| Excerpt Include | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
The Image Layers group
Global Options
...
Image Layers
...
Default Image Filename
Specifies the default file location for the image layers. By default, the location is based on the scene name, the render pass name and the AOV name. See File Path Expressions for details on how it is possible to construct relative paths and paths containing dynamically expanded tokens.
Default Image Format
Specifies the default file format for the image layers, including the pixel bit depth. The default is 16-bit float EXR files. Many formats are supported and each have specific options for bit depths. Refer to Image File Formats for more details.
Batch Output Mode
Each image layer have a file output toggle controlling wether it should be saved to file during rendering (this is explained below). Since these toggles may be manipulated frequently while working interactively and may be forgotten in a off position when sending the rendering to a render farm (using the Maya Batch command line), the Batch Output Mode controls wether these toggles should be ignored (overridden) when rendering in batch mode. This option is useful to make sure all image layers are saved when rendering using the Maya Batch command line, regardless of the status of the file output toggle. The options are:
...
Enable file output as selected
...
Enable all file output and selected JPEG
___________________________________
...
Interactive Output Mode
The Interactive Output Mode allows to globally control the behaviour of the file output toggles while working during an interactive session. The options are:
...
Enable file output as selected
...
Indicates to output the image layers to file (in interactive mode) only if their corresponding file output toggle are selected. This is the default behaviour.
...
Disable file output
...
Indicates to disable the output of the image layer to file (in interactive mode). Both the regular and JPEG file output toggles will be ignored. This is useful while working interactively and displaying image layers on screen only and to ignore the file output toggle (and possibly let it be used for batch mode only).
...
Enable file output only for selected displays
______________________________________
...
This is an hybrid option. While working interactively, one may be interested to output to file only those image layers that he is actively working on: those that are selected to be displaying on screen. With this option, the image layers will be saved to file only if the display on screen toggle in selected.
...
(AOVs) List
...
The second section of the Image Layers group is
...
used to specify the list all the layers that will be generated during the rendering process (subject to the
...
selected output from Output group). By default, the list is populated with only one image layer, the RGBA ("Beauty") layer. When there are many layers, it is possible to re-order them in the list for organisational purpose (to visually group them). This is done through a middle-click and drag. It is a bit finicky to use though - you need to drop the layer while a line in between two layers is highlighted for the re-order to work. If you drop the layer while another layer is highlighted, nothing happens.
List of Layers (AOVs)
Each layer can be selected to be rendered on screen, image file or both based on the selected output from Output group. If the toggle is disabled, the image layer with its AOV is inactive.
Toggle | Output Destination |
|---|---|
enable layer | Enables the layer to be renedered in a window on screen (aya Render View or 3Delight Display), or image file, based on the output selected from Output group. Unlike 3Delight Display, the Maya Render View does not support to display simultaneously multiple layers. When this toggle is enable for multiple layers, only the first one is displayed. |
Below the list of layers there are four buttons. Except for Add, their function applies to the selected layers in the list:
Add...
For adding layers. The AOV Selector will pop for enabling one or more AOVs. All the AOVs selected in the AOV Selector are presented in the list of layers.
Remove
Select one or more layers in the list and press Remove to remove. Note that the RGBA ("Beauty") layer can not be removed.
Duplicate
Select a layer in the list and press Duplicate to duplicate. You can then change some of the per layer attributes for any of the duplicated layer (otherwise you simply end up with exactly the same Layer/AOV without any difference). For example, you can have two Diffuse layers saved in different file format, or each with a different Pixel Filter or Display Subset (specified in the Advanced groups of attributes).
View...
Select a layer and press View to view it. This opens the Image Filename for that layer in a viewing application. Refer to the 3Delight Preferences for how to select which application should be launched.
Per Layer Attributes
The expanded file name for the selected layer is shown below the Add/Remove/Duplicate/View buttons.
Groups of attributes for a specific Layer