When use linear image?

[Juan Ferreira]

Hi, now that I have free time I am trying to understand some aspects of Vray that I do not understand. In this case it is the issue of when to use images in linear mode. I have been reading, studying the Cosmos Vray materials and watching some tutorials and I have some doubts on the subject.
Perhaps it is a beginner's question and the answer is excessively complicated but I want to try to understand how to use the maps.

I don't mean the normal maps which are always in linear mode

METAL / ROUGHNESS
Normally coming from programs like Substance they would always be in linear mode except Albedo which would be in sRGB. But:
· Is it necessary to set Albedo to sRGB or is it better to use “Default”?
· If we have an AO map to use with Vraylayer in the Difusse, do I have to use it in Linear mode (like the rest of the maps in Metal / Roughness), do I have to use "Default" or set sRGB? Can I mix the albedo (non-linear) with a linear AO?

SPECULAR / GLOSSINESS
Looking at the dielectric materials of Cosmos, it always uses the same system:
Diffusse: sRGB
Specular: sRGB
Glosiness: Linear

· Is this the correct system?
· Do I need to set sRGB mode or is it better to use "Default"?
· Its better use Linear mode even in Specular/Glossiness in every slot?
· If I have a displacement map in Specular / Glossines do I need to set it to linear mode?

Thanks in advance for your time and effort.

[stefan_laub1]

as far i know the new vray 5 handles all that for you internally, so in that case keep all default.

[Juan Ferreira]

Ok, Thanks Stefan!

[sirio76]

Last time I check normal maps still needed to be set in linear mode.