topic Difference between overallmultiplier, render multiplier and output in 3ds Max Forum

Difference between overallmultiplier, render multiplier and output

Darwin33 — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 08:37:59 GMT

I have made this question some time ago, but still dont understand those differences. Let me explain myself and then correct me.

1 Overall multiplier, acts both in the render and in the image in the material editor. So, does only act in the intensity of the background or also in the intensity of the lighting in the scene.

2 Regarding the render multiplier, if acts only in render view, is it not redundant concerning the overall multiplier that offer a plus with a view in the material editor.

3 Regarding output, I dont know whats the diference from using multiplier intesity in the lighting editor or the overall multiplier.

Re: Difference between overallmultiplier, render multiplier and output

hagen.deloss — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 22:46:39 GMT

Hi @Darwin33

Thanks for posting your question to the forums!

What render engine are you using?
The multiplier on a single light is that specific lights intensity, is this what you are talking about?
What overall multiplier are you speaking of? The overall Environment and Effects exposure settings?

If you would like to post any scene render settings screenshots, I would be more then happy to help clarify further!

Re: Difference between overallmultiplier, render multiplier and output

hagen.deloss — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 16:50:58 GMT

@Darwin33

Any ideas or questions on my previous post? It would be helpful if you had time to give an update, that way other Community Members can benefit from your process 😄

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Difference between overallmultiplier, render multiplier and output

Darwin33 — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 15:41:57 GMT

Sorry for my late reply.

My question is not related either to the "light intensity multiplier" or to the "overall Environment and Effects exposure settings". NeverthelessI find very interesting the "Envirnment and Effects exposure settings" topic, I never used and never research on them, so I will try this weekend.

My question is regarding to what I point in the attached pic, and the difference I can get acting in the controls of the attached screenshot overall multiplier and render multiplier, and acting in the light multiplier to get more intensity in the light, using HDRI image for lighting. Also I would like to know which is the relation of this options with the output control also you find in the material editor of an HDRI, apparently all this 3 act modiying the intensity of light, but which differences can I expect from using one to another.

Re: Difference between overallmultiplier, render multiplier and output

Darwin33 — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 14:25:24 GMT

By the way, I am using Vray.

Re: Difference between overallmultiplier, render multiplier and output

hagen.deloss — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 21:33:13 GMT

Hi @Darwin33

I am not super familiar with V-Ray specifically, as I don't have it installed. However I did find a great article written by Ben Tate on his website here, here is what the article says.

"These two values can be used to directly control the overall brightness of the loaded HDR image. The Overall Mult: value will affect both rendering and the image preview in the Material Editor. While the Render Mult: value will only affect the image at render time."

The description here on the V-Ray official documentation is very similar here.

Overall multiplier: A control for the overall brightness of the image. This multiplier affects both rendering and the material editor.
Render multiplier: Controls the brightness of the HDRI image only when rendering; it has no effect on the display of the image in the material editor.

I hope this helps answer your question!

Re: Difference between overallmultiplier, render multiplier and output

Darwin33 — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 19:56:06 GMT

Thx, really cool article.

Re: Difference between overallmultiplier, render multiplier and output

3d-labor — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 12:12:02 GMT

I read different sources on this topic and came to no exact conclusion. In my attemts I found out the following:

- Overall mult. has influence on the picture in the material editor, the environment presentation in the viewport and in the rendering

- Render mult. has influence only on the viewport and the rendering.

The issue in my opinion is, the both are multiplied. For example, the settings 1/40 create the same rendering as the settings of 4/10. And the viewport background from the environment map is always way too bright.

It would be better, if one is only responsible for the material editor and the viewport and the other only for the rendering. In my workflow I have to dim always the "Render mult:" down to see it better in the viewport. Before rendering I have to switch it back. Did I oversee a feature? How can I obtain a good visible representation of the environment map in the viewport and a good setting for the render the same time? Ok, I could divide the environment map from the map for the lighting of the scene....