VRay Blend and masks

[NicoC]

Hello,

There is a problem I'm facing regularly and that, in my opinion, shouldn't happen.
For years, I've taken the habit to use only one bitmap, for RGB data and Alpha, let's say a TIF file. This way, when I need to use it as a mask, I simply switch Mono Channel Output to Alpha, thus using the bitmap as a "pure" mask. This doesn't work with VRay Blend, in Blend Amount slot: one has to put there a separated mask file ... not handy if you ask me all the more that this method works a expected everywhere else in 3dsmax.

Any chance to get this solved, please ?

Thanks in advance,

Regards.

[NicoC]

No one for this one ?

[tashko.zashev]

Hi Nicolas,

Currently the V-Ray blend mask slot uses the bitmap image RGB channel and the Mono channel output is ignored. I will see if we can fix this.
Meanwhile you can still use the same Tiff file but loaded from our V-Ray HDRI. Here is an example:

[NicoC]

Hello,

Thanks for your answer, and for the workaround as well.
To be honest, I'd rather get the current limitation solved, but I guess we can use VRay HDRI map meanwhile.

Thanks again,

Regards.

[vlado]

I can't really solve this. The blend amount is a color, not a single number, so using the Mono output makes no sense.

Best regards,
Vlado

[tashko.zashev]

Edit: Just saw that Vlado has already replied

[NicoC]

The blend amount is a color, not a single number, so using the Mono output makes no sense.
Vlado

Well, yes and no
If we consider Blend Amount as a mask, it should handle Mono Channel Output (ie Alpha channel) properly. 3dsmax's Blend material's Mask slot does.
While I understand what you mean, I don't agree

[vlado]

We could add an option to treat the maps as mono maps, but I don't see much point really... I'm open to persuasion though

Best regards,
Vlado

[NicoC]

ahahah
To be honest, I won't harrass you with that - I was more surprised by this limitation than really stucked because of it. The fact is that we need VRay Blend material very very often, and I want a workflow as smooth as possible with it.
Now that I have at least 2 workarounds, it's ok. If you ask me, I'd rather you guys work on more important stuff

By the way, little question, about VRay Blend again: shouldn't the Blend Amount color slot be ignored as long as we put a map in Blend Amount slot ? maybe I misunderstand something, but isn't that a bit confusing to get the color slot, the map slot and the spinner ? don't get me wrong, but since we use this material more and more often, I want to be sure we use it 100% properly :P

Thanks anyway for the feedback.

Cheers.