I cant get an output of my zdepth pass when using vray vfb. max9 sp2 x64, vray 1.5 sp1 do I have to save it as a vray raw or openexr? can´t remember I had this problem earlier
thanks
/Daniel
How are you trying to get the zdepth out (e.g using the Split render elements option for the VFB, or something else)?
Best regards,
Vlado
tanks for replying so fast.
I have set up a VRayZDepth in render elements and an output in max common output but it dont save the VRayZDepth when I use the vray vfb. I could turn it of and use max vfb but then I get dubble gamma correction in max vfb even if the saved file is correct.
Ok, in that case, try to use the “Split render elements” option for the VFB and specify some file name in the field below it and see if it works.
Best regards,
Vlado
Thanks I just tryed it and it works greate. Is there a way to set up exr files in the vrayraw image file?
regards/Daniel
If I understand your question, just change the extension to .exr in the path dialog.
yes. I did but I it seems I only get 8 bit and I cant set compression etc.
/Daniel
OpenEXR does not really have an 8-bit mode, so the result would be either 16- or 32-bit.
You can use the renderer maxscript property “output_rawExrUseHalf” to switch between 16- and 32-bits (set it to false for 32-bit output). There is currently no way to set the compression though.
If you render to a .vrimg file and use the vrimg2exr tool, it offers more options for the final .exr file, including compression.
Best regards,
Vlado
thanks. the only prolem with vrayraw is the size when it comes to animation. I´m just trying to figure out a pipeline for our projects 
Is there any reason why one has to use the “split render channels” thing when rendering out passes\elements? Why can it not just use the path set in the render elements dialogue?
In addition, is the only way to get an exr with the different channels\elements combined, to render out an vrimg and convert it?
I have a feeling I have missed something here, as I find the whole procedure a bit clunky and non-intuitive, where as it really shouldn’t be.
If your not rendering to vrimg/bucket exr or trying to eke out a megs of memeory then you van use the Max vfb instead of the Vray vfb and everything works as expected, all exr save options and render elements.
Well that’s the thing. I prefer to work with the vray FB, because it is “better” while working on a scene.
Having to switch back to the max FB before rendering is just another thing one can forget when under deadline pressure. By activating the vray FB I’m actually making my file-logistics more messy?
My premise was that I feel the file output handling through vray in general is overly complicated, and at times seems to try to “reinvent the wheel” (though other times does things better than max).
But back to my point: Is the only way to render out a multi-channel exr with all the render elements (or others) by bypassing the vray FB?
Heh, everyone is getting so lazy these days.
Lol, at work we automate everything ourselves, we do not expect the renderer to do everything, we have bots that render dailies, create comp workspaces etc., Hmm, I believe that is part of being professional…
So yes to render a miltichannel EXR , the only way is to use the VRay vfb…
While I definitely would like to have techy guys set up similar stuff like you have at your workplace, your last argument actually fall on its own logic.
By having all those things automated and nicely set up, you are eliminating a lot of mundane tasks that I have to do manually. How does that make one lazy? 
Anyway, that actually has nothing to do with being professional, as it has to being resourceful and smart. 
You can enter directly an .exr file in place of the .vrimg one.
Best regards,
Vlado
This is mostly because 3ds Max does not offer the necessary tools for this - remember that originally 3ds Max did not even have support for the .exr file format. This was later added, but at a very generic level, without using or giving access to any of the extra features of the .exr file format. Further on, 3ds Max did not have any way to handle large output resolutions efficiently, which is why we implemented the V-Ray VFB in the first place.
Best regards,
Vldo
I see.
I guess I always presumed it was completely open seeing as the exr format supposedly is too.
Is this normal for autodesk to give only access to small parts of the api?
They claimed to have opened up the architecture completely for plugin development many years ago. Guess that was just smoke & mirrors.