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How to install V-Ray for Autodesk 3ds Max on a personal computer (Windows only)

How to install V-Ray for Autodesk 3ds Max on a personal computer (Windows only)

V-Ray will only work if you first install and configure the SU Azure VPN using these steps. 

  • Once you have the VPN installed, before starting 3ds Max, start the VPN app and sign in. When you are done using 3ds Max, disconnect the VPN.

  • The VPN is NOT required if you are at the Fisher Center in NYC.

  1. Uninstall any previous version of V-Ray for 3ds Max, then restart your computer.

  2. Obtain the new V-Ray installation file from the Student Resources folder on the G drive. Find it in G:\ARCH-FILER\Student Resources\Software\V-Ray for 3ds Max.

  3. Copy the installation file to your computer (don’t install directly from the G drive or you may get errors).

  4. Start the installation by double clicking the file ‘vray_adv_72008_max2025_x64.exe’.

  5. On the Host App Version screen, select 3ds Max then click ADVANCED.

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  6. Select Workstation.

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  7. Select ‘All users’.

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  8. On the Licensing screen:

    1. select Remote

    2. Primary License Server: Click this link to obtain the server name (login required).

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  9. Click Install and wait a few moments for it to finish.

  10. At this point it may open a web browser and display an ‘Installation complete’ message. Close the browser.

  11. Start 3ds Max, wait for it to load the V-ray plugin. It may ask for access through the windows firewall, which you should allow.

  12. The V-Ray toolbar should appear, and you should see V-Ray in the main menu.

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  13. To enable V-Ray, in 3ds Max click Rendering > Render Setup, and change Renderer to V-Ray.

  14. If you get prompted to login with a Chaos account, you can ignore this UNLESS you want to use the V-Ray materials collection (see below). In most cases we recommend creating a free Chaos account so that you can access the materials library. Learn more about using the materials library in the next section “Extras - Materials Collection'.

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  15. Test V-Ray by drawing a cube, then click Rendering > Render. If it renders successfully and you see the V-Ray Frame Buffer window, your license is activated and working.

Extras - Materials Collection

For instructions on how to access the materials collection, please see this page: V-Ray Materials Library. You can skip steps 6-8 since that applies to a lab computer.

Troubleshooting

  1. Is your Internet connection working? V-Ray needs an active network connection.

  2. Did you remember to install and start the SU VPN (see green box at top of this page)? This is required for V-Ray to access the license.

  3. Are you using the school’s VRay installation package from the G drive at G:\Student Resources\Software\V-Ray for 3ds Max? The trial from the V-Ray website may not work.

 Get Help

If you have questions or problems, please contact the Architecture IT team at archit@syr.edu or stop by Room 001.