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Skills Expanded

Multi-pass Rendering with V-Ray and Maya

by Daniel Miller

This course teaches you how to create separate rendering passes with V-Ray and Maya that can be combined with simple compositing to create the full beauty render and move beyond it.

What you'll learn

You want that perfect render straight out of Maya, but the reality is that tweaks will be needed in production. In this course, Multi-pass Rendering with V-Ray and Maya, you will learn foundational knowledge of/gain the ability to nail that "look", integrate with a live-action plate, or make changes based on client and production notes quickly and efficiently.

First, you will explore the wealth of options in V-Ray for Maya to empower compositing, such as splitting the render into:

  • Diffuse
  • Reflections
  • Refraction parts
  • Motion vectors
Next, you will discover depth passes and a whole slew of specialist passes that can enable relighting in your team's 2D application of choice.
Finally, you will learn how to enable a vast array of adjustments in 2D and save on long and expensive 3D renders.

When you’re finished with this course, you will have the skills and knowledge of multi-pass rendering needed to fulfill deadlines, collaborate smoothly with colleagues, and satisfy creative clients.

Table of contents

Course Overview
1min

Course FAQ

What is multi-pass rendering?

Multipass rendering is a post-production process of dividing an image into separate layers and tweaking each individual layer for a more fully optimized overall image. It is often used for adjusting the color and intensity of lighting.

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn all about multipass rendering with V-Ray and Maya, including such topics as:

  • Rebuilding the beauty pass
  • Creating and using object IDs
  • Re-lighting the scene
  • Using pWorld passes
  • Setting up an efficient render pipeline
  • Mattes, layers, depth, and motion passes
  • Much more
What are the prerequisites to this course?

Before taking this course on multipass rendering, you should know the basics of Autodesk Maya. Any previous experience with V-Ray and Nuke will be helpful, but is not essential.

Who should take this course?

Anyone who wants to learn multipass rendering in Maya and V-Ray should take this course. If you work in digital VFX or other art-form professions, this course is for you!

About the author

Daniel trained in traditional film-making and began using digital VFX in his own films, becoming excited about the possibilities of it as an art-form and profession. Working across 2D and 3D with Nuke, Maya, After Effects and V-Ray and Python as tools of the trade; mentoring junior artists and helping directors and clients achieve their visions. His work can be seen in Films and TV shows such as Baby Driver, The Crown, Year Million, Sherlock, War on Everyone and Absolutely Fabulous.

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