Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max | PSOFT WEBSITE

General

What is the support for network-rendering management software other than Backburner?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

We only test with Backburner for validating network-rendering management.

Please contact the developers of the network-rendering management software you wish to use for inquiries regarding support for Pencil+.

Last updated 2017/07/05 Article Link

Summary of Pencil+ 4 Products Features

Pencil+ 4 for Maya Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

There are four Pencil+ 4 products: Pencil+ 4 (for 3ds Max, for Maya) and Pencil+ 4 Line (for After Effects, for Unity). The main features of each product are summarized in the tables below. The implementation and operation of similar features vary depending on the product. Please use the Demo versions of the products to check the operation of the features.

Material
	3ds Max	Maya	After Effects	Unity
Toon Rendering	●	●	-	-
Gradation Offset Map	●	●	-	-
Basic Material	●	●	-	-
Stroke Map for Hatching	●	-	-	-
Highlight Design	●	-	-	-
Light Color Effect Setting	●	-	-	-
Shadow Blend	●	-	-	-
Light Intensity Effect Setting	●	-	-	-
Material Transparency	●	-	-	-
Show Materials in Viewport	●	-	-	-
Line Reflection, Refraction	●	-	-	-
Line Drawing Detection Setting	●	●	-	●*2
Replace Line Color	●	●	-	●*2

Line
	3ds Max	Maya	After Effects	Unity
Draw Visible Lines	●	●	●*1	●
Draw Hidden Lines	●	●	●*1	●
Advanced Line Settings	●	●	●*1	●
Brush Details Settings	●	●	●*1	●
Reduction Based on Distance	●	●	●*1	●
Line Size Map	●	●	●*1	●
Edge Detection Settings
Outline	●	●	●*1	●
Open Edge	●	●	●*1	●
Object	●	●	●*1	●
Intersection	●	●	●*1	●
Smoothing Boundary	●	●	●*1	●
Material ID Boundary	●	●	●*1	●
Selected Edge	●	●	●*1	-
Normal Angle	●	●	●*1	●
Wire	●	●	●*1	●
Pencil+ 4 Line Renderer	●	●	-	-
Pencil+ 4 Line Window	-	●	-	-
Pencil+ 4 Line Render Button	-	●	-	-
Show Lines in Viewport	-	●	-	-
Rendering Scale	-	-	●	-
Z Depth	●	●	●	●
Screen Effect	-	-	●	-
Ignore Object List	-	-	-	●
Double Sided Material Line List	-	-	-	●

Modifiers
	3ds Max	Maya	After Effects	Unity
Perspective Deform Modifier	●	-	-	-
Normal Copy Modifier	●	-	-	-
Select Edge Modifier	●	●*3	-	-

File Output
	3ds Max	Maya	After Effects	Unity
Material Render Elements Output	●	-	-	-
Line Render Elements Output	●	●	-	●
Line EPS Format Output	●	●	-	-
Line PLD Format Output	●	●	-	-

*1 The After Effects version requires PLD files output by the 3ds Max or Maya version. Line settings, such displaying / hiding line sets, specifying edited line sets, displaying / hiding edges, specifying edited edges, etc. can be re-edited based on the data included in PLD files.

*2 The Unity version has no Material functionality, but Line Functions can be set by using Material Line Functions List.

*3 In Maya, edge selection using sets is supported.

Pencil+ 4 Utilities

	3ds Max	Maya	After Effects	Unity
Pencil+ 4 Bridge	●	●	-	●*1
Network Rendering Plugin	●	●	●*2	-
Pencil+ 4 Spreadsheet	●	-	-	-
Pencil+ 4 Converter	●	-	-	-
Pencil+ 4 Line Thumbnail Extension	●*3	●*3	●*3	-

*1 Only supports importing / exporting Line data.

*2 There is no rendering plugin for the After Effects version. However, distributed rendering using folder monitoring is supported by installing the plugin on each rendering PC.

*3 Pencil+ 4 Line Thumbnail Extension is an extension for showing thumbnails of PLD files in Windows Explorer.

Last updated 2022/06/23 Article Link

Where can I find sample files?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

Please click [Sample Files] under [Pencil+ 4] in the 3ds Max menu.

Last updated 2019/08/27 Article Link
When animating, is there a way to stabilize the line thickness when using [Stroke Size Reduction]?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

Please use a [Size Map].
[Stroke Size Reduction] uses screen space as the basis for computing lines. Because of this, depending on the curve settings, lines can look unstable when animating.
[Size Map] uses the object's UV coordinates to specify line thickness, so stable lines can be drawn when animating.
Please have a look at the [Size Map] sample file "LineSizeMap_1.max" installed with the plugin.

Last updated 2019/08/27 Article Link
Pencil+ Material is not visible in the Material Editor.

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

Set the renderer to [Default Scanline Renderer].
When the mental ray renderer is selected, materials that cannot be used with mental ray are not displayed in the [Material/Map Browser] overview.

Last updated 2017/05/08 Article Link
Are there limitations for network rendering?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

There is no limit on the number of servers and processors used when doing network rendering using Backburner. Unrestricted rendering can also be performed when Max is launched with Backburner.

Last updated 2017/05/10 Article Link
Can Pencil+ 3 data be converted to Pencil+ 4?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

Using the utility plugin "PSOFT Pencil+ 4 Converter", Pencil+ 3 data can be converted to Pencil+ 4.

PSOFT Pencil+ 4 Converter is a utility plugin used to convert materials created with Pencil+ 3 material / standard material to Pencil+ 4 materials, or to convert Pencil+ 3 Lines to Pencil+ 4 Lines.

Download the utility plugin here.

Last updated 2017/05/11 Article Link
The Pencil+ settings are not saved in the rendering options presets.

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

Pencil+ cannot handle this functionality due to the 3ds Max specifications, so this is the normal behavior.
There are similar problems when reading effects with the [Effects]'s [Merge] button and when saving the scene state. Similar problems also occur for standard 3ds Max functionality due to the fact that Max is not able to handle objects and materials in [Effects].

Pencil+ Line uses the [Pencil+ Line Merge Helper] to merge effects in order to work around this limitation in Max.

Last updated 2017/05/10 Article Link
Can I render materials without antialiasing?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

To output materials without antialiasing, use the standard [Render Output] without using Render Elements. If you uncheck [Render Scene] dialog > [Render] tab > [Antialiasing], Render Elements are not output correctly due to the way 3ds Max's [Scanline Renderer] works.

Please note that Render Elements cannot be output when [Antialiasing] is off regardless of whether Pencil+ is used or not.

Last updated 2017/05/10 Article Link
An error dialog about a duplicate plug-in path is displayed.

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

Class <***> from <*\Pencil+*_ntr.dlt> has duplicate class ID: not loading. This may be due to a duplicate plug-in path. Continue showing warnings?

If you see the error message above, it is probably because the demo or network rendering plugin was previously installed. If you previously installed the demo version, please uninstall it. If you previously installed the network rendering plugin, please move the file with a name like [Pencil+*_20**_ntr.dlt] in the 3ds Max plugins folder (see below) to another folder, or delete it if not needed.

Example path for the 3ds Max plugins folder: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2017\plugins\

Last updated 2017/05/10 Article Link
Can I convert my data to Pencil+ 4 without installing Pencil+ 3?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

Since parameters cannot be referenced in 3ds Max, the conversion is not possible. Please install Pencil+ 3 or Pencil+ 3 (Ver4 Bundle).

Last updated 2017/05/11 Article Link
Is data compatible between Pencil+ 3 and Pencil+ 4?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max
From Pencil+ 3 to Pencil+ 4:
Pencil+ 3 data can be converted to Pencil+ 4 with PSOFT Pencil+ 4 Converter.

PSOFT Pencil+ 4 Converter
https://www.psoft.co.jp/en/download/pencil/?id=pmc

From Pencil+ 4 to Pencil+ 3:
Data cannot be transferred from Pencil+ 4 to Pencil+ 3. Data configured using Pencil+ 4 must be used with Pencil+ 4.
Last updated 2017/06/30 Article Link
Can the plugin be used for network rendering?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max
Pencil+ supports network rendering with Backburner. Also, there is no limit on the number of server PCs used for network rendering.
To perform network rendering, you must install the special network rendering plugin on the server PCs. For more details, please refer to the section about network rendering in the product documentation.

The host PC must use an authorized copy of Pencil+ or acquire a valid Pencil+ license.

The network rendering plugin can be downloaded from the “Download” section of the PSOFT User Page.

Network rendering is not supported for [Stroke Animation/Apply in Motion Only] and [Line Animation/Apply in Motion Only].

Network Rendering Setup Diagram
Last updated 2017/05/11 Article Link
Do Lines support scripting?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

Scripting is supported. You can display an overview of MAXScript properties with the function showProperties(). Use the following to show an overview of the Line properties.

showProperties(Pencil_4_Line())
You can also use MAXScript Listener's Macro Recorder to see how properties are changed when performing operations on the graphical user interface.
Please have a look at the script samples in the Tutorials section.

Last updated 2017/05/11 Article Link
Do you plan to add support for outputting to the DXF format?

Pencil+ 4 for Maya Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

We do not plan to add support for the DXF format.
We recommend using Illustrator to convert from EPS to DXF.

If you need to convert multiple files automatically, please try Illustrator's [Batch] feature. The following URL gives an example for converting EPS to PDF, but you could do the same to export to DXF.
https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/convert-multiple-ai-files-eps.html

Last updated 2019/04/04 Article Link

Installation

Silent install and uninstall.

Pencil+ 4 for Maya Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max
Silent Install

Start a silent install by executing the following command in the command prompt.

"setup_***.exe" /SILENT

* Replace "setup_***.exe" above with the actual installer file name.

The options /SILENT and /VERYSILENT are available for silent installs. (When /VERYSILENT is used, the installation progress display is also disabled.)

The option /COMPONENTS can be used to specify installation target products. The plugin will only be installed for the specified products.

In the example below, the plugin will only be installed for Maya 2016.5 and Maya 2017. (If a specified product version cannot be found, that version of the plugin will not be installed.)

"setup_***.exe" /COMPONENTS="Maya2016_5,Maya2017" /SILENT

* The command is not case sensitive.
When the /COMPONENTS option is not used, the plugin is installed for every installed product version.

Product Versions and Matching Component Names

Maya Version 2016 2016.5 2017 2018 2019 2020

Component Name Maya2016 Maya2016_5 Maya2017 Maya2018 Maya2019 Maya2020

3ds Max Version 2017 2018 2019 2020

Component Name Max2017 Max2018 Max2019 Max2020

Please refer to the following page for other available options.
http://www.jrsoftware.org/ishelp/index.php?topic=setupcmdline

Silent Uninstall

Start a silent uninstall by executing the following command in the command prompt.

"C:\Program Files\PSOFT\ProductName\uninstall\unins000.exe" /SILENT

The uninstaller is usually created in the folder C:\Program Files\PSOFT\ProductName\uninstall where "ProductName" is the name of the product.

Please refer to the following page for other available options.
http://www.jrsoftware.org/ishelp/index.php?topic=uninstcmdline

You can also uninstall by using the following commands.

For 3ds Max

cmd /c "for /F "tokens=1,2,*" %I in ('reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{8FAB6E07-1B66-4BF8-8AD1-9045BF5B1120}_is1" /v "QuietUninstallString" /reg:64') do %K"

For Maya

cmd /c "for /F "tokens=1,2,*" %I in ('reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{6D19AF5C-7C20-4295-BD7B-5BA37A3F4311}_is1" /v "QuietUninstallString" /reg:64') do %K"
Last updated 2020/03/05 Article Link

Maya Version	2016	2016.5	2017	2018	2019	2020
Component Name	Maya2016	Maya2016_5	Maya2017	Maya2018	Maya2019	Maya2020

3ds Max Version	2017	2018	2019	2020
Component Name	Max2017	Max2018	Max2019	Max2020

Compatibility between Pencil+ versions and 3ds Max versions.

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3 Pencil+ 2

Pencil+ 4

	3ds Max
	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
4.2.2	-	-	-	-	-
4.2.1	-	-	-	-					-
4.2.0	-	-	-					-	-
4.1.2	-	-					-	-	-
4.1.1						-	-	-	-
4.1.0						-	-	-	-
4.0.0					-	-	-	-	-

[] = Supported. [-] = Not supported / Not compatible.

Pencil+ 3

	3ds Max
	2008 32/64bit	2009 32/64bit	2010 32/64bit	2011 32/64bit	2012 32/64bit	2013 32/64bit	2014 64bit	2015 64bit	2016 64bit	2017 64bit
3.11	-	-	-	-	-	64bit only
3.10	-	-	-	-	-	64bit only				-
3.09	-	-	-	-	64bit only	64bit only			-	-
3.08	-	-						-	-	-
3.07	-	-					-	-	-	-
3.06	-	-					-	-	-	-
3.05	-	-					-	-	-	-
3.04						-	-	-	-	-
3.02						-	-	-	-	-
3.01					-	-	-	-	-	-
3.0					-	-	-	-	-	-

[] = Supported. [-] = Not supported / Not compatible.

Pencil+ 2

	3ds Max
	6	7	8	9	2008	2009	2010
2.6	-	-	-
2.5	-	-	-				-
2.2	-	-	-				-
2.1						-	-
2.09				-	-	-	-
2.01				-	-	-	-
2.0				-	-	-	-

[] = Supported. [-] = Not supported / Not compatible.

Last updated 2022/07/06 Article Link

I can't install Pencil+ after installing a new version of 3ds Max.

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

If Pencil+ is already installed on a computer and you newly install a different version of 3ds Max, you will need to uninstall and then re-install Pencil+.

Last updated 2017/06/27 Article Link
How do I install the network rendering plugin?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

Copy the plugin file matching your version of 3ds Max [Pencil+4_20xx_ntr.dlt] (or Pencil+3_ntr_20xx_64.dlt for Pencil+ 3) to the 3ds Max [plugins] folder.

Example installation path: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 20xx\plugins\

Last updated 2017/06/27 Article Link
Is there an English / Japanese version of Pencil+?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

The Pencil+ user interface can be displayed in English or Japanese. The language used automatically switches to the language of the 3ds Max user interface.

Last updated 2017/06/27 Article Link
Pencil+ 3 (Ver4 Bundle) does not work.

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

It is necessary to have an authorized license of Pencil+ 4 available on the 3ds Max version where you wish to use Pencil+ 3 (Ver4 Bundle).

Please note that Pencil+ 3 (Ver4 Bundle) cannot be used without first installing Pencil+ 4.

Last updated 2017/06/27 Article Link

Licenses

Can I use Pencil+ 3 after purchasing or upgrading to Pencil+ 4?

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

You can use Pencil+ 3 with the plugin Pencil+ 3.11 (Ver4 Bundle) provided to users of Pencil+ 4.

Pencil+ 3.11 (Ver4 Bundle) is a plugin that runs using a Pencil+ 4 license. It can be used with 3ds Max 2015 / 2016 / 2017.

Last updated 2018/01/09 Article Link
Can I still use Pencil+ 3 after upgrading to Pencil+ 4.

Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

Upgrading to Pencil+ 4 invalidates the Pencil+ 3 license. However, "Pencil+ 3 (Ver4 Bundle)", which is a Pencil+ 3 plugin that can be run with a Pencil+ 4 license, is included with Pencil+ 4 licenses.

Last updated 2018/01/09 Article Link
Can I transfer my license?

CharacterBox anti-aliasing for AE anti-aliasing for PS Pencil+ 4 for Maya Liquid+Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3 Pencil+ 2 CHRONOStream VOID Modular System

The software may not be transferred, lent or rented to a third party.

Last updated 2019/04/17 Article Link
How can I get previous versions of the plug-in.

Liquid+Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max Pencil+ 3

If you need a previous version of the plug-in which is not available on the User Page, please contact Support through the User Page.

Last updated 2017/06/27 Article Link

General

Material

Line

Modifiers

File Output

Pencil+ 4 Utilities

Network Rendering Setup Diagram

Installation

Silent Install

Product Versions and Matching Component Names

Silent Uninstall

Pencil+ 4

Pencil+ 3

Pencil+ 2

Licenses

for MODO

for Maya

for 3ds Max

for iOS / iPadOS / Android / Huawei

Related Contents

for MODO

for Maya

for 3ds Max