Shade 9 Extract Z-depth
From ShadeCamp
Contents |
Extract Z-depth
Extract Z-depth Overview
Extract Z-depth is a 2D effect that extracts the Zdepth computed with a rendered image, converts it to gray-scale, and copies it to the RGB channels of the image.
Extract Z-depth is a two-way multi-plug-in consisting of the Rendered image contextual menu version that operates on rendered images and the Effecter version that can be used in animation rendering.
In both versions, the original Alpha channel remains as is.
The closest Pixels are converted to black, and the most distant ones become white.
Note: Although the real Z-depth values generated by Shade consist of 32 bits of information for each Pixel, the information is rounded off to 8 bits per Pixel when the value is converted to a gray-scale image. Therefore, the full Z-depth information cannot be utilized. The color (brightness) of the background is not guaranteed after the Z-depth is extracted. The plug-in assumes that it is being applied only to areas where shapes exist, which is determined from the Alpha channel.
Using Extract Z-depth Functions
Contextual Menu Version
The Extract Z-depth of the Rendered image contextual menu extracts Z-depth for a rendered image with Zdepth. If no rendered image exists, or if the rendered image has no Z-depth, an error message will be displayed.
To obtain a rendered image with Z-depth, turn the Keep Z check box on in the Misc. Rendering options.
1. In a rendered image with Z-depth, right click (Win) / control key + click (Mac) the mouse on the Image window.
2. When you choose Extract Z-depth from the contextual menu, the Z-depth value is immediately extracted.
Note: You cannot cancel this process.
Effector Version
The Extract Z-depth of the Effector version extracts Z-depth for a rendered image immediately after the rendering is finished. The original image is not saved.
1. Choose Extract Z-depth from the Effector pulldown menu of the Effects tab in the Rendering options.
2. After rendering, you obtain an image whose Z-depth is converted into gray scale. The Extract Z-depth of the Effector version can be applied in animation rendering.
The Effector version also supports Area Rendering.
After performing a normal rendering without using the Effector plug-in, choose the Extract Z-depth Effector in the Rendering options, and then perform a Area Rendering. The Z-depth is converted to gray scale only for the selected area.
Note: The brightness for each pixel is based on the maximum and minimum Z-depth values within the area to be rendered. Therefore, the result may differ between Area Rendering and complete rendering.
Notes on the Extract Z-depth Function
Anti-aliasing is not applied to Z-depth regardless of the Anti-aliasing setting in the Rendering options. Therefore, for rendering in which the Extract Z-depth function will be used, turn off the Anti-aliasing setting to speed up the rendering. |
