Works primarily with the Scanline Renderer and offers a dedicated Nitrous Shader for real-time viewport previews. Key Features for Materials
PSoft Pencil 4 exploited the and Wintab APIs to provide native pressure sensitivity for Wacom tablets—something 3ds Max’s own Shape tools never properly supported. For Max versions 2015 to 2018, this plugin turned a technical 3D environment into a digital napkin.
In the realm of 3D modeling and animation, Autodesk's 3ds Max has long been a stalwart, empowering artists and designers to bring their most ambitious visions to life. For professionals and hobbyists alike, the software's versatility and extensive feature set make it an indispensable tool. However, to truly harness its potential, especially in tasks requiring precision and a nuanced touch, specialized plugins can make all the difference. One such plugin that has garnered significant attention within the 3ds Max community is the Psoft Pencil 4, specifically designed for 3ds Max versions 2015 through 2018 on Windows.
Lines are managed as an effect within the environment settings rather than a material property.
Open the Environment and Effects dialog ( Shortcut: 8 ). Under the "Effects" tab, add Pencil 4 Line . This activates the global line rendering engine.
You can customize the "personality" of your lines using built-in modifiers:
Discover the new features and powerful rendering capabilities of PSOFT Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max: PSOFT Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max New Features P SOFTHOUSE PSOFT Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max / Improved Usability P SOFTHOUSE PSOFT Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max / Material Penetration P SOFTHOUSE
The technical requirements for this version of the plugin are modest by today's standards, mirroring those of the host 3ds Max applications themselves. You will need:
is a cornerstone tool for any artist focused on high-end, non-photorealistic, or cel-shaded animation. Its ability to produce high-quality, detailed lines and materials, combined with significantly faster rendering speeds and real-time viewport feedback, makes it a top investment.
Replaces standard shading with flat cel-shading, hatching textures via Stroke Maps, and crescent-shaped highlight designs.
Released with a focus on speed and productivity, Pencil+ 4 introduced significant upgrades over its predecessor. Here are the standout features that make it a "top" choice for 3ds Max 2015–2018: 1. Massive Speed Increases (Multithreaded Rendering)
Lines can be rendered as separate elements or layers. You can export lines as EPS vector files, which are ideal for further composition or print work in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. How to Get Started with Pencil 4
for 3ds Max is a specialized non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) plugin used extensively in the Japanese animation and film industry. It is specifically designed to replicate the appearance of hand-drawn pencil sketches, pen-and-ink drawings, and cel animation within a 3D environment. 💻 Compatibility & Support
Workflow integration (3ds Max 2015–2018, Windows)