Pre-Render Script Evaluation Order Changes in 3ds Max 2008

The following changes have been made to the evaluation of Pre-Render Scripts in 3ds Max 2008:

Pre-Render Scripts specified in the Render Scene Dialog are now executed before the "Render Begin" timeframe. This means a Pre-Render script can create or modify objects in the scene, and can change any render settings.

This has the following consequences:

• The Pre-Render Script is executed BEFORE any pre-render error or warning messages, including possible cancellation of the render.

• Previously, neither the Pre- nor Post-Render Scripts would be executed if the render was cancelled due to an error. Now both are executed if enabled, regardless of errors. The Post-Render script is executed after the render completes or is cancelled.

• In some circumstances, the output filenames for render elements are modified by the system during the "Render Begin" timeframe. This means the Pre-Render Script is executed too early to have access to the correct filenames of all render elements.

• The Pre-Render Script is executed BEFORE the image sequence file (.imsq or .ifl) is created. This is because creation of the sequence file requires the render element filenames, which are available only after the Pre-Render Script is executed, as explained above.