How to configure PROPERLY 3dsmax and Corona to work on Davinci / Aces

[arqrenderz]

Hi, we are in a black hole right now.. we are trying everything to make corona and max work nicely with davinci resolve to color grade cg videos
We are currently stuck at color correctness and full dynamic range, we see one thing in corona VFB and another in davinci, in some tests we have the full dynamic range working in davinci, but the color is way off .WE really need some one that understands this properly!!  (why we need to color grade in davinci / Aces, because in the end a proper cg colorist will handle the files, so we NEED to know the files we are delivering are working as expected !
We need to have the same image on the VFB when using gamma workflow and Other configs, is that even possible ?
Or at least be able to replicate the same image from the gamma workflow in davinci, but the colors are WAY off in davinci....

[Nejc Kilar]

Howdy!

I'm not quite entirely sure what exactly you're trying to replicate in Resolve. Is it the entire stack of operators that you've set up in the Corona VFB or are you just trying to make sure the Linear image (no operators enabled) comes over?

[arqrenderz]

Im trying to replicate the same image with or whitout operators in davinci, so far the only image that looks very similar in VFB and Davinci is the gamma workflow one, but only with all operators in the vfb turned on, i need to have the full dynamic range on davinci to, and also the same colors would be great..
The moment i change max color management to OCIO vfb colors turn really bad..

[maru]

The goal here is to get identical image appearance in the Corona VFB and in Davinci, right? You mentioned "full dynamic range", but what format are you saving to? 

[arqrenderz]

Im using exr 32bits, Im able to have full exposure control in davinci, just like inside the vfb, but the color is way off.

[Nejc Kilar]

So if I understand you correctly then the typical workflow for getting the 32bit EXR over is to first make sure all your tonemapping operators are off (exposure can be on) so that you end up with that beautiful linear image.

Then in Resolve go to the color page and set up a Color space transform node where your input color space is sRGB, input gamma is Linear and both outputs are sRGB.

If you're using the ACES OT operator in the stack you can replicate its effect by bringing in the ACES Transform node and set it to either work in sRGB (Linear) (if you have not done the above) or sRGB (if you've already done the above and just want to put the ACES OT operator effect on top of that).

The way the other operators work however you'll probably have to recreate their effect by hand with Resolve's tools.

Does that help in any shape or form?

[burnin]

Well, .exr results (crn & bmwdr) should match 1:1 even w/ post FX on. Looking similar is simply wrong. Digital Colour is precise science (so we're told) ;)

Care to share your test exr & jpgs (result & reference to match to & analyze)?

[Nejc Kilar]

Well, .exr results (crn & bmwdr) should match 1:1 even w/ post FX on. Looking similar is simply wrong. Digital Colour is precise science (so we're told) ;)

Care to share your test exr & jpgs (result & reference to match to & analyze)?

Yes indeedio, I am assuming full dynamic range here would be a linear EXR. Could be wrong though!

[MetricaVisuals]

Hi thx for the reply, here is that test, dont know why it does not work, i lost dynamic range, the colors look similar, but im looking to have them 100% correct.

So if I understand you correctly then the typical workflow for getting the 32bit EXR over is to first make sure all your tonemapping operators are off (exposure can be on) so that you end up with that beautiful linear image.

Then in Resolve go to the color page and set up a Color space transform node where your input color space is sRGB, input gamma is Linear and both outputs are sRGB.

If you're using the ACES OT operator in the stack you can replicate its effect by bringing in the ACES Transform node and set it to either work in sRGB (Linear) (if you have not done the above) or sRGB (if you've already done the above and just want to put the ACES OT operator effect on top of that).

The way the other operators work however you'll probably have to recreate their effect by hand with Resolve's tools.

Does that help in any shape or form?