Manage Still Image Post-Production Elements
Still image post-production is often completed using the Render Elements options with 3ds Max®. The elements can be exported from 3ds Max during the render process as image files and can be used in conjunction with Photoshop to composite and quickly change them to produce alternate final products or add effects. These elements can be highlights from particular lights, shadows, reflections, textures, shapes of objects, colors, and more. By separating the elements, we can manipulate them with more control using tools inside software such as Photoshop.
For example, if a shadow in a rendering appears too dark, rather than waiting for a second render inside 3ds Max we could simply use the selection tools in Photoshop with that particular element and adjust the values for that element only. The same concept applies to lights that are too bright, reflections that need more clarity, or by changing a color of a particular object. Examples of a few of the various elements that can be created and used to manipulate a particular rendering are displayed in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Examples of elements
Exporting the elements is a relatively simple task. To accomplish this, simply bring up the Render Setup Dialog box and select the Render Elements tab as displayed with Figure 2.
Figure 2: Elements tab
Next, select the particular element you want 3ds Max to separate into a file so that you can use it to manipulate your image when compositing in Photoshop. For smaller projects with fewer elements, this can be managed effectively with an efficient file structure and naming conventions. With more complicated scenes that require a higher level of customization, this particular step can be cumbersome to manage and even more difficult when working between two different programs.
A tool provided by Cebas Visual Technology (www.cebas.com) called PSD Manager simplifies the export process, giving us additional control to work between the two programs and manage the elements and changes effectively.
While the developers of PSD Manager offer a wide range of data, to review the software I thought it would be helpful to demonstrate its capabilities as I’ve found it an extraordinary tool to manage elements and work between 3ds Max and Photoshop efficiently.
Cebas offers a trial version of PSD Manager on its site with clear instructions for installation for 3ds Max versions 2013 through 2017. To demonstrate the power of PSD Manager, I’ll start by walking through exporting a file using the PSD Manager plug-in. The first step is to select the Rendering menu and then Effects marked as shown on Figure 3.
Figure 3: Effects
This opens the Environment and Effects dialog. Here we select the Effects Tab, choose Add, and then select psd-manager as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Selecting psd-manager
Here you’ll find an extraordinary amount of options to control what is exported from 3ds Max into a particular PSD file. I’ll walk through a few of them. First, I’ll start with the Parameters Rollout shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5: Parameters Rollout
Here we choose the file name and exported format. This means we are not restricted to PSD files alone while helping us to adhere to applicable naming conventions or standards. One of my favorite options in this particular area is the File Format option, which allows us to control the resolution in dots-per-inch while giving us the ability to choose 8-bits, 16-bits, or 32-bits (HDR) per channel. Finally, we have the option to choose the image output method which could consist of Layers with Masks, Layers with Transparency, and more.
At this point we can select Render, where it will render our scene while creating the PSD file in the location we have specified. By right-clicking on the Files button it will open Photoshop (or alternative capable software) with the proper file open containing the various elements in our layer list as shown in Figure 6. If you have to composite element files often, this should make you as happy as it makes me.
Figure 6: Layer list from PSD Manager exported PSD file
PSD Manager doesn’t stop there. We can choose to have mattes created for individual objects that can be used as limits for selections in Photoshop. For example, if we aren’t entirely sure we like the color grey for a particular object, we can tell PSD Manager to export a matte for that object then go into Photoshop and use the options available to us there to alter the colors how we see fit. I attempt to demonstrate with Figure 7.
Figure 7: Mattes alter colors in Photoshop
In conclusion, if we use PSD Manager, we don’t have to struggle with managing element files and compositing them in 3ds Max anymore. I recommend you visit Cebas Visual Technology’s site to see examples of PSD Manager’s capabilities related to the following topics:
- Deep-Data Masks (MatteShooter)
- Render Elements Outputs
- Vray Support
- Corona Support
- Name Selection Set Output
- Adjustment Layers
- PSB (Large Document Format)
- Scene Layers Output
- 32-bit PSD (High Dynamic Range)
- 3D Data for After-Effects
- Unlimited Network Rendering, and more
