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V-Ray for Nuke

Reflection Raw

This page gives some basic details about the Reflection Raw render element and how it is used in compositing.

Last updated 18 September 2025

This page gives some basic details about the Reflection Raw render element and how it is used in compositing.

Overview

The Reflection Raw Render Element stores reflection information calculated from the materials' reflection values in the scene. Surfaces with no reflection values set in their materials will contain no information in the render element, which means these areas will render as black. When the Reflection Raw Render Element is multiplied by the Reflection Filter, the Reflection Render Element is produced.

Reflection Raw gives the full reflection of objects reflecting in the scene, while the Reflection Filter sets how much of that reflection should come through in the composite. In other words, the filter defines the strength of the reflection, while the raw image defines what is being reflected in the image. When these two elements are multiplied, the true level of reflection is given as the Reflection Render Element. By using these component parts of the reflection, you can fine-tune the reflection in your final composite.

UI Path: ||Toolbar|| > V-Ray Menu icon > Render > VRayRenderElement > Type: Reflection Raw

Properties

The Reflection Raw render element has no controllable properties.

Common uses

The Raw Reflection Render Element is useful for changing the appearance of reflective scene elements in compositing or image editing software after the scene is rendered. Below are a couple of examples of its use.

Reflection Render Element

Original Beauty Composite

Brightened Reflection Render Element

Brightened and warmed Reflection Render Element

Brightened reflections

Warmed and raised reflections

Underlying Compositing Equation

Reflection Raw x Reflection Filter = Reflection