Using Rich Pixel Renderings

This section describes how you can use rich pixel renderings in composites. Rich pixel renderings contain additional data (such as Z depth and object ID numbers) that you can use in combustion to add special effects.

In combustion, you can:

• Adjust the depth of the 3D scene. See Z Depth Transforms.
• Cast shadows with combustion lights. See Casting Shadows on 3D Objects.
• Match the combustion camera to 3ds max. See Using 3ds max Camera Data in combustion.
• Apply 3D Post filters for a variety of effects. See Using 3D Post Filters in combustion.

You create a rich pixel rendering in 3ds max. In addition to the color and alpha channels that are common to most rendered files, a rich pixel rendering contains additional "GBuffer" (for "graphics buffer") channels.

For example, a rich pixel rendering can include a Z Depth channel. This shows the 3D depth of objects (the Z-axis is perpendicular to the screen). With Z Depth data, combustion can display the 3D objects in a single layer as if they were at varying depths in the composite. Objects in the rich pixel layer can appear to be either in front of or behind a video layer. Compositing with Z Depth data is sometimes described as "pseudo-3D." See Z Depth Transforms.

Channels such as the Z Depth channel help you work in a composite without having to re-render a complex 3D scene. Using rich pixel format can help save time when you composite a 3D rendering with 2D layers.