How to get Zdepth without enabling on camera DoF?

[Zakkorn]

I am trying to get Z Depth via elements but I have an issue.
I need to have a seperate zdepth channel so I will be able to control the blurriness to another program such in AfterFx or Fusion.

I don't know if I am doing something wrong, but if I have DoF enabled on camera and check the "zdepth use camera clip boundaries" I get zdepth as an element. But its on the beauty image as well.

But if I don't have the enable DoF on camera I don't get zdepth as an element (the zdepth element appears as there is no zdepth)
The only way to get a proper zdepth element rendered, but without the on camera DoF enabled is if I use zmin and max.

Unfortunately this is very complicated as I am doing an animation with a movable camera.

So what is the proper way to get someone zdepth as an element but without to be on the beauty image?

[Morbid Angel]

You don't need dof enabled in camera to get zdepth. You need to render zdepth to float value, and set it clip boundary to be very high, something enough to wrap the distance of your scene. So if your camera travels for example 1000m you'd need to set your depth far enough to cover that distance. Be aware of that if you render in float you should be able to get zdepth no matter what range it has.

[Zakkorn]

Thanks for the advice.

Then the "zdepth use camera clip boundaries" is useless, as for someone to use it he/she has to have DoF enabled on camera thus will negate the ability to change the blurriness in another program. As the scene will already have DoF applied.

[Morne]

Thanks for the advice.

Then the "zdepth use camera clip boundaries" is useless, as for someone to use it he/she has to have DoF enabled on camera thus will negate the ability to change the blurriness in another program. As the scene will already have DoF applied.

No, you use the camera clip boundaries in the camera just to set the boundaries. Then DISABLE it.
In the zdepth element the camera clip will still be used if you tick it here, even though it's disabled in the camera

[Zakkorn]

No, you use the camera clip boundaries in the camera just to set the boundaries. Then DISABLE it.
In the zdepth element the camera clip will still be used if you tick it here, even though it's disabled in the camera

Thats what I said in the 1st post...
That the normal thing would be to use the camera clip boundaries to set the boundaries and then switch off the enable DoF on camera. And the end result should have the zdepth channel with the right info.
But is not working like this. If I switch off the Camera DoF (on camera) while I have the use camera clip boundaries, I am not getting anything on zdepth channel.
Thus this option is uselless.

[Morne]

Which VRay version is this? Because it's working fine for me and has been for years (I havent checked with the latest Beta, but I'm sure it's fine)

[Morne]

In the Zdepth element, are you TICKING the 2nd option there "zdepth use camera clip boundaries"?

[Zakkorn]

Yes I have ticked that.
No its not working.

3.20.03

[vlado]

Would be best to post a scene, I guess, or at least a part of it.

Best regards,
Vlado

[Zakkorn]

I will upload some sample images as soon as my PC finish rendering, as it is rendering at the moment.

[Zakkorn]

As you can see in the images below, while I have DoF enabled on camera and I can see it in the RGB pass, for some reason I cannot seet it in the zdepth channel.
Probably thats why, when I turned off the DoF on camera, while I have the "use the camera boundaries" ticked, I am not getting any appropriate image that looks like zdepth.