I have been looking online for a tutorial for combining 2 images from different CG software packages that have their respective beauty passes and ZDepth passes for each image and to composite them based on their combined ZDepth passes. Here is what I am working with: I 3DS Max 2014 and Vue Xtreme 10. I have not had satisfactory results when hosting the Vue scene and rendering out as one scene in Max and found that the quality and performance is much better when each package’s renders are done within the respective programs and composited together. When looking online for tutorials for combining based on ZDepth, all I can find is tutorials that deal with the ZDepth pass of only one of the parts. I am looking to combine Max’s output into Vue’s output while taking into account the ZDepth of both passes. I am specifically looking to be able to composite an object that is placed in a field of grass and need both to be placed correctly by their respective ZDepth passes. How can I do this in AfterEffects? I am willing to concede that I am perhaps not using the correct terminology in my searches, but, after almost a week of poking around and playing with what I have, I am no closer to achieving what I am needing than when I started. For simplicity’s sake, I have the beauty pass from Vue and a ZDepth pass for that as well as the beauty pass from Max with its ZDepth pass. Hope this makes sense.:shrug:
Combine Multiple Z Depths
Not sure about after effects, but there is zMerge node in nuke that does this.
BUT it isn’t going to work as you would like. You will have zero anti aliasing, and it won’t support transparency.
Look into deep compositing, but again, not going to work in After Effects.
(i find combining images from two different renderers is painful, I would avoid it)
I figured as much. I don’t use Nuke. I saw how After Effects can place an upper layer on top of the background plate based on where on the background plate’s Zdepth pass you select. I guess I will just have to poke around some more–and yes, I agree with you: I try to avoid it as much as possible. Thanks for the response.
Can you just combine the zdepths in a separate composition simply by using blending modes? e.g. background zdepth from vue on the bottom, foreground objects zdepth from max on top of it with screen or add.
EDIT:
sorry, I misread your post. Using zdepth for actual compositing (masking objects) sounds bad as stated above.