V-Ray 3 | Linear Workflow and Color/Gamma Correction

V-Ray V-Ray for Rhino General
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Hey folks,

long time no see. I hope you’re all doing good.

As I have some spare time this week, I’m working on getting the best out of the new V-Ray and (potentially) updating the Interior Render Thread I posted in the Tips&Tricks Section some time ago.
So, what’s the deal? Using a photography approach for achieving better photorealistic results, it’s very important to know and control the way V-Ray treats colors, gamma etc. The older V-Ray versions had Separate Tabs on this topics in the Asset Editor. The current version doesn’t have these (or am I too retarded to find them?), so I guess that said options maybe set by default. As guessing isn’t really good enough, I’d be really glad to know how it really is:

  1. Does V-Ray 3 use a Linear Workflow by default?
  2. Is a 2.2 Gamma set up by default?
  3. Can Show Calc. Phase for the different GI Engines be switched off/on?

Thanks in advance!
Greetz
Helldoor

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Does V-Ray 3 use a Linear Workflow by default?
No, Linear workflow in the color mapping is not enable by default. We are correcting textures at loading time.

Is a 2.2 Gamma set up by default?
Yes, Gamma 2.2 is enable. We are using it for the calculation, but we are not baking the gamma in the render by default. We are rendering in linear space and we have the sRGB curve enable in the VFB.

Can Show Calc. Phase for the different GI Engines be switched off/on?
We don’t have that option in the UI anymore.

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Helpful, as usual. Thanks, Fernando!

We are correcting textures at loading time.
I don’t get that. Could you please explain a bit more.

Yes, Gamma 2.2 is enable. We are using it for the calculation, but we are not baking the gamma in the render by default. We are rendering in linear space and we have the sRGB curve enable in the VFB.
So, better leave the Linear Workflow box (under the Layer Options) of a certain material unchecked, in order not to apply a 2.2 Gamma twice and wash out the materials?

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When you load a texture in the material editor or in any V-Ray area, we are going to load it with the correct gamma mode. The linear workflow box never produced the correct result and it was a temporary solution.
The linear workflow box is on materials to be able to correct old V-Ray 2 materials only. You don’t need that option for new materials

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Wonderful, thanks.
I’ll keep the thread and maybe post another question(s) here.

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Hi, here again, with some new questions:

  1. Rectangular light - is there a way to set the Shadow Subdivs somewhere? And how about the ‘Store with IrMap’ option?
  2. And how about the Material Subdivs in case of Refl/Refr Glossiness under 1.0?

Once again, thanks in advance!

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  1. Rectangular light - is there a way to set the Shadow Subdivs somewhere? And how about the ‘Store with IrMap’ option?
  2. And how about the Material Subdivs in case of Refl/Refr Glossiness under 1.0?

V-Ray use intelligent sampling meaning that V-Ray will determine the best solution for lights and material subdivision. You will not have to guess how many subdivision you will need for lights and materials.

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Fer, I can’t check it here, no VfR3 installed, but could you look for it. Often used option here.