The zDepth render pass

#1

I need some help please setting up a depth pass in maya. When I go into the preset, and choose luminance depth, this should do the magic. But all I get is a multiply divide node, a sampler node connected to a white surface shader, and no depth (I would have assumed I should use a ramp shader for this). Anyone knows how I should set this up so that it works as I want? The only thing I get is a flat white object…

#2

IN MAYA
Boy I’ve searched and found this awnser so many times!

I might forget something but:

  • make sure you render in .exr
  • make sure you have “camera depth” checked in mental ray’s render settings
  • choose “camera depth” instead of luminance depth
    and…
  • Choose the scanline rendering instead of the raytracer * don’t ask me why…

You can “render view” one frame, right click on the image and then File/Load render Pass/camera depth to validate that your output is ok. If you see only black or only white, you may also have to chage your min and max camera visibility settings.

#3

Thanks so much, I will try this:)

#4

Hey, I am afraid I did´nt obtain what I wished from your instructions. You say I need to use the camera depth instead of luminance depth, this means that I need to use a render pass, doesn´t it? I am not sure where I can choose this. And for the mental ray settings camera depth, should I find this in the render settings window. Or the mental ray tab for an object? I am confused as you can see;-) Also, the .exr, do you mean .ext?

#5

Yes you need to add a new layer to be rendered. Lot of good tutorial in maya on youtube…

Render layers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmRQY4N-J0E&feature=related

render z-depth in maya:
http://www.google.ca/#sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=maya+render+zdepth&aq=f&aqi=&aql=f&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=214d279676d815fd&biw=1540&bih=570

Render in Open EXR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOu2ui2BPW8

I hope you find something there…

#6

Basically:

  1. select your objects and lights in Maya
  2. create a new render layer
  3. right-click on your layer and add pass: camera depth
  4. batch render
  5. open the file in a soft that handles multi-channel EXR, like Nuke or Maya Composite
  6. click on the file and reveal the layer you want

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPS0wXzOWAE

#7

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