In brief
- V-Ray 7 Update 5 adds AI Assistant to the V-Ray interface, image search to Chaos Cosmos, and 3D model generation from a single reference image.
- The update adds AMD graphics card support for V-Ray GPU through HIP.
- Vantage gains Gaussian Splat lighting, image variation generation with Veras, and the ability to import Anima projects.
- Veras 5.3’s node-based workflows are available only in the standalone Veras app.
Chaos announced V-Ray 7 Update 5 on its blog on 5 November 2026. The update brings together AI-assisted production, lighting and volumetric controls, and real-time presentations with new features across V-Ray, Chaos Cosmos, Vantage, Anima, and Veras. The company describes it as a release designed to reduce manual work and give production teams more control.
AI comes to scene and asset workflows
AI Assistant in the V-Ray interface helps users get guidance while they work, explore lighting ideas, and find asset suggestions for a scene. Sky Match can match scene lighting and atmosphere to a reference image. The assistant is available in V-Ray for SketchUp, Rhino, and 3ds Max.
Image-based search, added to Chaos Cosmos, is designed to help users find similar models and materials in the library using a reference image. If the required asset isn’t in the library, users can also generate a usable 3D model from a single 2D reference image. Both features work with the SketchUp, Rhino, and 3ds Max versions of V-Ray.
MCP servers added for V-Ray and Cosmos allow compatible AI agents to inspect scene information, adjust render settings, and find and place Cosmos assets. According to Chaos, V-Ray MCP is available for SketchUp and Rhino; 3ds Max has third-party MCP support. An MCP server for Vantage will be available later.
Lighting, volumetrics, and material control
The new native V-Ray Spotlight in 3ds Max provides control over directional lighting and light projection through volumes. Spotlight improvements in SketchUp and Rhino make it possible to shape and define the boundaries of light beams using barn doors. A new cylindrical light source for applications such as neon and architectural strip lighting offers adjustable length and radius parameters.
For volumetric work, the new V-Ray Volume Object and Volume Shader let users control multiple objects together through settings such as density, color, and emission. TyFlow Inferno simulations can also be rendered directly, without exporting and importing VDB files. This support covers effects such as smoke, fire, and explosions.
On the materials front, there are Node Material Editor improvements for SketchUp and Rhino. Users can preview materials without rendering the full scene, duplicate nodes, add to existing connections, and connect displacement directly to a material. V-Ray GPU also supports AMD graphics cards through the HIP platform. Chaos also mentions 16 GB VRAM options as part of this hardware flexibility.
What’s new in Vantage, Anima, and Veras
The Vantage update improves viewport rendering in SketchUp and Rhino and supports cluster painting with grass and water presets. Lighting for Gaussian Splat assets can be adjusted to match digital light sources in the scene and day-night environments. Image style variations generated with Veras can also be reviewed from the viewport. Anima projects can be imported directly into Vantage, making it possible to add crowds to scenes.
AI-powered pathfinding added to Anima lets characters follow routes through a scene while accounting for slopes and obstacles. Points set with the Waypoint tool can guide character movement. Chaos also announced 240 new animated 4D character models.
With the NODES tab in Veras 5.3, users can connect nodes to build workflows that include image and video generation, analysis, and parametric 3D geometry creation. The feature is currently available only in the standalone Veras app. The app’s Agent mode aims to generate models containing building elements using up to 12 references. Chaos Arena, which is designed to bring V-Ray scenes into LED wall productions, is another area covered by the update.
Impact on architecture and visualization workflows
For architectural visualization teams, the practical impact of the update is the expansion of different stages—from asset search and scene lighting to real-time presentation—within the same product family. Cosmos image search and model generation offer a reference-led workflow, while Gaussian Splat lighting in Vantage focuses on adjusting the lighting of scanned environments alongside 3D scenes. Anima tools can also be used to evaluate human movement and spatial flow in a scene.
Before adopting the update, check the version of the main software in use and which application supports each feature. For example, Veras node workflows are limited to the standalone app, while V-Ray MCP support varies by host application. AMD GPU support runs through HIP; compatibility and memory requirements should be verified separately when selecting hardware. The announcement does not specify pricing or licensing terms.
Sources
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For architecture firms and visualization teams in Turkey, a key strength of the update is that it addresses different needs—from reference searches and scene preparation to real-time presentations—in a single release. Image-based asset search and environment lighting in Vantage, in particular, could save time on repetitive tasks.
However, not every new feature works in the same application, so it’s important to check feature and software compatibility before updating an existing workflow. AMD GPU support is also notable for its hardware flexibility, but teams should test their existing cards, HIP compatibility, and VRAM requirements with their own scenes. Since the announcement does not include pricing or licensing terms, investment assessments cannot be considered complete until that information is available.
Frequently asked questions
Which software includes AI Assistant in V-Ray 7 Update 5?
AI Assistant is available in the SketchUp, Rhino, and 3ds Max versions of V-Ray. Sky Match can match scene lighting and atmosphere to a reference image.
Does V-Ray 7 Update 5 support AMD graphics cards?
Yes. V-Ray GPU supports AMD graphics cards through the HIP platform. Chaos also mentions 16 GB VRAM options.
Where can you use the NODES feature in Veras 5.3?
The NODES tab is currently available only in the standalone Veras app. Node-based workflows cover image and video generation, analysis, and parametric 3D geometry creation.
