The Ultimate V-Ray All Versions List: History, Evolution, and Key Features

Automated noise evaluation, removing the need for manual, tedious subdivision tweaking on materials and lights.

Tracing the list of V-Ray versions is really a study in how 3D rendering matured from a slow, calculation-heavy task into a fluid, artist-driven process. Several hallmark features changed the game:

Removed tedious manual setup steps, allowing the engine to analyze the scene and optimize itself. V-Ray 5 (2020)

It is crucial to note that V-Ray is primarily a plugin/engine. Therefore, features and versions often correlate heavily with the 3D host application it is running within. Over the years, V-Ray has expanded its ecosystem across a wide variety of platforms:

March 2002 (Initial release for Autodesk 3ds Max).

Used machine learning algorithms to instantly find the correct camera settings.

The latest generation focuses heavily on AI-driven workflows, including AI lighting assistance and Gaussian splat support .

Automatically evaluated scenes to distribute samples where they were needed most.

Advanced masking workflows built directly into the VFB render channels. Supported Host Applications

Arguably the most beloved version for 3ds Max users.

V-Ray's journey from a small Bulgarian startup in 1997 to the industry standard for photorealistic rendering is a story of constant technical evolution. Developed by Chaos (formerly Chaos Group), it has transformed how designers and artists simulate light. The V-Ray Version Timeline

Older versions (pre-2020) are vulnerable to the "V-Ray Scene Server" exploit. Always update to at least V-Ray 5+.