Linear Workflow and gamma correction

[Yannick]

Hi,
I would like a quick clarification, I know that I need to gamma correct any image file I plug in the diffuse of my materials when using linear workflow. However are the colour picker in the Vray material linear? Also in another post, Vlado mentioned that all Maya procedural texture are linear. Can someone car confirm that ramp and 2D textures are as well?

Thanks,

Yannick

[treyharrell]

Anything that contributes *at all* to your final output color needs to be gamma corrected. This includes reflection/refraction color, sss etc.

Swatches, ramps and procedurals all need to be corrected... even light colors, etc.

--T

[Yannick]

hi, on another thread:

Procedural textures are always linear. Maya 2012 may have an option to show gamma-corrected swatches for display, but I'm not quite sure.

Best regards,
Vlado

So according to Vlado, no need to de-gamma procedural texture.

[treyharrell]

That may be what Vlado said, but g'head & try this:

- Make ramp with a .5 saturation single step red, apply to a sphere, add a diffuse pass & render. Look at diffuse pass. Washed out, needs gamma correction.

- Make a noise and set your color gain to .5 saturation red, apply to a sphere in diffuse of vray mat and render. Washed out, needs gamma correction.

--T

[treyharrell]

Here's a setup to show you what I mean. To clarify, I don't use the linear workflow checkbox, as it's inconsistent in what it corrects for and makes things way more confusing than they need to be as a result. Gamma 2.2, adaptation only.

[drosselmir]

Thats how I do it and just like T said. Anything that contributes to the final "color" of the image needs a gamma correction. Ramps, 3D, 2D textures, the lot.

Dave

[kweechy]

Just re-iterating what others have said here.

If it plugs into a color slot of ANYTHING, it needs to be gamma corrected. The only exceptions to this are .HDR files which generally save in RAW format.

This includes procedurals, files, ramps and yes, even the color picker. If you want to properly place a color into a slot in your material, create a .4545 gamma node and pick the color inside that.

[mr furious]

Because I'd love the Vray gamma node like in the file textures available on all or most nodes... Or just give me a Vray gamma node, do I do t have to use the crappy maya one.

[Yannick]

Thanks everyone. we also figured out that we need to gamma correct everything but the quote from Vlado confused us.