Octane Preset helper object - Usage and samples. Tweet

[neonZorglub]

Octane Preset helper object.
(available from v2020.1.5-10.20, v4.05-6.34, v2019.1.5-8.25)

This object contains a copy of the Octane Preference parameters.
It's main usage is to keep the material conversion settings in a non-octane max file, or while non octane materials are not yet converted.
This is particularly useful when using the On-the-fly material conversion, so you can keep using the original materials without permanently converting them, and be assured that the conversion settings will give the same result.

For example, while working with a several vray scenes, you may need to adjust some settings, like the Light Power Scale differently for each file.
The Preset object will keep those settings for each file.

You can create an Octane Preset object from the Helper section, or in the Octane Preferences dialog, menu 'Preset'.
You can also use the shortcut in the main Octane menu : 'Add Octane Preset helper'
(With maxscript : actionMan.executeAction 982383860 "6558")

When loading a scene containing an Octane Preset (if Enabled is on), the Preferences will be restored using this preset.

You can also have several Preset objects with different settings in the same scene, and switch the one to use from the Octane preferences, Preset menu, or by selecting 'Enable' in the preset object parameters.

Octane Preset Parameters:
Enabled : Enable preset. Only one preset can be enabled at a time. If multiple preset exist in the scene, the one previously enabled will be disabled.
Helper size: Helper size in the viewport.
Included categories: Categories of settings to store. Select 'MAIN' for all scene related settings, or only a subset of settings. Note that Categories can only be changed when the preset is Enabled.
Storage Type: Variables can be stored in an external config file or embedded in this object. External file can be shared by multiple scenes, and is instantly saved.
Config file: When Storage type is set to External file, select a file to store the settings. Use context menu for more options..
Open Octane Preferences: Open Octane Preferences dialog.


Notice that the Octane preference dialog title shows the name of the currently enabled preset, eg: [OctanePreset_001]

Also, when reporting issues and sending us a sample file, please add an Octane Preset object, with Categories set to MAIN or Full.
That will help us to reproduce the issue.

Here are 2 samples, using the same objects and material (a Standard material with a Standard Bitmap), with different settings for each:
-octPreset_test01 has "On-the-fly Material conversion" disabled, and "Use Color for object with no material" set to 'Keep no material'
-octPreset_test02 has "On-the-fly Material conversion" enabled, and "Use Color for object with no material" set to 'Diffuse material'
Open and render octPreset_test01 will result in grey materials.
Open and render octPreset_test02 will result in converted materials.

octanePresetSamples1.zip

(111.93 KiB) Downloaded 229 times

Thanks.

[neonZorglub]

When sending us a sample scene with an issue, please add an Octane preset object. That allows us to investigate the issue with your exact settings.

-Open your scene
-Open Octane Preferences window
-Choose Add Octane Preset helper from the Preset menu.

This should select the new object.
Select Modify in the object panel, to access the object parameters.
Change the Included categories to 'Full'

-Save your scene

Thank you

[HHbomb]

Thanks

[neonZorglub]

Preset and Preferences update:
(From version 2021.1.6 - 12.26 and 2022.1 XB3 - 13.07)

-The default categories is set to Full.

-When a preset is disabled, your original preferences are restored.

-The preset (None) is available in the Preset menu and correspond to your original preferences.

-The Preference menu 'Preset' has a new 'Locked' preference, that can be saved and restored.
This allow to keep a safe copy of the Preferences, in case you changed too many settings and fail to render correctly.
This is stored as 'octane3dsMaxCfg_Locked.BAK' in the same location as current Preferences file (octane3dsMaxConfig.cfg)

Another file 'octane3dsMaxCfg.BAK' is created when 3dsmax starts, as a copy of the current Preferences (octane3dsMaxConfig.cfg)
This allows you to restore it with 'Preset / Reset from startup settings'
You can also overwrite it with the current settings with the menu Preset / save as startup settings.