V-Ray Tip: Essential V-Ray AOVs and EXR Output

Use V-Ray Render Channels (AOVs/Render Elements) to future‑proof your images for grading, relighting, and seamless integration in comp.

Why it matters for downstream pipelines:

• Flexibility: Rebalance lighting, tweak materials, and isolate contributions without re-rendering.
• Traceability: Utility passes help diagnose noise, exposure, and shading issues.
• Scalability: Standardized outputs slot directly into studio templates and automation.

Core channels to include on most shots:

• Beauty (RGB) + Denoiser (keep both denoised and raw where possible).
• DiffuseFilter (albedo), RawLighting, RawGI, Lighting, GI.
• Reflection + ReflectionFilter, Refraction + RefractionFilter.
• Coat, Sheen, Emission/Self-Illumination, SSS/Subsurface, Atmosphere/Environment.
• Light Selects (by key, fill, rims, practicals). Use LightMix in lookdev, then convert to Light Selects for final exports.
• Cryptomatte (objects, materials, assets) for robust mattes; MultiMatte for lightweight ID masks.
• Normals (World), Position (World), Z-Depth, Velocity, Ambient Occlusion, Wirecolor/ID, SampleRate (for QC).

Raw/Filter pairings for accurate comp math:

• Diffuse = DiffuseFilter × RawLighting/RawGI contributions.
• Reflection = ReflectionFilter × RawReflection.
• Refraction = RefractionFilter × RawRefraction.
• These pairings let you color-correct albedo independently while preserving energy balance.

Color management and file output:

• Save in scene-linear space (e.g., ACEScg or linear sRGB per your pipeline). Do not bake VFB color corrections into EXRs.
• Use OpenEXR Multichannel. Half-float (16‑bit) is fine for beauty; reserve 32‑bit float for depth/position or heavy grades.
• Compression: ZIP (lossless) balances size and speed; PIZ is also common.
• When supported, Deep EXR can be enabled for holdout‑friendly comp (use selectively due to large files).

LightMix to Light Select workflow:

• Iterate interactively with LightMix for approvals.
• Commit the approved balances by converting LightMix groups to Light Select elements.
• Export as multichannel EXR and re-light non-destructively in Nuke, Fusion, or AE.

Performance and hygiene tips:

• Output only what the comp needs to reduce disk and I/O.
• Use consistent naming conventions for elements and layers; avoid render stamps on finals.
• Leverage SampleRate to target noisy areas with higher sampling, not blanket increases.
• Keep Denoiser as a separate channel; let compositing decide where/when to use it.

Quick starter set for most interiors: Beauty, Denoiser, DiffuseFilter, RawLighting, RawGI, Lighting, GI, Reflection(+Filter), Refraction(+Filter), Emission, SSS, Atmosphere, 3–6 Light Selects, Cryptomatte (object/material), Normals, Position, Z‑Depth, Velocity, AO, SampleRate.

Need help standardizing a channel set for your studio or sizing render node licenses? Consult the experts at NOVEDGE, or explore current V-Ray options and render nodes at NOVEDGE’s V-Ray catalog.