Saving in EXR: Render Elements are not saved

[TomChad]

Hi,

I want to render using the Open EXR format.
Unfortunately only the beauty is saved, not the render elements although I ticked the "Automatically Add/Remove Render Elements from Render Dialog" option.

I tried using Corona, Arnold and Scanline renderers, it always fails.

Thanks a lot for your help,

3ds Max 2023.3.4 Security Fix (25.0 - 25.3.4.84)
Windows 10 Pro 22H2 up to date

[TomChad]

Has anyone had the same problem?
I'd like to have some help please.

[TomChad · Accepted solution]

As I don't have any answer, here is the solution, that I found by posting on Corona render forum:
_ if you plan to access the render elements in After Effects, add the 'Extractor' effect to your exr file
_ if you plan to access them in Photoshop instead, you must first install the Exr-IO plugin

[CAMedeck]

Hi TomChad.  Sorry no one assisted you with your question, but thank you for posting your solution for when others encounter this.  It's been many years since I experimented with rendering to EXR, but as you found, it's a matter of adding to your post-production software to get the additional channels recognized.  

One reason we didn't continue using EXR was that they aren't easily previewed like a PNG or JPG.  There are other limitations within PS and AE when working with floating point, such as available effects, that deterred us as well.  I do miss working with the floating point format, and being able to brighten a dark image or bringing down an overexposed rendering without losing detail.