Having some problems, Need help with EXR workflow...

[danb4026]

Firstly, what do I need to do to save out an 32 bit EXR file as a ProEXR so I can load into photoshop with all of the renderelements included as layers? It is not a listed format.

If I save it as an 32 bit OpenEXR it opens in Photoshop, but only as a single base layer with no elements. Is there a way to save as a ProEXR directly from Max?

 

Secondly, what is the preferred workflow in getting the 32 bit image down to 16bit when its time to start using curves etc? I am finding that the image goes thru a fairly dramatic change when simply switching over to 16 bit.

[RyderSK]

Hi Daniel,

 

concerning the 32---)16bit, PS indeed forces you to tonemap using the HDR tool, but you can choose "Exposure and Gamma preset" and it will stay intact. This is the only option when no color changes occur. You can also apply curves in 32bit mode if you have Magic Bullet Looks plugin installed within PS.

 

There is no ProExr format, that is just plugin for Photoshop to read out the additional info. Make sure you save these layers into .exr when saving in Max.

[danb4026]

Thanks for the reply. Do I need to save the file at out as Vray Raw Image File in order to open as a ProEXR in PS?

[RyderSK]

No, the vrimg format is just for incremental saving and some framebuffer memory saving I guess too. Did you install the ProExr plugin properly for your Photoshop/AfterEffects version ?

[danb4026]

Well, I was able to get all of the elements to load into one PS file by rendering to a vrimg and selecting EXR as my format. So that worked. The trick of using the HDR toning was something that I totally forgot about and your tip was very helpful.

[Francisco Penaloza]

Yes the way you save EXR with multi layers out of VRay is use the VRay buffer and instead of select vrim you select EXR, remember to check 32 bits check box at the bottom.

Photoshop is not really optimized to work in 32 bits though unless you use Magic bullet plug in or something similar. Now if you import one single EXR image and try to downgrade to 16 bit will pop the tone mapping window, but if you load a multi layer EXR and change to 16 bit this wont happen... strange hum?