If you want Corona 11 features, you must upgrade to:
No software is perfect. As of this writing, the Chaos team acknowledges: Corona Renderer 11 Hotfix 2 for 3DS MAX 2016-20...
These are minor quirks; no showstoppers for production work. If you want Corona 11 features, you must upgrade to:
| User Type | Recommendation | |-----------|----------------| | Using Corona 10 on MAX 2022-2025 | Yes – The Pattern Modifier and Curve controls are worth it, and Hotfix 2 fixes initial instability. | | Using Corona 11.0 (initial) on any Max | Immediate upgrade – Hotfix 2 is stable, faster, and less memory-hungry. | | On MAX 2016-2019 with Corona 9 | Consider upgrade – You gain modern features, but test your old scenes first due to minor shader differences. | | Strictly MAX 2025 only | Absolutely – Hotfix 2 is the only fully stable build for Max 2025. | No software is perfect
| Your Current Setup | Recommendation | | :--- | :--- | | Corona 10 + Max 2022 | Yes. The Physical Material v2 and ACES tonemapping alone are worth it. | | Corona 9 + Max 2016 | Cautiously yes. This is your last chance to get new features on Max 2016. | | Corona 11 RTM | Yes immediately. Hotfix 2 fixes DR instability and memory leaks. | | Corona 12 Beta | No. Stick with the beta if you need future features; Hotfix 2 is older. | | V-Ray users | Maybe. Use the Corona <-> V-Ray Converter (included in Hotfix 2) to test the waters. |
Corona Renderer 11.2 (HF2) is the last version that supports 3ds Max 2016.
Corona 12 (released later) drops Max 2016 support. So if you stay on Max 2016, Corona 11 HF2 is your final compatible version.