I'm currently admitting defeat on this one:
I want to: output a 'final render', that has a background plate with a shadow catcher.
I've read the help files, viewed the videos, followed the instructions (I believe), tried CPU and XPU, explored too many minor variations - but I still can't get a simple single layer render containing all elements.
Can anyone offer a solution?
The challenge: Output a shadow catcher and background direct
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- Mike_A
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- TheNotepadShow
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- Mike_A
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Todd - many thanks, but no this doesn't solve my issue. I've no problem setting up a background plate and rendering the shadows as a holdout-shadows layer for post render compositing - as per your example scene. The Karma viewport does show the background plate and shadows but this is just a preview - it does not match the render.
What I can't get is a single layer render ie: one that matches the Karma viewport - containing the shadows and background plate.
The help says this is possible. Here's the link:
https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/nodes/lop/backgroundplate.html [www.sidefx.com]
Scroll down the page to: "Add background plate to the final render"
I've followed those instructions without success.
What I can't get is a single layer render ie: one that matches the Karma viewport - containing the shadows and background plate.
The help says this is possible. Here's the link:
https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/nodes/lop/backgroundplate.html [www.sidefx.com]
Scroll down the page to: "Add background plate to the final render"
I've followed those instructions without success.
Edited by Mike_A - Feb. 1, 2025 11:02:57
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- TheNotepadShow
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Hey Mike,
I got it working no problem.. Didn't realize that you wanted the output.. only thought you needed viewport only. Sorry for confusion.
Todd
See Attached.
Pay attention to the render settings edit node.. you have to implicitly set the primitive to the "/render/rendersettings". At least that is what I did, and it worked. What do I get for the challenge? Is there money, prizes, eternal glory?
I got it working no problem.. Didn't realize that you wanted the output.. only thought you needed viewport only. Sorry for confusion.
Todd
See Attached.
Pay attention to the render settings edit node.. you have to implicitly set the primitive to the "/render/rendersettings". At least that is what I did, and it worked. What do I get for the challenge? Is there money, prizes, eternal glory?
Edited by TheNotepadShow - Feb. 1, 2025 20:28:50
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- Mike_A
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Todd - thanks for the follow up. After carefully comparing your set up and mine - which looked identical - I've finally got it.
The main issue was as you suggested: the need to implicitly set the prim to "/render/rendersettings". In addition to that I'd messed up some 'edit render setting' by messing around with the initialise menu.
I'm not sure about the 'eternal' bit : ), but certainly enjoy this moment of glory and kudos with my sincere thanks : ) You delivered!
The main issue was as you suggested: the need to implicitly set the prim to "/render/rendersettings". In addition to that I'd messed up some 'edit render setting' by messing around with the initialise menu.
I'm not sure about the 'eternal' bit : ), but certainly enjoy this moment of glory and kudos with my sincere thanks : ) You delivered!
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- TheNotepadShow
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- Mirko Jankovic
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- TheNotepadShow
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Hey Mirko,
If you render out the beauty pass in your "karmarendersettings" node that will include the C AOV, and HoldOUT AOVs. It is the default. Did you not try that? Did it not work? I don't use Karma that often, if ever. I am a RenderMan user. But I did a test with the above files and it works fine. You can also select no AOVs, and it will output just the holdouts.
What compositing program are you using, just curious? Do you know how to work with multi-pass EXRs?
See attached screenshot.
If you render out the beauty pass in your "karmarendersettings" node that will include the C AOV, and HoldOUT AOVs. It is the default. Did you not try that? Did it not work? I don't use Karma that often, if ever. I am a RenderMan user. But I did a test with the above files and it works fine. You can also select no AOVs, and it will output just the holdouts.
What compositing program are you using, just curious? Do you know how to work with multi-pass EXRs?
See attached screenshot.
Edited by TheNotepadShow - Feb. 16, 2025 19:44:39
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- Mirko Jankovic
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Actually finally did it last night with a help form friend 
So problem was that I was not aware that we can use background plate only withouth any images in there and that it outputs those AOVs anyway.
And then it was only matter of compositing itself. So all good!
AfterFX managed with Extractor to get all passes and proper alpha,
Need a bit more tinkering in Davinci Resolve, but should be same principle also so all good now!
Still would be simpler if we only had shadow mate material like it was there before for mantra but.. Oh well at least solved it finally.
Thanks!
So problem was that I was not aware that we can use background plate only withouth any images in there and that it outputs those AOVs anyway.
And then it was only matter of compositing itself. So all good!
AfterFX managed with Extractor to get all passes and proper alpha,
Need a bit more tinkering in Davinci Resolve, but should be same principle also so all good now!
Still would be simpler if we only had shadow mate material like it was there before for mantra but.. Oh well at least solved it finally.
Thanks!
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