Shimakaze's Tools (SP2 update)

Shimakaze’s Tools
To make things easier, I will collect all the free tools I create in this one thread from now on.
Here are the current tools:

vrimg2exr batch conversion tool v0.6:

This tool lets you easily output EXR files from your vrimg files with a simple doubleclick. Updated for SP3, including new features and layers. http://www.ascantica.com/vrimg2exrbatch\_SP3.zip Old version for SP2 can still be found here: http://www.ascantica.com/vrimg2exr\_batch.zip
**Photoshop productivity tools v0.3:**
**Photoshop Render Element Importer** Automatically imports individual files as layers, rearranges them and sets the blend modes. **Photoshop Layer actions** A collection of actions that helps speed up working with render elements. **Photoshop Texture actions** A collection of actions that makes it easier making textures. http://www.ascantica.com/photoshop\_tools.zip

Further information can be found in the zip files.

Version history:

**vrimg2exr batch conversion tool** v0.6 \*Added option to change maximum buffer size. \*Added display of compression and buffer settings in main conversion window. v0.5 \*updated to work with SP3 (SP2 no longer supported) \*Added support for additional vrimg2exr features \*Added new render element: SSS2

Photoshop Tools
v0.03
-Texture actions added.
-Small alterations.
v0.02
-The script now imports unrecognized elements.
-A setting has been added to import the elements as smart layers. To use open the script in a text editor.

For more information, read the previous thread here: http://www.chaosgroup.com/forums/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=38104

wow!
thumbs up!

tusen tak!
:smile:

Shimakaze

Thanks!!!

Just dl will test asap.

It’s working … sort of

I type in the number I want and get the error code

‘c:vrimg2exr’ is not a recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file

I followed the install instruct. Created a shortcut placed on desktop. get the error message. Double clicked on the vrimg file. same thing
???

Hmmm not sure what is wrong. sounds like it doesn’t find the vrimg2exr.exe file in the C: root folder. Try the new attached version and see if it helps.
vrimg2exr_test.zip (1.7 KB)

It is still not working 4 me. If it’s working for everyone else, I must be doing something wrong

Thanks for the script, very useful!

ANIMATION: How to run this as a batch file over 1,200 VRIMG files / animation? I found myself with an animation that needed converted, so after hitting up our IT guru Scott V. with the challenge, 5 minutes later, here is the method he used:

1) First set the VRIMG batch script to automatic mode. I used option 2 to create one EXR per file.

2) From a cmd prompt:
Navigate to the directory containing the VRIMG files to be converted and use “dir /b > X:\location of the VRIMG files\files.txt” to generate a list of those files inside that directory as a txt file; contents will look like:

ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0101.vrimg
ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0102.vrimg
ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0103.vrimg
ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0104.vrimg
ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0105.vrimg
etc…

3) Then edit that file using find / replace (Find “ANIM” and replace with “cmd /c C:\vrimg2exr.bat ANIM” for example, in this case) to:

cmd /c C:\vrimg2exr.bat ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0101.vrimg
cmd /c C:\vrimg2exr.bat ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0102.vrimg
cmd /c C:\vrimg2exr.bat ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0103.vrimg
cmd /c C:\vrimg2exr.bat ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0104.vrimg
cmd /c C:\vrimg2exr.bat ANIM_VRIMG_BASE_0105.vrimg
etc…

4) Now save it as “files.bat” still inside that same directory containing all of the VRIMG files.

5) Run the script. Once executed, that bat script opens a cmd prompt and processes one to the next to the next.

Not very pretty, but saves a lot of clicking.

Cheers.

Interesting usage. I’m gonna look into a way to do this automatically

Edit: For now here’s a faster way to do it (though still not optimal).
navigate to your directory in a cmd prompt and use this code:
for /f “tokens=*” %a in (‘dir /b *.vrimg’) do echo cmd /c C:\vrimg2exr.bat “%CD%\%a”>>files.bat

It’ll create a bat file for you that you can launch directly with no editing.

By the way, to make things even easier, you can add a simple shell extension to open a cmd prompt to the folder you choose.
just create a new text file and add this:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\CmdHere]
@=“Command Prompt Here”

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\CmdHere\command]
@=“cmd /k cd \”%l%\“”

Save it as whatever.reg and run it. Now whenever you right click on a folder you’ll see the option “Command Prompt Here”…

Thanks for the update, I’ll give it a shot!

Just giving this a go. I am trying out Photoshop Render Element Importer

When I compare the VRay frame buffer render to the compiled image in Photoshop, the glossy reflections of the photoshop version seem very ‘dirty’, like they are very grainy. The render in the VFB looks clean and smooth. Any ideas?

I am using the following elements:
VRay_DiffuseFilter
VRay_RawLighting
VRay_GlobalIllumination
VRay_Refraction
VRay_Caustics
VRay_Specular
VRay_Background
VRay_Atmosphere
VRay_Alpha
VRay_Reflection

I’m not sure but it could be that you are rendering your elements in linear space and then you are correcting the final image for print or display.

If you set your gamma to 2.2 in VRay but also check ‘don’t affect colors’ you might get a cleaner result.

Dan

What did clear it up quite a bit was upping the settings of the Adaptive DMC sampler, but yes, I am making progress, its just I am stuggling with my LWF and the compositing in Photoshop.

Mmm. Not having too much success here in matching the VFB output to the compiled Photoshop output. I have tried the Shimakaze tool, and have also tried manually following this thread: http://www.chaosgroup.com/forums/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=359123&postcount=15 but my results still don’t match.

I am sure it is something to do with the illusive gamma/LWF.

I am using Linear color mapping with Gamma set at 2.2
Sub-pixel mapping is checked
Clamp output is checked
Affect background is checked
Don’t affect colours is unchecked.

I save each element out as a tga file.

Any tips would be appreciated

Here is a test file
teapots.zip (24.1 KB)

Your compositing needs to be done with linear images. What you are doing is burning in a 2.2 gamma in Max. So you either have to change your gamma in color mapping to 1 or a better option, check ‘don’t affect colors’. Then apply your gamma 2.2 in your compositing app.

Does that make sense?

@Shimakaze- This is a great tool! I have one small request: Can you give an option to save out the .exr with an imbedded alpha channel? Just currious.

Thanks,
Brian

Sadly this is not possible with the current version of vrimg2exr.exe so it’s out of my hands.
Several people have requested it of Chaosgroup before though so it might be added in the future.

To coincide with the release of SP3, here’s a new version of the vrimg2exr batch script. Note that the old version won’t work with SP3 and vice versa.
See the first post in the thread for more info and download link.

~Shima

Hello and thanks to release that so quickly, but i have a wish… Is there any chance to have the same plugins to after FX ?? it’s very usefull for a lot of things than photoshop…

Thanks by advance !

Thanks for sorting this out so quickly! I’d be proper stuffed without this invaluable tool…!!!

Hmmm I haven’t thought of that possibility before… god idea. I’ll look into it, the Photoshop stuff needs to be updated anyway.