Output extra images - saving as beauty pass?

Started by FlynnAD, January 18, 2012, 07:24:39 PM

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FlynnAD

Hi all,

In rendering animations, on the render tab "Sequence/Output" there is a slot for "Extra Output Images".

By default, that this slot outputs an alpha channel. Is it possible to use this slot to simply resave the rendered image in another format?

For example, I'm rendering an animation of clouds and sky. I'm saving the primary image as exr because I want the 32-bit channel info. However, whenever you open the exr image in AfterEffects or Photoshop, the result is different than what is shown in the actual TG2's rendered image box. Obviously this is because of the high-dynamic range of the exr. If you save the image as a tif, it ends up as 8-bit only, yet the image opens up in AE or PSD looking just like the TG2 rendered image box.

That said, all I'm trying to do is save an animation as an exr, and at the same time, resave the exact same image as a tif. I was trying this in the "Extra Output Images" slot but I couldn't get it to work.

Thanks,
-Matt

Matt

Hi Matt,

Not in the current version, but we have some changes in the development which will allow you to do this in future. It will be possible to save an 8-bit version (TIF, BMP etc.) through the normal output while also writing the EXR RGB image through the Extra Output Images. That's because we're extending the Extra Output Images to include lots of other elements such as atmosphere and depth buffer, and one of the elements you will be able to enable is the full RGB image. We expect to release this feature in v2.5 some time this year.

Matt
Just because milk is white doesn't mean that clouds are made of milk.

FlynnAD

Thanks for the concrete reply Matt.

For now, it looks like I'll be rendering and saving the exr and forgoing the tif. I don't plan on rendering each animation twice!

bobbystahr

Quote from: Matt on January 18, 2012, 07:56:30 PM
Hi Matt,

Not in the current version, but we have some changes in the development which will allow you to do this in future. It will be possible to save an 8-bit version (TIF, BMP etc.) through the normal output while also writing the EXR RGB image through the Extra Output Images. That's because we're extending the Extra Output Images to include lots of other elements such as atmosphere and depth buffer, and one of the elements you will be able to enable is the full RGB image. We expect to release this feature in v2.5 some time this year.

Matt


getting closer to a multipass output...maybe by the time I have the cash it will be there...thanks for all your diligent work on TG2 Matt...we can never say thanks enough.....
something borrowed,
something Blue.
Ring out the Old.
Bring in the New
Bobby Stahr, Paracosmologist

rcallicotte

So this is Disney World.  Can we live here?

Grassynoel

Is there any info on a possible release for 2.5? I'm trying to work Terragen into our matte pipeline here and some arbitrary outputs would make life a lot easier.

Glenn
Iloura.

D.A. Bentley (SuddenPlanet)

Can someone tell me how to output extra output images other than an Alpha Channel?

Not really anything here about it:
http://www.planetside.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Render_-_Sequence-Output_Tab

Matt mentioned Depth Buffer, and Atmosphere outputs.  Anyone?

For Alpha channel this is what works by default:
temp.IMAGETYPE.%04d.exr

SO I guess I need to know what to put where ti says "IMAGETYPE".  Not sure why leaving this as "IMAGETYPE" outputs Alpha though. 

Derek

digitalguru

#7
http://www.planetside.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Render_Layers_and_Render_Elements#Render_Elements

has a lot of info on this

and my tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihY_kp2rzxg

I don't have Terragen in front of me right now, but I think the option to create a Render Layer is under the Camera slot in the Render node.

Create a new render layer, go to Elements tab, think there's a button to turn everything on (just to test to see them render) and make sure Extra Output Images are turned on in the Render

The "IMAGETYPE" token in the render name will pick up the name for each element rendered out e.g alpha, specular etc.

While I'm here - quick question to Matt or Oshyan - would it be possible in future to include an option to set bit depth separately for data type render elements? Now we have full 32 bit exrs, these would be very useful for zdepth, motion vectors etc, but overkill for the lighting elements which could safely be 16bit.

Also great to see the road map for new versions of Terragen - could deep output in Exr 2.0 ever be an option?

D.A. Bentley (SuddenPlanet)

Thanks DigitalGuru!  I see you have a number of tutorials on YouTube which look very helpful!

I had forgotten about Terragen having Render Elements, so thanks for reminding me.  :)

-Derek


Oshyan

We've talked about Deep EXR output, but it's not currently on the roadmap specifically. I'll file a formal feature request for it though and that way at least it'll be tracked. Same with choice of bit depth per element (though I'm not totally sure how that would be easily implemented in the UI).

- Oshyan

digitalguru


digitalguru

don't think you would have to have a switch per element, but since all the data elements and color elements are in their own groups in UI - could just have a switch for each group?