Arnold for Maya - AOVs and Render Settings

Rendering Maya Scenes Using Arnold Renderer With AOVs

If your Maya scene is rendered with Arnold, and you require multi-pass AOVs, there are two different situations that may arise if you choose to render on StratusCore Render Rocket.

1) You require your output to be multi-layered with a beauty pass, BUT all the layers are included in one file.
(e.g. myrender.exr)

2) You require the output of AOVs and a beauty pass to be rendered as individual files.
(e.g. myrender.jpg, myrender_diffuse.exr, myrender_specular.exr, myrender_Z.exr  etc etc)

In order to render with Arnold and output the correct files on StratusCores Render Rocket, you'll need to make sure your settings match the desired output.

This help article uses EXR as the example.  It is best practice to use EXR for multi layered output as it is both high dynamic-range (HDR) and space efficient.  EXR was created by ILM specifically for use with visual effects, and is an industry standard format supported by all high-end 3D and compositing programs.  If you're rendering for a linear workflow and want to save space while maintaining quality with lossless compression or rendering a lot of passes, the EXR file format is best.  

(The following instructions assume that you have already setup Arnold as your renderer, and you have visited the Arnold Renderer tab and set up Sampling.  It also assumes that you have visited the AOV tab and chosen your AOVs via the AOV Browser flyout.)

Merged AOVs

If you require your output to be multi-layered with a beauty pass, BUT all the layers are included in one file.  (e.g. myrender.exr)  There are a few steps that you need to .

(Example of a layered .exr file open in Photoshop.)

With your scene file open in Maya, open the Outliner.  Windows -> Outliner

Click the  icon in the Quick Layout buttons on the left side of the interface.

Inside the Outliner, click Display, and then UNCHECK "DAG Objects Only" 

Back inside the Outliner list, click on the "defaultArnoldDriver".

Once you have selected the defaultArnoldDriver, activate the Attribute Editor tab.  Select exr under the "Image Format" flyout.  Also, make sure "Merge AOVs" under the "Advanced Output" flyout is checked.

At this point, please make sure all your asset paths are set to relative, and save your scene.

You are ready to upload your assets and run a test render.

Un-Merged AOVs

If you require the output of AOVs and a beauty pass to be rendered as individual files.
(e.g. myrender.exr, myrender_diffuse.exr, myrender_specular.exr, myrender_Z.exr  etc etc)

With your scene file open in Maya, follow the above steps until you examine the defaultArnoldDriver inside the Attributes Editor.

UNCHECK "Merge AOVs"

At this point, please make sure all your asset paths are set to relative, and save your scene.

You are ready to upload your assets and run a test render.

Not finding what you are looking for here? Try our searchable Help Resources or contact our support team for more information.  You can always email support@stratuscore.com for technical questions.  Don't hesitate to contact us - we are here to help you get your renders done and meet your deadlines.