marketed as "smart" rendering, this version introduced the Adaptive Dome Light Scene Intelligence to automate sampling and lighting optimization. : Known for the introduction of the V-Ray Denoiser

and a significantly faster ray-tracing core that streamlined production for large-scale studios. : A foundational era that popularized (Real-Time) for interactive GPU-based previews. V-Ray 1.5 & Older

: The early industry-standard versions that established V-Ray's reputation for physically accurate global illumination in 3ds Max. Platform Availability

V-Ray is developed for specific host applications, each following its own versioning path: V-Ray for 3ds Max

: The lead platform where new features typically debut first. V-Ray for SketchUp : Popular in architecture; current builds support SketchUp 2023 through 2026 Other Platforms : Includes V-Ray for Maya Chaos Docs Quick Performance Tips

: For optimal rendering in newer versions, 16GB of RAM is the recommended minimum, though 64GB+ is advised for complex GPU-based scenes. Verification

: To check which version you are currently running, navigate to the Help > About menu within your host software's V-Ray tab. Chaos Docs for a specific 3D software like Version Compatibility - V-Ray for SketchUp - Chaos Docs

To create a realistic paper material in V-Ray across various versions (such as V-Ray 5, 6, or the latest V-Ray 7), you generally use a

with specific settings to capture its matte, slightly translucent, and fibrous nature. Core Settings for Standard White Paper

The following settings work as a baseline for almost all modern V-Ray versions:

: Set the color to a light gray/off-white (RGB 180–190). Avoid pure white (255), as it doesn't exist in the real world and can cause "glowing" or unrealistic lighting [14]. Reflection Reflect Color : Dark gray (RGB 30–50). Paper is not highly reflective. Reflection Glossiness

: Low value (0.4 to 0.6) to ensure reflections are very blurry and spread out [14]. Fresnel IOR : Use the standard default (1.5–1.6) or specifically for typical paper [5.2]. Refraction (Translucency) For thin paper (like a book page), use the Translucency (or "2-Sided") feature. Translucency vray all versions list

rollout, select a "Hard" or "Hybrid" model and use a light gray for the Backside Color to allow light to bleed through slightly.

: Use a very fine noise map or a "Paper Fiber" texture at a low intensity (0.01–0.05) to give it a microscopic tactile feel [14]. Version-Specific Implementation V-Ray Version Recommended Method V-Ray 6 & 7 Chaos Cosmos

library to download high-quality, pre-made paper assets [5.5, 17]. This saves time and includes calibrated textures. Utilize the Asset Editor's Material Library

. There is a dedicated "Paper" category where you can drag and drop presets directly into your scene [5.4]. V-Ray Next / 3.x Manually create a VRay2SidedMtl

. Place your main paper material in the "Front" slot and a slightly darker version in the "Back" slot to simulate light passing through [5.6]. Common IOR Values for Paper-Related Materials Material Type Refraction Index (IOR) Standard Paper 1.500 [5.2] Acetone (Solvent) 1.360 [5.2] Acrylic Glass 1.490 [5.2] For professional results, you can also explore the Chaos Scans Library

which offers over 2,500 photoreal scanned materials, including complex paper types [5.7]. glossy magazine

V-Ray is the industry standard for 3D rendering, known for its versatility across different platforms like 3ds Max, Maya, SketchUp, and Rhino. Since its debut in 2002, the engine has evolved from a basic ray-tracer into a powerhouse of photorealistic simulation.

Below is a comprehensive list and history of V-Ray versions, highlighting the major milestones and features that defined each era. The Early Era: V-Ray 1.0 to 1.5

In the early 2000s, V-Ray disrupted the industry by offering faster global illumination than the built-in scanline renderers of the time.

V-Ray 1.0 (2002): The initial release for 3ds Max that introduced basic ray-tracing and GI.

V-Ray 1.5 (2006): A legendary version that stayed in use for years. It introduced the V-Ray Physical Camera, Sun & Sky system, and the V-Ray Dirt map. The Modern Foundation: V-Ray 2.0

Released around 2010, this version focused on speed and interactive rendering.

V-Ray RT: Introduced GPU-accelerated interactive rendering, allowing artists to see changes in real-time. : The latest major version, which introduced significant

Stereoscopic Rendering: Added support for 3D camera workflows.

V-Ray Lens Effects: Enabled bloom and glare effects directly within the frame buffer. The Professional Standard: V-Ray 3.0 to 3.6

V-Ray 3.0 was a massive overhaul, focusing on making the interface cleaner and the engine faster for high-end production.

V-Ray 3.0: Introduced a simplified UI and the "Progressive Image Sampler."

V-Ray 3.4: Added Denoiser technology, significantly cutting down render times by removing grain through post-processing.

V-Ray 3.6: Introduced Hybrid Rendering, allowing the engine to use both CPU and GPU simultaneously. The Intelligence Era: V-Ray Next (Version 4.0)

With "Next," Chaos Group began incorporating smart features and machine learning to automate technical tasks.

Adaptive Dome Light: Removed the need for light portals in interior scenes.

Auto Exposure & White Balance: Used AI to set camera values instantly.

NVIDIA AI Denoiser: Integrated real-time denoising for interactive feedback. The Creative Powerhouse: V-Ray 5

Released in 2020, V-Ray 5 moved beyond just rendering, adding tools that usually required separate compositing software.

Light Mix: Allows users to change the color and intensity of lights after the render is finished.

Layer Compositing: Added a full compositing suite directly inside the V-Ray Frame Buffer (VFB). Cinema 4D R23

V-Ray Cosmos: A built-in library of high-quality, render-ready 3D assets. The Current State: V-Ray 6 and V-Ray 7

The most recent iterations focus on massive environments and seamless collaboration.

V-Ray 6: Introduced Enmesh (for tiling geometry), Procedural Clouds, and V-Ray Proxy Hierarchy.

V-Ray 7 (Latest): Features significant boosts in GPU performance, improved caustic rendering, and deeper integration with Chaos Vantage for real-time exploration.

⭐ Pro Tip: Always check your hardware compatibility before upgrading. Newer versions (6 and 7) require modern CPUs with SSE4.2 support and high-VRAM NVIDIA GPUs to take full advantage of the engine.

If you want to dive deeper into a specific version, I can help you with:

Installation guides for a specific host app (SketchUp, Max, etc.) Comparison tables of CPU vs. GPU features Troubleshooting common "black screen" or licensing errors

Which host software (like 3ds Max or SketchUp) are you currently using?

Final Notes

This list focuses on V-Ray for 3ds Max as the reference platform. Feature sets and version numbers may differ slightly for SketchUp, Rhino, or C4D (e.g., V-Ray for SketchUp skipped version 4.x and jumped from 3.6 to 5.0). Always refer to the release notes for your specific host application.

For the absolute latest point release (e.g., 7.01, 7.02), visit:
🔗 https://www.chaos.com/vray/whats-new

3. The Expansion Era (2007 – 2016)

During this period, Chaos focused on expanding platform support and refining the core rendering algorithms.

V-Ray 2.0 (2010) A landmark release that introduced significant workflow improvements:

  • VRayRT: The introduction of Real-Time rendering capabilities (early GPU support), allowing artists to see changes instantly.
  • VRayCarPaint & VRaySkin: Specialized shaders for complex organic and automotive surfaces.
  • Expanded Support: Versions for Maya, Rhino, and SketchUp began to mature, moving V-Ray beyond just a 3ds Max tool.

V-Ray 3.0 (2014) This version focused on speed optimization and scene management.

  • V-Ray Swarm: A new distributed rendering system allowing users to harness the power of multiple computers.
  • V-Ray Clipper: A tool for creating cutaways and sections quickly.
  • Improved Hair and Fur: Significant speed increases for rendering hair.

V-Ray Versions List

Here is a list of all V-Ray versions:

  1. V-Ray 1.0 (2000)
    • First release of V-Ray
    • Supported: 3ds Max 4.5
  2. V-Ray 1.5 (2002)
    • Improved rendering speed and quality
    • Supported: 3ds Max 5.1
  3. V-Ray 1.8 (2004)
    • Introduced support for mental ray and Maya
    • Supported: 3ds Max 6, Maya 6
  4. V-Ray 1.9 (2005)
    • Improved lighting and materials
    • Supported: 3ds Max 7, Maya 7
  5. V-Ray 2.0 (2006)
    • Major overhaul of the rendering engine
    • Supported: 3ds Max 8, Maya 8
  6. V-Ray 2.5 (2008)
    • Introduced support for Cinema 4D and Rhinoceros
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2009, Maya 2008, Cinema 4D R11, Rhinoceros 4
  7. V-Ray 2.6 (2009)
    • Improved performance and new features
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2010, Maya 2009, Cinema 4D R12
  8. V-Ray 2.7 (2010)
    • Introduced support for LightWave 3D and Houdini
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2011, Maya 2010, Cinema 4D R13, LightWave 3D 11, Houdini 12
  9. V-Ray 3.0 (2012)
    • Major update with new rendering engine and features
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2012, Maya 2012, Cinema 4D R14
  10. V-Ray 3.1 (2013)
    • Improved performance and new features
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2014, Maya 2013, Cinema 4D R15
  11. V-Ray 3.2 (2014)
    • Introduced support for SketchUp and Modo
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2015, Maya 2014, Cinema 4D R16, SketchUp 2014, Modo 801
  12. V-Ray 3.3 (2015)
    • Improved rendering speed and new features
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2016, Maya 2015, Cinema 4D R17
  13. V-Ray 3.4 (2016)
    • Introduced support for Nuke and Unreal Engine
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2017, Maya 2016, Cinema 4D R18, Nuke 9, Unreal Engine 4.10
  14. V-Ray 3.5 (2017)
    • Improved performance and new features
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2018, Maya 2017, Cinema 4D R19
  15. V-Ray 3.6 (2018)
    • Introduced support for Arnold and Redshift
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2019, Maya 2018, Cinema 4D R20
  16. V-Ray 3.7 (2019)
    • Improved rendering speed and new features
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2020, Maya 2019, Cinema 4D R21
  17. V-Ray 4.0 (2020)
    • Major update with new rendering engine and features
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2021, Maya 2020, Cinema 4D R22
  18. V-Ray 4.1 (2021)
    • Improved performance and new features
    • Supported: 3ds Max 2022, Maya 2021, Cinema 4D R23