I have been comparing the difference between the GG tree models and how the same tree models render in MAX. Turns out there is
quite a difference. I can't make up my mine which I prefer... attachment on the left is image from GG. image on the right is from MAX

There are a few things to consider here. Firstly, if you're just dumping models into MAX, you may not be taking advantage of MAX's PBR system. You may need to tweak a few things, too, to get the look you want as a result. Also, you have a very different sky in the Classic screenshot than the one in MAX. Lighting is affecting your scenes differently between the two. So, you're doing more here than just comparing models in each, you've technically set up some different scenes (even if the differences are fairly minor).

The attachments and comments are not intended as a criticism but as an observation of current conditions.
The models shown are using PBR textures. The trees are custom and the rock is from TGC (GG) PBR supplied images.
I just thought the differences were interesting...

Certainly. Wasn't claiming you were criticizing anything. However, just because the materials are PBR does not mean they are displaying as they should in MAX. The way Classic does PBR is a bit different than MAX. Classic's PBR is ... lacking. So, there may actually be potential for the trees to look even better in MAX, depending on what's going on with with your PBR textures.

Are those different skies- or actually the same? Almost everything I've seen
posted for examples so far in MAX have had the California wildfire smokey
skies look with drabbed down brownish muted colors @ objects.
There's just been a very few *not* as I just stated- which where very nice.

But it almost looks here that GGjr out-colors MAX. If MAX renders all games
with this look, the public response might be to tag MAX as the "Sepia" engine.
I want to call the MAX picture as representing more realistic-- but it's just not.

@GubbyBlips
In the 2 attachments the one on the left is (AS you reference GGJr) That is a general sky pick from umpteen choices. The image on the right was created in MAX which at this time only has three sky options. I don't think we should make any decisions on the quality of images created in MAX yet. Certainly not based on my efforts . I was just trying to explore how to get images from GG into MAX in an alpha edition and also see if my custom trees were going to be messed up.
Again it is too early to make quality decisions based on incomplete software, Just hang in there and play with what we have, it will only get better with age...

Not necessarily, this is up to you, and what you are looking for.



Until GGMax is working 100%, we will not be able to use these settings as expected.