Render Elements

Render Elements are a way to break out renders into their component parts such as diffuse color, reflections, shadows, mattes, etc. This gives fine control over the final image when using compositing or image editing applications to re-assemble the component elements. Render elements are also sometimes known as render passes.

Render elements appear in the V-Ray Frame Buffer (VFB) and can be viewed from the drop-down at the upper left corner of the VFB. They can also be saved out of the VFB as many common file formats.

Render elements are generated at render time based on the user's selection before rendering. Most render elements have parameters that can be customized to further assist the composting process. These parameters are described on each render element's individual page.

The Render Elements window consists of three panels.

Left panel contains all of the V-Ray render elements. There is a search bar on top to help narrow down your choice.

You can drag and drop a render element on its own to add it for rendering, or add the whole group. The render elements are grouped into the following categories: Beauty, Advanced, Matte, Geometry, Utility and Other.

Center panel lists the added render elements that are included in the VFB as render channels.

Properties are displayed on the right-hand panel and offers control over the representation of the selected channel.