Generate preview (Frame Buffer option), don't see any preview being generated ?

[JezUK]

Help file says "Generate preview - this will create a small preview of what is being rendered. If you are not using the V-Ray memory frame buffer"

Did a search in forum on this, last known post (a long time ago) wonders if this option works or not.

I'm sure it must do, yet I just don't see a preview anywhere.

Any ideas ?

[Morne]

How are you expecting it to work? Either I'm not understanding your question, or you're not understanding the feature?

I havent used this feature in a long time. When I did use it however, it was in conjunction with the memory frame bugger unticked. It was needed for me long time ago, because way back the computers didnt have as much RAM as today and so a highres render would often crash the pc. To fix it you would untick memory frame buffer and tick generate preview (you would also untick the max frame buffer)
Lets say for example you render a 6000X4000 image with these settings. Then basically what happens is that you want to save ram and not display the 6000X4000 frame buffer at render time because you only had very little RAM. BUT, you don't completely want to switch off the frame buffer, you want to see what is being rendered.

Your image is then rendered at 6000X4000 and saved to the vrimg file as it renders, but the frame buffer is only displaying a preview of what is being rendered. The preview is at MUCH smaller resolution to save RAM.

But like I said, today RAM is much cheaper and your typical PC has 16GB - 32GB Ram, not 512mb like a few years ago. So for me this feature isn't needed anymore. Maybe if you render 20K or 30K images with plenty elements, then it could still be useful

[JezUK]

Thanks Morne,

That was exactly my understanding and what I was expecting, but I didn't get/see any preview.

Hence my question.

So you understood me correctly and I did too - still, job was finished, and yes, it would have been nice to have seen that preview.....

[Svetlozar Draganov]

It seems that this feature has broken at some point. We've already reported it into our system and we'll update this thread when we have it fixed.
By the way did you get any VFB-window while rendering with Generate Preview ON?

[JezUK]

Hi Svetlozar,

I saw the default 3DS Max Frame Buffer at the full resolution of the render and not the VRay one.

[vlado]

Which V-Ray version are you using? This was broken in 3.00.05 but is fine in 3.00.06 that is now on the web site.

Best regards,
Vlado

[vlado]

Also, keep in mind that if your original image resolution is smaller than your screen resolution, the preview will be with the original resolution. V-Ray scales the preview so that it fits the screen, and if the image is small enough, the preview will end being with the same resolution.

Best regards,
Vlado

[JezUK]

Thanks for all this info Vlado. Point noted regarding monitor resolution (I use dual which across both is 4480, so yes, my render resolution was less than that but more than one monitor).

Plus I am on version 3.00.01 so I will update that.

Kindest regards,