Greg Hughes

What is the difference between using the Labs Karma node and the Karma node in Houdini 20.5?

If I drop the Karma node from the tab menu is adds a Karma Render Settings node connected to a USD Render ROP.

If I drop the Labs Karma node I get a single Karma node.

Is the only real difference that the Labs Karma node does not have the option to select it for use in the viewport and that you have to manually add a USD Render ROP if you want one?

I am just wondering why selecting the Karma option in the tab menu defaults to a Karma Render Settings node connected to a USD Render ROP.

Apparently the Labs Karma node has been deprecated and will be deleted in future versions.

Thanks for your reply Heileif.

I am just learning Karma, so I am not sure where you set image node to vector. Do you mean a MaterialX node if using Solaris, not a Principled Shader? I am more familiar with the Mantra workflow.

If I set Houdini to ACES color space and I want to use a normal map, how do I indicate to Houdini not to convert it to ACES color space? As I understand it, normal maps should not be converted for them to work properly, but if it has a .png extension I assume Houdini will convert it.

If I use a displacement map in RAW (linear) format, will Houdini recognise not to convert it? Is this based on its file extension, e.g. should I use .tiff file extension to indicate it is linear and not to be altered? Or is there a partucluar file type I should use?