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local and render network files look different

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2025 1:02 pm
by misi
Hi All,

recently I rendered files on the Render Network.
I exported the c4d file as orbx file and uploaded to the farm.
I needed to do some cover renders to fix minor issues so I rendered the same file locally.
However when I wanted to composite them in Fusion, they looked difference, one of them were darker.
Anyone experienced something similar?

Thanks

M

Re: local and render network files look different

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 12:48 am
by LFedit
One thing to try is to render the orbx file in the standalone and see if it looks the same. I'm curious to see why there's a difference as I can see using both the render network and local rendering for projects as well.

I've noticed some pretty large differences between octane 2023 and 2024 in some of my older projects. I'm not sure if it's color management or the way the tone mapper works now, but I noticed the 2024 renders are darker as well.

Re: local and render network files look different

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 8:43 am
by skientia
LFedit wrote:I've noticed some pretty large differences between octane 2023 and 2024 in some of my older projects. I'm not sure if it's color management or the way the tone mapper works now, but I noticed the 2024 renders are darker as well.
If the render output is set to OpenEXR (such as for post work and master file archiving), there shouldn't be any non-linear difference since the EXR is "linearly encoded" (and any signal processing is ignored / bypassed at export stage, they subsequently become irrelevant for the export, but do matter for in-render previewing purposes, being mandatory).

Octane supports several native workflows (i.e. native linear and non-linear sRGB, native AgX, native ACES, and its own in-house signal processing).
Which one is used for viewing purposes?
Is the export set to OpenEXR or an integer, non-linear format such as JPG or similar?

In general, as long as the "linear workflow" is applied and followed, there shouldn't be any discrepancy.
ACES tends to be more prone to user-error than other "color pipelines", and isn't an absolute necessity (unless requested for a given project that obligates its usage).

Re: local and render network files look different

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 2:20 pm
by frankmci
It usually shouldn't make a difference, but you may need to make sure the Octane engine version selected on RNDR matches the one you run locally.