Render Elements require rendering of Main Pass

Currently in order to output a Matte pass (or any other render element) in 3ds Max, you are required to render the main image which could take hours, when the matte pass itself is rendered in mere seconds. The current work around is to disable shadows, reflections, refractions, final gather, GI, etc. in order to decrease render time for the main image. However, this is a pain to have to do.

47 votes

danpool shared this idea · Mar 17, 2011 · Flag idea as inappropriate… · Admin →

5 comments

AdminMartin B (Admin, Autodesk) commented · July 4, 2012 2:05 a.m. · Flag as inappropriate · Delete

Also see

http://3dsmaxfeedback.autodesk.com/forums/76763-small-annoying-things/suggestions/1743335-render-elements-save-even-when-save-rendered-imag
g_lab commented · March 29, 2012 7:42 a.m. · Flag as inappropriate · Delete

I understand that some passes need the whole calculation to be done. But e.g. Z-Depth should definitely be available as a "render element only".
pixelerator7 commented · April 19, 2011 11:48 p.m. · Flag as inappropriate · Delete

"render element only" I'm in for that!
Wobi commented · March 29, 2011 2:15 a.m. · Flag as inappropriate · Delete

Thats why it is a PASS, because it renders WITH the main render. This is the logic behind passes. What you really want is a build-in render layer manager like in maya (RPManager, LPM, etc.)
tadland commented · March 25, 2011 3:52 a.m. · Flag as inappropriate · Delete

so many things to fix... but this one is often annoying!
The title should be "render element only" ! :)