Chaos Corona Forum

Chaos Corona for Cinema 4D => [C4D] I need help! => Topic started by: ShynnSup on 2022-01-02, 06:44:42

Title: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: ShynnSup on 2022-01-02, 06:44:42: I thought the advantage of using OpenEXR was to save all my passes in one single file and be able to use that in PS or other image editing software, but when I click 'save All', an OpenEXR file is created for each pass (z depth, reflec, refra, id, etc.) So... what is so special about OpenEXR besides being 32 bit?

Also, can someone clarify for me which passes do I need to re create the beauty pass? Thanks!
Title: Re: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: burnin on 2022-01-02, 23:00:44: Corona saves all layers in a single file.
Here's how to: TUTORIAL: CESSENTIAL Render Elements (playlist) (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt4UrWcQaAX-j0TUDECYo39zcqPCrsGjz)

Note C4D Render settings:
- Save Regular Image is saved flat / single layer

but other options work fine
+ Save Multipass Image as... EXR / Multilayer (checked)
+ Picture Viewer w/ Layers (checked)
+ Corona VFB
Title: Re: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: ShynnSup on 2022-01-03, 14:19:22: Thanks for the reply.

I am afraid I still was no able to get all my passes in a single EXR file... even with Multi-Layer File checked in Save options... Tried saving from VFB, both as Save and Save All, and also tried setting a max pass count and defining a location to save before rendering.

I am opening the EXR file in Photoshop, and all channels I see are RGB, Red, Green and Blue.

The linked tutorial saves each EXR file separately...
It was useful to realize that all passes under 'Basic' category are the needed ones to replicate the Beauty Pass.

But I have one more doubt, at one point in the tutorial (min 4:12) he says: "to properly compose the images in post you will always need to save them as full float 32 bits per channel".
But yet Corona leaves 16 bit as default value... will it still work fine?
Title: Re: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: davetwo on 2022-01-03, 15:00:35: Photoshop is pretty old fasioned TBH and doesn't read EXR layered data properly. (Ridiculous really, as Affinity does, and that is mega cheap.)
People often use EXR for more more motion based compositing softwares such as Nuke.
There may be no advantage if your workflow is stills in PS
Title: Re: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: TomG on 2022-01-03, 15:27:13: If you are going to do anything with EXRs in Photoshop, always have https://www.exr-io.com/ installed (it's free), otherwise PS is no good with EXRs. May not resolve this issue, but is a must-do anyway.
Title: Re: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: ingemar on 2022-01-04, 14:01:00: Darn, no Mac version… Any good alternatives available for MacOS?
Title: Re: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: Beanzvision on 2022-01-04, 14:05:05: Quote from: ingemar on 2022-01-04, 14:01:00
Darn, no Mac version… Any good alternatives available for MacOS?
Sorry, I'm not sure about that. Maybe write to the creator and request a Mac version?
Title: Re: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: Philw on 2022-01-05, 22:00:53: I use https://www.fnordware.com/ProEXR/
Title: Re: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: ingemar on 2022-01-06, 13:57:25: Thanks! I’ll give it a try.
Title: Re: What is the advantage of using OpenEXR for Passes
Post by: ShynnSup on 2022-01-09, 00:06:51: Regardless of the image editing software, Corona still saves one EXR file for each pass. I am saving from the VFB.