Alpha solo

[JasonArcher]

Hi all,

You've been tremendously helpful in getting me up to speed on some basics of TG3. If I could, I need to ask for another small pointer or two -- this time on alpha images. Is there currently a method for rendering only the alpha channel? I have been getting clean alphas using the extra image output of a sequence, but I find myself needing to go back and re-render an entire sequence with two distant planet objects turned off in order to exclude them from the alpha. If possible, I'm looking for a method to avoid rendering the final color image along with it in an effort to cut down render time.

[bobbystahr]

If you've bought the full program I think there is a way but not in the Free one. As I only have the Free version you will have to wait a reply from a full owner now I guess.

[Oshyan]

As far as I know TG would need to render the entire scene anyway, to get the right alpha, so it won't save you time, only disk space if you *just* output the alpha.

- Oshyan

[Matt]

You can save time on the re-render by turning off all lights and disabling any shaders that you know won't cause any displacement.

Matt

[JasonArcher]

Thanks all.