V-Ray Tip: Enable sRGB Display Correction in V-Ray Frame Buffer

Quick, accurate previews depend on seeing your linear renders through the correct display transform. In the V-Ray Frame Buffer (VFB), enable sRGB conversion to preview what your image will look like on a standard monitor without baking anything into your data.

• Where to enable it:
  • In VFB: click the sRGB button in the top toolbar to toggle display correction on/off.
  • Alternatively, open Display Correction in the VFB and choose sRGB (or OCIO > View/Display targeting sRGB if you use an OCIO config).
• What it does:
  • Applies a 2.2-ish gamma curve for preview only, matching common sRGB/Rec.709 displays.
  • Does not alter the underlying linear render; EXR files remain linear unless you explicitly save “with color corrections.”
• Why it matters:
  • Prevents underexposed or over-contrasted look-dev decisions caused by viewing linear output on a gamma-uncorrected display.
  • Ensures client-facing JPEG/PNG previews match what most devices show.

Best-practice workflow:

• Look-dev and lighting
  • Keep sRGB enabled for interactive/progressive sessions to judge exposure, contrast, and saturation accurately.
  • Use the VFB’s exposure, highlight burn, and curves as display-only tools during iteration.
• Saving outputs
  • For approvals (JPG/PNG/TIFF 8/16): enable sRGB and check “Save with color corrections.”
  • For comp (EXR 16/32-bit): leave files linear; disable “Save with color corrections” so the comp app (OCIO) manages the display transform.
• OCIO/ACES users
  • Enable OCIO in VFB, set Rendering Space (e.g., ACEScg) and choose Display/View (e.g., sRGB).
  • Do not stack the sRGB toggle on top of an OCIO view transform; use one or the other.

Common pitfalls to avoid:

• Double gamma: sRGB toggle plus OCIO sRGB View will overcompensate. Use only the OCIO view when OCIO is enabled.
• Mixed app previews: Match VFB display settings with your DCC viewport or comp viewer to prevent mismatched approvals.
• Texture gamma mismatches: Ensure color textures are flagged as sRGB (auto-gamma) and data maps (roughness, normal, displacement) are linear.
• OS-level shifts: Disable Night Shift/True Tone and calibrate displays to avoid unexpected tints.

Checks before final:

• Toggle sRGB on/off in VFB to confirm you understand what’s display-only versus baked.
• Validate a linear EXR in your comp tool with the same OCIO config/display.
• Send a small approval JPG saved “with color corrections” to match client devices.

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