Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Sweetening 3D Renders by Using Photoshop
With a rendered image completed and outputs ready (either exported separately or included in a layered PSD
file) you can start post-processing. In this section, you will look at some simple adjustment and corrective
editing as well as some features that can be added to stylize the finished render. Many of these effects can be
achieved in a render without post-processing, but the ability to do these things and adjust them in seconds
as opposed to waiting on new renders can be a great benefit to any workflow.
To start working with render outputs, place the Diffuse layer underneath the Transparent Shading and the
Reflective Shading layers. Start by setting the Transparent and Reflective layers to a Screen blending mode.
If you have a Specular layer, this can also be layered and set to Screen. Once this is done, your image should
look nearly identical to the beauty pass (if not indistinguishable). In the case of
Figure 12-32
,
I left out the
Specular pass because I did not like the effect on the finished render. Alternately, you could keep that layer
and simply reduce the opacity to lessen the effect.
Figure 12-32:
When composited correctly, the individual render passes display all of the results of a com-
plete render but with more control.
