V-Ray for Maya
Installation from zip
Last updated 30 April 2026
Click here for the zip installation setup for earlier versions of V-Ray
Overview
Required steps to run V-Ray
Unpacking the .zip file
Windows
Linux
macOS
V-Ray Material Library Browser
Environment setup
Setup for Maya
Windows
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows | Set | MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\ endererDesc | Needed to run batch rendering with Maya. | set MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\ endererDesc |
Windows | Set | VRAY_FOR_MAYAnnnn_MAIN1 | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray | Loads the V-Ray for Maya plugins. | set VRAY_FOR_MAYA2020_MAIN=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray |
Windows | Set | VRAY_FOR_MAYAnnnn_PLUGINS 1.1 | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\vrayplugins | Loads the V-Ray plugins. | set VRAY_FOR_MAYA2020_PLUGINS=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\vrayplugins |
Windows | Set | VRAY_PLUGINS 2 | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\vrayplugins | Needed for V-Ray Standalone. | set VRAY_PLUGINS=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\vrayplugins |
Windows | Set | VRAY_OSL_PATH_MAYAnnnn 1.2 | <unpacked_zip_location>\vray\opensl | Loads OSL plugins for V-Ray. | set VRAY_OSL_PATH_MAYA2020=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\vray\opensl |
Windows | Extend | PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\bin\hostbin;<unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\bin | Required to run V-Ray itself. | set PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\bin\hostbin;D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\bin;%PATH% |
Windows | Extend | MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\plug-ins | Loads the V-Ray for Maya main plugins. | set MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\plug-ins;%MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH% |
Windows | Extend | MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\scripts | Loads the V-Ray for Maya scripts. | set MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\scripts;%MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH% |
Windows | Extend | MAYA_PRESET_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\presets | Loads the V-Ray material presets. | set MAYA_PRESET_PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\presets;%MAYA_PRESET_PATH% |
Windows | Extend | PYTHONPATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\scripts | Loads the V-Ray python scripts. | set PYTHONPATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\scripts;%PYTHONPATH% |
Windows | Extend | XBMLANGPATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\icons | Loads the V-Ray icons. | set XBMLANGPATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\icons;%XBMLANGPATH% |
Windows | Set | VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH 3 | arbitrary location | Points V-Ray to a V-Ray license. | set VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH=<folder_containing_vrlclient.xml> |
Windows | Extend | MAYA_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\scripts | Loads the node editor and lookdev templates. | set MAYA_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE_PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\scripts;%MAYA_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE_PATH% |
Windows | Set | MAYA_TOOLCLIPS_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\ oolclips | Enables toolclips for V-Ray. | set MAYA_TOOLCLIPS_PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\ oolclips;%MAYA_TOOLCLIPS_PATH% |
Windows | Extend | PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\usdplugins | Loads USD plugins for V-Ray. | set PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\usdplugins:$PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME |
Windows | Set | VRAY_APPSDK_PLUGINS | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\vrayplugins | Loads V-ray App SDK plugins. | set VRAY_APPSDK_PLUGINS=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\vrayplugins |
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows | Set | MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_root\bin\ endererDesc | Needed to run batch rendering with Maya. | set MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_root\bin\ endererDesc |
Windows | Extend | PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_root\bin | Required to run V-Ray itself. | set PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_root\bin;%PATH% |
Linux
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linux | Set | MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/rendererDesc | Needed to run batch rendering with Maya. | export MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/rendererDesc |
Linux | Set | VRAY_FOR_MAYAnnnn_MAIN1.3 | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray | Loads the V-Ray for Maya plugins. | export VRAY_FOR_MAYA2020_MAIN=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray |
Linux | Set | VRAY_FOR_MAYAnnnn_PLUGINS1.4 | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/vrayplugins | Loads the V-Ray plugins. | export VRAY_FOR_MAYA2020_PLUGINS=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/vrayplugins |
Linux | Set | VRAY_PLUGINS2.1 | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/vrayplugins | Needed for V-Ray Standalone. | export VRAY_PLUGINS=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/vrayplugins |
Linux | Set | VRAY_OSL_PATH_MAYAnnnn 1.5 | <unpacked_zip_location>/vray/opensl | Loads OSL plugins for V-Ray. | export VRAY_OSL_PATH_MAYA2020=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/vray/opensl |
Linux | Extend | MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/plug-ins | Loads the V-Ray for Maya main plugins. | export MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/plug-ins:$MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH |
Linux | Extend | MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/scripts | Loads the V-Ray for Maya scripts. | export MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/scripts:$MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH |
Linux | Extend | MAYA_PRESET_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/presets | Loads the V-Ray material presets. | export MAYA_PRESET_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/presets:$MAYA_PRESET_PATH |
Linux | Extend | PYTHONPATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/scripts | Loads the V-Ray python scripts. | export PYTHONPATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/scripts:$PYTHONPATH |
Linux | Extend | XBMLANGPATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/icons/ | Loads the V-Ray icons. | export XBMLANGPATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/icons/%B:$XBMLANGPATH |
Linux | Set | VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH 3.1 | arbitrary location | Points V-Ray to a V-Ray license. | export VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH=<folder_containing_vrlclient.xml> |
Linux | Extend | MAYA_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/scripts | Loads the node editor and lookdev templates. | export MAYA_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/scripts:$MAYA_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE_PATH |
Linux | Set | MAYA_TOOLCLIPS_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/toolclips | Enables toolclips for V-Ray. | export MAYA_TOOLCLIPS_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/toolclips:$MAYA_TOOLCLIPS_PATH |
Linux | Extend | PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/usdplugins | Loads USD plugins for V-Ray. | export PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/usdplugins:$PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME |
Linux | Set | VRAY_APPSDK_PLUGINS | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/vrayplugins | Loads V-Ray App SDK plugins. | export VRAY_APPSDK_PLUGINS=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/vrayplugins |
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linux | Set | MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_root/bin/rendererDesc | Needed to run batch rendering with Maya. | export MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_root/bin/rendererDesc |
Linux | Extend | LD_LIBRARY_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_root/lib | Required to run V-Ray itself. | export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_root/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH |
macOS
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
macOS | Set | MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/rendererDesc | Needed to run batch rendering with Maya. | export MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/rendererDesc |
macOS | Set | VRAY_FOR_MAYAnnnn_MAIN1.6 | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray | Loads the V-Ray for Maya plugins. | export VRAY_FOR_MAYA2020_MAIN=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray |
macOS | Set | VRAY_FOR_MAYAnnnn_PLUGINS1.7 | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/vrayplugins | Loads the V-Ray plugins. | export VRAY_FOR_MAYA2020_PLUGINS=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/vrayplugins |
macOS | Set | VRAY_PLUGINS2.2 | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/vrayplugins | Needed for V-Ray Standalone. | export VRAY_PLUGINS=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/vrayplugins |
macOS | Set | VRAY_OSL_PATH_MAYAnnnn1.8 | <unpacked_zip_location>/vray/opensl | Loads OSL plugins for V-Ray. | export VRAY_OSL_PATH_MAYA2020=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/vray/opensl |
macOS | Extend | MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/plug-ins | Loads the V-Ray for Maya main plugins. | export MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/plug-ins:$MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH |
macOS | Extend | MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/scripts | Loads the V-Ray for Maya scripts. | export MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/scripts:$MAYA_SCRIPT_PATH |
macOS | Extend | MAYA_PRESET_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/presets | Loads the V-Ray material presets. | export MAYA_PRESET_PATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/presets:$MAYA_PRESET_PATH |
macOS | Extend | PYTHONPATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/scripts | Loads the V-Ray python scripts. | export PYTHONPATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/scripts:$PYTHONPATH |
macOS | Extend | XBMLANGPATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/icons | Loads the V-Ray icons. | export XBMLANGPATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/icons:$XBMLANGPATH |
macOS | Set | VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH3.2 | arbitrary location | Points V-Ray to a V-Ray license. | export VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH=<folder_containing_vrlclient.xml> |
macOS | Extend | MAYA_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/scripts | Loads the node editor and lookdev templates. | export MAYA_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE_PATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/scripts:$MAYA_CUSTOM_TEMPLATE_PATH |
macOS | Set | MAYA_TOOLCLIPS_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/toolclips | Enables toolclips for V-Ray. | export MAYA_TOOLCLIPS_PATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/toolclips:$MAYA_TOOLCLIPS_PATH |
macOS | Extend | PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/usdplugins | Loads USD plugins for V-Ray. | export PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/usdplugins:$PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME |
macOS | Set | VRAY_APPSDK_PLUGINS | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/vrayplugins | Loads V-Ray App SDK plugins. | export VRAY_APPSDK_PLUGINS=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/vrayplugins |
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
macOS | Set | MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_root/Maya.app/Contents/bin/rendererDesc/ | Needed to run batch rendering with Maya. | export MAYA_RENDER_DESC_PATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2018/maya_root/bin/rendererDesc |
macOS | Extend | DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_root/Maya.app/Contents/MacOS | Required to run V-Ray itself. | export DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2018/maya_root/Maya.app/Contents/MacOS:$DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH |
Notes:
Setup for V-Ray Standalone
Environment Variables
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows | Set | VRAY_PLUGINS4 | <unpacked_zip_location>\maya_vray\vrayplugins | Needed for V-Ray Standalone. | set VRAY_PLUGINS=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\maya_vray\vrayplugins |
Windows | Set | VRAY_OSL_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\vray\opensl | Loads OSL plugins for V-Ray. | set VRAY_OSL_PATH_MAYA2020=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\vray\opensl |
Windows | Extend | PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>\vray\lib | Required to run V-Ray itself. | set PATH=D:\vray_builds\vray_51020_maya2020\vray\lib;%PATH% |
Windows | Set | VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH5 | arbitrary location | Points V-Ray to a V-Ray license. | set VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH=<folder_containing_vrlclient.xml> |
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linux | Set | VRAY_PLUGINS4.1 | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/vrayplugins | Needed for V-Ray Standalone. | export VRAY_PLUGINS=/opt/vray_builds/maya_vray/vray_51020_maya2020/vrayplugins |
Linux | Set | VRAY_OSL_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/vray/opensl | Loads OSL plugins for V-Ray. | export VRAY_OSL_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/vray/opensl |
Linux | Extend | LD_LIBRARY_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/vray/lib | Required to run V-Ray itself. | export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/opt/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/vray/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH |
Linux | Set | VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH5.1 | arbitrary location | Points V-Ray to a V-Ray license. | export VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH=<folder_containing_vrlclient.xml> |
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|
OS | Action | Variable | Location | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
macOS | Set | VRAY_PLUGINS4.2 | <unpacked_zip_location>/maya_vray/vrayplugins | Needed for V-Ray Standalone. | export VRAY_PLUGINS=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/maya_vray/vrayplugins |
macOS | Set | VRAY_OSL_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/vray/opensl | Loads OSL plugins for V-Ray. | export VRAY_OSL_PATH_MAYA2020=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/vray/opensl |
macOS | Extend | DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH | <unpacked_zip_location>/vray/lib | Required to run V-Ray itself. | export DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH=/vray_builds/vray_51020_maya2020/vray/lib:$DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH |
macOS | Set | VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH5.2 | arbitrary location | Points V-Ray to a V-Ray license. | export VRAY_AUTH_CLIENT_FILE_PATH=<folder_containing_vrlclient.xml> |