exr files

V-Ray V-Ray for 3ds Max General
1

Hi All,

I am playing around with rendering out exr files and seeing if it makes sense for me to start to use in my workflow.

I want to ask a somewhat stupid question to the group. Besides the fact that all my render elements are inside one file what is the big benefit of using exr files over png’s or tiff’s. What can I do with exr’s that I cant with other files? Do I need certian settings in vray when I render out my images to take advantage of using exr’s?

Thanks!

2

exr is a 16 bit half float or 32 bit full float so png cant compare. Tiff is comparable in terms of range/data but its considered by many depreciated format. My main issue with tiff is that it has many compressions and a lot of them are not read by other software correctly, so finding out which one works accross all is a difficult thing. Exr since being released by ILM is in one form more or less, so its universal between all software ( I have not encounter one software where it had issues reading it) except after effects, for multichannel exr it needs plugin, but its after effects issue.

Having said that, exr poses a challenge when working with photoshop (maybe most recent ps version handles it better) but the one I have ps5, has many limitations working with exr. Many people use plugin there too.

3

Thanks Dmitry,

I am finding out the exr and photoshop doesn’t really get me what I want. I cant access my elements unless I convert it to 16bit. I use multimatte alot.

4

you will need pro exr plugin to get the channels.

5

For still you can save all your channels as separate exr’s and use the ‘open files in stack’ option in PS to get them all together and 32bit.
We render everything to exr for stills and animations but dont keep all elements in the same file.

6

Adobe had an adjusted .exr opener a while back you could download, but it stopped working with CC so we’re back to the drawing board. Sometimes it’s like they don’t want to be a part of the future.