The reason why particles aren't instances is because they're rendered as one object. The vertices within each sphere are instance, but not the topology. I guess we'd need to somehow export the instanced data directly to Octane using their API to be able to do this.

As for motion blur, it is likely not there because the topology of the meshed particles changes with each frame. Some renderers support motion blur on changing topology and we do provide the motion vectors to enable that (for example it works with scanline). You should be able to achieve screen motion blur, but maybe not object one.

To fix the toolbar please remove and re-add it using the Maxscript commands (LucidRemoveToolbar() then LucidAddToolbar()), more info on that here: https://ephere.com/plugins/autodesk/max/lucid/docs/1/Lucid_Toolbar.html#Adding-and-Removing-Toolbar-from-MaxScript

Marsel Khadiyev (Software Developer, EPHERE Inc.)