3ds Max 2018.2 Update new features

Top image: courtesy of Sergio Mereces

The Freehand Spline allows you to create hand-drawn splines directly in the viewport.

The Spline Influence Modifier allows you to create a soft selection of spline knots based on their proximity to specified objects.

The Spline Mirror Modifier allows you to easily duplicate a spline along a specified axis. Duplicates any present normals.

The Spline Morph Modifier allows you to blend between different shapes. Two methods available: progressive and blended.

The Spline Overlap Modifier detects self-overlapping splines and adjusts the displacement of the intersecting segments.

The Spline Relax Modifier smooths out splines by relaxing knot positions and/or handles.

The Optimize Spline Modifier reduces the number of knots and adjusts their handles to optimally reproduce the original spline as closely as possible.

The Influence Helper allows you to easily select vertices and apply proximity based falloffs to effects.

Enhancements and Changes

• PathDeform ModifierThe PathDeform modifier now works in object space and can also push the materials onto the geometry based on the materials applied to segments.
• Normalize Spline ModifierThe Normalize Spline modifier now gives you more options to make your splines even out.
• UVW Unwrap ModifierThe top UVW Unwrap Modifier defects submitted and nominated by the user community have been fixed in a continuing commitment to quality.
• CAD based importCAD based imports through ATF now have an average 30% reduction in conversion times.
• ViewportsComplex scenes, such as a commercial airliner interior with hundreds of seats, can now be used and manipulated in the viewports.

More info: 3ds Max documentation