Is there an official or recommended workflow for using the new Color Management system in 3ds Max 2025+ with Corona Renderer 13? I've looked around and find answers that conflict.
So far, I’ve stuck with the legacy Gamma 2.2 setup because it gives me predictable results. But I know it's time to get familiar with the newer ACES/OCIO-based color management and how it integrates across the viewport, materials, rendering, and saving.
Out of the box, I often run into issues where what I see in the viewport doesn’t match the render, and both differ from the saved image. I’m trying to establish a consistent, predictable workflow—ideally where what I see is what I get when saving a standard JPG (let’s leave 32-bit linear workflows aside for now).
Example of the issue:
Using the legacy Gamma 2.2 workflow:
I import a JPG street photo—looks good in the viewport.
It renders correctly, matches the original.
Saved output is accurate.
Using the new Color Management workflow:
The same image looks washed out in the viewport.
The render comes out darker than the original.
If I tweak the color management settings to fix the background, then my 3D elements look wrong—as if they no longer match the photo.
This inconsistency is making it hard to transition. Has anyone found a solid setup or workflow to ensure predictable results from viewport → render → saved image, especially with standard 8-bit JPGs?
