Yes, we know Forest interface is a bit complex, because all features added along years.
But unfortunately we cannot remove any option, because even the most quirky is used for someone. We cannot break compatibility with existing scenes, without causing problems to many customers.
That gives us little options:
- To redesign the interface completely: an huge effort, problems for users who are habituated to the current one, a new interface may not like to everyone. And that will ruin all our video tutorials (documentation can be updated, but videos...).
- A completely new plugin with less options and new interface: not affordable at this time.
For this reason, we decided to improve the current interface in Forest Pack 6, adding collapsable group boxes. In this way, you can choose to hide options that never use.
You can find attached a sample of the new interface, with all group boxes collapsed. Collapsable state is persistent between Max sessions.
Regarding V-Ray displaced surfaces, we suggest to use the Max Displace modifier instead. You can find details
here.
Anyway, we are working to provide a simpler Effect for displaced surfaces in FP6.