Umbra

Hmm, I don't see a point in getting something like Octane/Vray inside of 3DCoat. Is it just for better quick renders and material preview? I have my doubts the developers are integrating and allowing any further shader network manipulation similar to other DCC apps and renderer plugins. Most concept artists, I imagine, are comfortable already with pushing models and texture maps out of 3DCoat into other rendering dedicated software. This will just lead more requests in users desiring a more general and broader 3D package with 3DCoat. Can the developers really support that change in direction? What kind of refactoring is required on that? There's a lot more to be considered. I highly doubt it would be 'free', and it would be something Pilgway would have to consider into their licensing pricing. I also don't expect out of the popular rendering software companies to be supporting a 3DCoat implementation in the long run - especially a company like Chaos Group, so I doubt it's them as an option. Maybe if I understood the intention of this kind of implementation more than as a general question this would make more sense for me.

I agree with this sentiment. Unfortunately, I think this would require some major refactoring of the UI code, but I too hope for integrated pie menus. Maybe something can be done with Python... I have used AutoHotPie with success. It sometimes doesn't always trigger the hotkey sent, but you can repeat the action quick enough that the time that is taken isn't an issue. Pie menus also do add some further familiarity for some users, especially those like you mentioned that favor Blender/Maya as their main DCC of choice.