VR 360 Maya 2017 Arnold Animated Image Sequences

[Anonymous]

I'm a noob with Maya, basically we're experimenting with Maya 2017 for a VR project, importing 2D animated image sequences that have transparent backgrounds onto objects as texture materials and then rendering as equirectangular imgs (spherical cam) through Arnold Renderer (for 360 renders). 

We're having some issues with it reading the alpha img sequences. Apparently using an aiStandard + Opacity with a Tiff sequence should read, but the 2D animation sequence ends up filling the entire object/plane. Does anyone know the exact settings and connections within the graph network? 

The screenshot shows an export test - the mossy rectangular is the animation stretched onto a plane after using an aiStandard/opacity - (on a lambert, it shows the animation strokes but with black around it) the animation should just be brush strokes that have the moss texture, but the render shows the texture full bled and no animated brush strokes. 

Any suggestions? Step by step breakdowns appreciated! 

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Anonymous and welcome to the community!

When you say its filling the entire object, do you mean the transparency isn't working?

Do you have a transparency map for the arnold shader?

When you get a chance, please come back with as much information as possible!

[Anonymous]

Hello thanks for replying @sean.heasley –

So my image sequences are exported from After Effects (RGB+Alpha/ Straight unmatted for transparent background)– what makes it very particular is that my sequence uses an alpha matte in AE (a video under an animated layer, I'm planning to use this as an aesthetic) - and I believe Arnold aiStandard Shader isn't reading the alpha matte on the sequence, which is why for example on a plane shape, it fills the entire image with the video layer and not the animated mask.

Lambert reads the mask/transparency areas correctly, but when I render a Lambert in Arnold for an equirectangular image, it doesn't read the transparency. I read in the forums to use aiStandard, but the result is that it's not reading the initial alpha matte. 

For the transparency map - I have exported a black/white alpha version of the animated sequence but not entirely sure where to connect it to! 

*the attached screenshot shows the example of the animated brush stroke, when it's in Maya > aiStandard > exported through Arnold, all you see is the entire video and not the animated brush strokes.

Right now I'm trying to maybe re-export my AE sequences and try .exr.....

[Stephen.Blair]

You have to plug something into Standard Surface > Geometry > Opacity

And clear the Opaque flag on the shape

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Anonymous

Thanks for your detailed post! @Stephen.Blair has the right idea and when you get a chance, please follow those steps and let me know how it works for you!

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hello @sean.heasley @Stephen.Blair

Finally got it, it was a combination of things so Arnold could read the alpha matting in the sequence

– AE export render via Media Encoder to OpenEXR image sequence + Alpha Channel > assign aiStandard (deselect Opaque in Arnold down settings) > Hypershade color & file > Graph Network of aiStandard "Opacity" connect "Out Alpha" nodes to Opacity RGBs

Thank you!

[sean.heasley]

Awesome! I'm glad you figured it out !