batch render and render elements

[vikoum]

good afternoon to everyone.

 

I need some advice about batch render and vray elements.

I have in a scene 2 (or more) cameras and I want to render some elements so to post them later in photoshop for more control.

Some days ago I used render elements for one camera and worked pretty fine. I have to say that processing the render elements in photoshop gives pretty amazing pictures. ....But....

Yesterday I tried to put to a scene 2 cameras and tried to store the render elements for each one from a batch render but I failed.

I added all the render elements I wanted and to the batch render I add my cameras. linked them in a a right way, but when I came back and my render was done I realized that to the output path there was only the final rendered image. The render elements was missing.

 

Does batch render with render elements works or I did not do something right?

 

If anyone can help about this topic please do...

 

Thanks...

[BrianKitts]

make sure you are rendering to the 3dsmax buffer and make sure you have the "display elements" option selected. It will pop open buffers for all the elements upon completion of each render and save them out individually.

 

The better route is to write them all into one exr file and get ProEXR to open the file in photoshop with everything packaged together.

[maciejwypych]

If you want to have different output paths for you elements, while using batch render, you need to save a scene state for each camera setup and then set it up in batch render window.

You also can use exr as Brian suggested.

I personally prefer to use backburner instead of batch render. It gives you a better control over rendering jobs.

You don't need a network/server to set it up, just run the server, manager &monitor on your workstation and set max to "net render"

[vikoum]

Thanks Brian for your reply.

I don't use the 3dsmax buffer. About the display elements, this option is on and pop up the windows at the end. I can manage to do this with one camera and no batch. It works fine, although your ProEXR tip, which I didn't know about it I think it will be very usefull.

So if I have one camera, so I don't have to use batch render, instead saving my file as a tga format I choose to save it as an exr. Then I add my elements, and when the render finishes, I have one exr file with all my elements layered ready to use. Right?

 

I also read about the PSDManager. What do you think about it?

[vikoum]

Thanks Maciej for your information, but I have to admit as a newbie with max, I have no idea what do you mean by saying that I have to "save a scene state for each camera setup"???

[BrianKitts]

So if I have one camera, so I don't have to use batch render, instead saving my file as a tga format I choose to save it as an exr. Then I add my elements, and when the render finishes, I have one exr file with all my elements layered ready to use. Right?

 

I also read about the PSDManager. What do you think about it?

 

Right....... assuming you purchase proEXR plugin for photoshop (and you HAVE to use the max buffer for it to work) I typically work with the vraybuffer, and switch to max for final renders to assemble all the channels properly.

 

I've never used PSDManager, never had a need because I've gotten everything I need out of my EXR workflow. PSD Manager is $150, ProEXR is $100 small difference but when the cheaper solution solved the problem I never gave the other a shot to honest.