OCIO Aces with Render AOV Group Enabled washing out Output!

[911ljt]

Hi,

I have encountered this problem for a while (back when the aov system haven't implemented yet). As long as I enabled the AOV group option. The final output of my render looks washed out. I am using the Aces OCIO and my setting are attached below.

As you may see, the final output is all messed up. What i used to do is to render seperately which is incredibly labor intensive. I havent found a good solution to fix this problem. Could someone please help a brother out, see what my problem is?

I know I can export to EXR file with linear output workflow. But EXR files are too big tends to slow down my workflow drastically. I still prefer JPG or PNG for multipass.

Thank you in advance

[aoktar]

Using sRGB from OCIO and saving by png that's messing whole things. Just assuming but seems like applying the sRGB two times. One from renderer, second from embedded color profile of PNG

[911ljt]

Using sRGB from OCIO and saving by png that's messing whole things. Just assuming but seems like applying the sRGB two times. One from renderer, second from embedded color profile of PNG

Thank you very much Ahmet, So what do you suggest I need to do? Its impossible to use PNG/JPG as multipass in Octane now? Thank you... Hope someone can provide a better workflow for this scenario

[aoktar]

Why you can't use? If you apply gamma 0.45 that will give very similar result. Other than this I'd never use PNG for render AOV'S. There is a reason to have EXR in the world.

[911ljt]

Why you can't use? If you apply gamma 0.45 that will give very similar result. Other than this I'd never use PNG for render AOV'S. There is a reason to have EXR in the world.

Thank you! Ok I see it now! May I ask is there an way to properly import the Octane rendered EXR into Photoshop? I can make it work with After effect, But in Photoshop everything looks bit off. I know you are a Octane dev so its slightly off topic now.

[bepeg4d]

Hi,
you can use EXR-IO to import in Photoshop, it also works very well with Cryptomatte passes:
https://www.exr-io.com/

ciao,
Beppe

[elsksa]

Hello,

I am using the Aces OCIO

Be aware that ACES is unnecessary for most users. The subject is partially covered in the links from this thread-reply: viewtopic.php?f=101&t=78635&p=405831#p405831 and here as well: https://www.elsksa.me/scientia/cgi-offl ... rvival-kit

(...) I'd never use PNG for render AOV'S. There is a reason to have EXR in the world.

This ^
https://www.elsksa.me/scientia/cgi-offl ... mat-debunk

[prodigiosovolcan]

Hi, I'm facing the same problem. I'm using ACES (it just gets better results with hightlights and more natural look than sRGB in general), so assuming I'm going to using it and then I'm going to bake it as sRGB, how do I export so I can use AOVs? It's really weird because, there's no problem with AOVs off, and even with AOVs on the render looks fine while rendering, but as soon as finishes it washes out everything.

Thanks!

[elsksa]

Hi,

Hi, I'm facing the same problem. I'm using ACES (it just gets better results with hightlights (...)

It may seem "better" but introduces highly concerning issues. Not worth the hassle.

That said, if someone has a scene where ACES won't break the imagery much, the checkbox available in the Octane Camera Imager is the simplest way to get a in-render preview (or quick JPG export).

That said, this, is a preferable (and superior) alternative.

(...) and more natural look than sRGB in general)

There is no such a thing as "more natural than sRGB". Our eyes + "brain processing", as an observer, do not "see like photographic film". It's rather a subjective preference over sRGB, and a legitimate one as the basic non-linear sRGB output is not only to avoid but was never made for CGI.

(...) is rather so assuming I'm going to using it and then I'm going to bake it as sRGB, how do I export so I can use AOVs? It's really weird because, there's no problem with AOVs off, and even with AOVs on the render looks fine while rendering, but as soon as finishes it washes out everything.

AOVs are always exported "without any kind of imaging processing" (not sRGB encoded, not ACES-sRGB (output) encoded or any form of output "display" encoding and processing, simply said). An other suggestion.

Needless to mention that Adobe Software are not appropriate for CGI post work. Fusion Standalone (not even Fusion in Davinci) and Nuke (to only name a couple) are the suitable choices.

[prodigiosovolcan]

Hi Elsksa, thanks as always for your very complete and technical answers. I got lost a little bit into those articles, but I think I get what you mean. I will definitely take a look into AgX.

Anyway, as I need to work with PNGs sometimes because of workflow issues in the company (like we use Adobe, not Nuke or Davinci, or there's people with Mac who can't open EXR into Photoshop), I came by with a couple of solutions in case it helps someone.

1: If AOV is enabled, export AOVs as PSD. Then in Photoshop: View->Proof setup->Monitor RGB. Then, when exporting the PNG from Photoshop with File->Export->Export as. You will need to turn off "Convert to sRGB" and "Embed Color Profile".
2: If you have Octane 2022.1, then don't even load OCIO profile or do anything else than turning on the "ACES tone mapping" into the Camera imager tag. This way it will export the beauty and the AOVs the same way you see them in the Live Viewer.


I hope this helps someone, even if it's not the most "correct" solution, it does the trick for me. I don't work into VFX industry but in motion graphics. So as soon as the final result looks "fine" works for me