IPR progressive refinement lighter than final result

[Jixal]

Hi,

The IPR progressive refinement is lighter than the final image, once it stops there is a noticeable step down in exposure. Using 3DS Max 2022, Arnold 4.3.3.21

This is a known problem and can be fixed via disabling the physical exposure setting in the environment tab. Ciro Cardoso made a good video about it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsJ7B5lb-C8

Is this a bug or is this working as intended? I feel like there should be some warning or public service announcement about it, as it's a very obscure problem that can be frustrating to solve quickly! 🙂

I guess this means we can't use the physical camera properly at the moment and instead have to control the exposure via Arnold Render View?

Cheers,

J

[Stephen.Blair]

In general, the issue (I think) is that if you go through the 3ds Max framebuffer, then 3ds Max can apply things (like exposure) that do not happen if you go directly through Arnold.

Where does the final image come from?

[CiroCardoso3v]

Stephen, this is the situation when the artist is using the Physical Exposure Control from 3ds Max. After the render finishes, Arnold in the background applies the Exposure and Tonemapping, making the final render darker, then the progressive refinement stage.