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General Category => General CG Discussion => Topic started by: Basshunter on 2021-04-10, 04:42:17

Title: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: Basshunter on 2021-04-10, 04:42:17

I've been trying to use Photoshop to post-process my EXR renders just like I'd do with DNG files. You know better than me the difficulties of this, since Adobe Camera Raw does not support 32 EXR files. My current workaround is to check the "Use adobe Camera Raw to convert documents from 32 bit to 16/8 bit" option in Photoshop preferences. This way, every time I load a 32 bit EXR render in Photoshop and change from 32 bit to 8 bit, Photoshop will launch ACR in order to tonemap the image. 

However, after messing around with this method for a while, I've started to question myself wheatear this is really working or not since it doesn't really feel like editing a real RAW image. I mean, am I really being able to access the whole dynamic range of the EXR using this workaround? If you have already tried this method, I'd love to hear your thoughts about it.

SG

Title: Re: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: davetwo on 2021-05-10, 13:23:42

Have you thought about giving Affinity Photo a try? its cheap and has full exr support.
Every workaround I've tried with PS has not ended well :(

https://affinity.help/photo/en-US.lproj/index.html?page=pages/HDR/openexr.html?title=32-bit%20OpenEXR%20support

Title: Re: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: maru on 2021-05-10, 14:23:02

Darktable is free and offers 32-bit EXR editing (I have no idea how good it is though, I only used it for usual camera RAWs).

Title: Re: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: piotrus3333 on 2021-05-10, 14:47:59

agreed on Affinity Photo. even version for ipad with simple curves adjustment layer can do more in regards to tonemapping than full Photoshop.

years ago I was using ArionFX plugin (for PS) and it was very decent.

Title: Re: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: davetwo on 2021-05-10, 17:39:09

Also I just notices that Affinity is on half price at 25 euro for a perpetual licence - which is pretty much giving it away!

Title: Re: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: Basshunter on 2021-05-11, 22:12:38

Yeah, I guess I'll have to accept that Photoshop/ACR is not meant to be used for 32bit EXR editing. I really like the simplicity of ACR but maybe it's time to try something different like the options you guys mentioned.

Title: Re: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: twoheads on 2021-05-11, 23:41:38

affinity photo +

Title: Re: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: piotrus3333 on 2021-05-12, 11:03:48

also - if the only goal you are after is the ability to access full hdr of a render in post you might consider converting it from linear to any log color first. this would be 16 bit document in PS and all the tools would be available.

Title: Re: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: piotrus3333 on 2021-05-18, 22:57:04

bit of an update - after playing with Affinity a bit I found a solution that should make non-destructive tone mapping in PS a little easier:

Title: Re: Using Adobe Camera Raw to post-process EXR renders
Post by: leo_surrealismo on 2021-05-19, 20:51:25

Quote from: piotrus3333 on 2021-05-18, 22:57:04

bit of an update - after playing with Affinity a bit I found a solution that should make non-destructive tone mapping in PS a little easier:

thanks for sharing!