Masks

This page provides information about the V-Ray Masks.

Overview

The V-Ray Masks are used to refine only selected parts of the rendered image in the VFB. They can be applied to Color correction layers, Lens Effects, the Denoiser, Folders and also to Render Elements (when the Source layer is set to Composite) in the VFB layers tree.

V-Ray Mask can be created using the Add layer button. The same option is available in the right-click context menu of the layer tree under the New layer category. There's also a quick Mask creation button in the Properties area of folders and layers.
When one or more masks are applied to a folder or layer, a mask icon is placed in front of it in the layer tree to signify its presence. The parameters of each mask are available in their own separate tabs to the Properties of the masked layer or folder.

The masked areas are defined by selection of objects, materials, groups, layers, etc. To specify them, respective Render Elements must be available in the rendered image. Currently, there are four Mask types: Integer Mask, MultiMatte Mask, Image Alpha Mask, and Cryptomatte Mask.

UI Path:

||V-Ray Frame Buffer|| > Layers > Select layer or folder > Add button
||V-Ray Frame Buffer|| > Layers > Select layer or folder > right-click menu New Layer option
||V-Ray Frame Buffer|| > Layers > Select layer or folder > Properties > Add new mask layer button

Parameters

The following parameters are common for all masks:

Blending – Determines how multiple masks are blended together over a single correction layer:

Overwrite – Sets the current mask as it is, without blending it with the masks before it (standing on its left).
Add – Adds the current mask to the result of all masks before it. This is the default mode.
Subtract – Subtracts the mask from the result of all masks before it.
Multiply – Multiplies the mask with the result of all masks before it.
Divide – Divides the mask by the result of all masks before it.

Element – Specifies the render element from which the mask is read. Only render elements available in the rendered image and compatible with the type of the mask are listed in the drop down.

Opacity – (Mask opacity multiplier) Determines to what degree the selected layer obscures or reveals the layer beneath it. Even if there’s only one mask child, you can modify its opacity. The opacity is multiplied with the mask color.

Show preview when selected - When enabled, shows a preview of the mask if the mask is selected.

Invert mask – When enabled, inverts the mask results.

– Аdds a new mask layer.

– Shows all tabs of the currently selected color correction layer.

Max2024_VRay6.2_Masks_Common

MultiMatte Mask

The MultiMatte Mask is based on the MultiMatteElement Render Element.

Use red – Uses the red channel as a grayscale mask.

Use green – Uses the green channel as a grayscale mask.

Use blue – Uses the blue channel as a grayscale mask.

Use intensity – Uses the pixel intensity as a grayscale mask.

Max2024_VRay6.2_Masks_MultiMatte

Integer Mask

The Integer Mask is used with VRayRenderID, VRayObjectID, and VRayMtlID Render Elements, and the output of VRayObjectID and VRayMtlID must be set to integer. You can choose which IDs should be in the mask.

+/- Pick – Adds/removes items by picking them from the Render View. When activated and the mouse is inside the Render View, a red square indicates where the value is exactly picked.

Value – Shows the mask ID on hover over the rendered frame. If you click on a selection in the Render View, the current ID is added/removed from the list below, depending on the Pick mode.

New item – A field to type a mask ID manually and then add it to the current selection with the + button.

+ – Adds IDs to the list.

- – Removes IDs from the list.

Max2024_VRay6.2_Masks_MtlID

Cryptomatte Mask

The Cryptomatte Mask is based on the V-Ray Cryptomatte Render Element.

+/- Pick – Adds/removes items by picking them from the Render View. When activated and the mouse is inside the Render View, a red square indicates where the value is exactly picked.

Value – Shows the mask ID on hover over the rendered frame. If you click on a selection in the Render View, the current ID is added to the list below.

New item – A field to type in a mask ID and add it to the current selection with the + button. The text is case insensitive.

+ – Adds IDs to the list.

- – Removes IDs from the list.

Max2024_VRay6.2_Masks_Cryptomatte

Image Alpha Mask

The Image Alpha Mask is based on the rendered Alpha channel.

Show preview when selected – Shows the preview of the image alpha.

Invert mask – Inverts the mask.

Example: Apply Masks in VFB

This video shows you how to apply masks on Lens Effects and Denoiser in the VFB.

Notes

• Currently, there are masks based only on some V-Ray render elements. The different mask types filter the list of all elements and show only the suitable ones.