Chaos releases Corona 16 for 3ds Max and Cinema 4D with Gaussian Splat relighting and Parallax Interiors

Evermotion 2026-11-10 13:59 article > All

Corona 16 adds GPU-accelerated Gaussian Splat relighting and a new Parallax Interiors system that renders furnished rooms behind windows using flat geometry, cutting memory overhead for multifamily and tower facades. New AI Assistant beta helps with mood matching and scattering.

Chaos released Corona 16 for 3ds Max and Cinema 4D on November 4, 2026, bringing GPU-accelerated Gaussian Splat relighting, a new Parallax Interiors system for window interiors, and a beta AI Assistant to the renderer. The release targets archviz workflows where memory overhead and scene complexity constrain production on towers and multifamily buildings.

Video: CG Channel

Gaussian Splats receive scene light; native 3ds Max support and compressed format

Gaussian splats in Corona 16 can now be relit to receive illumination from the scene, making photogrammetry assets more flexible when repurposing them under new lighting setups. According to Chaos, the 3ds Max version adds native support for rendering 3ds Max Gaussian Splats, and both versions support the highly compressed SPZ format for efficient file storage and faster import.

Parallax Interiors sidesteps geometry cost for distant windows

The new Parallax Interiors system creates the appearance of furnished and lit 3D rooms behind windows using only a flat plane. Parallax Displacement mapping, added to the Corona Physical material, offers a memory-efficient alternative to geometry displacement. According to Maverickframe, Parallax Interiors is particularly effective for towers and multifamily facades at dusk, aerials and masterplan views, and animation, but does not replace full modelling for hero windows close to camera or show-apartment views.

Chaos has not published exact memory savings or performance metrics for the Parallax system. A Novedge source cites up to 20 percent memory optimization, though this figure does not appear in the official release notes.

AI Assistant beta offers mood matching and scattering help

Corona 16 includes a new AI Assistant in beta that offers help with product usage, suggestions for improving rendering, mood matching based on an image, and scattering. According to ToolFarm, the AI Assistant is designed to support workflows while leaving creative decisions firmly in the artist's hands. Chaos has not yet published credit costs, cloud requirements, or usage limits for the beta, so treat it as a preview until the vendor releases those details.

Faster Vantage export, reworked sky, and host compatibility

More Corona materials and maps now transfer to Chaos Vantage, and scatter exports without every instance to make export and live link faster. CoronaSky was reworked; older scenes load in legacy mode to preserve their appearance, but skies created in Corona 16 may not match images approved in Corona 15.

Corona 16 for 3ds Max supports ICC color profiles introduced in 3ds Max 2027.2, and the Cinema 4D version adds support for Cinema 4D 2027.