Render Passes or AOVs segregate the different aspects of the scene, rendering each aspect across multiple images. This is useful in fine-tuning projects, compositing, and creating remarkably detailed and photorealistic images.The Render AOVs can then be composited directly in Octane using the Output AOV nodes.


The Render AOVs are accessible from the Node Inspector window without adding and connecting a specific Render AOV node to the scene - click on the Render AOV icon in the Node Inspector and choose the desired AOV from the drop down list (figure 1).



Render AOVs




Figure 1: Accessing AOVs using the icon next to the Node Inspector

 


Multiple AOVs can be added using the above method by first selecting Render AOV Group from the AOV list (figure 2). More AOV slots can be added by clicking on the Add Input button.



Render AOV Group




Figure 2: Adding the Render AOV Group node to apply multiple AOVs

 

Render AOV Group Node Parameters

Raw - Converts the Beauty AOVs to raw AOVs by factoring out the color of the BxDF of the surface hit by the camera ray.

Cryptomatte Bins - Determines the number of cryptomatte bins to render.

Cryptomatte Seed Factor - Determines the amount of samples to use for seeding cryptomattes.

Max Info Samples - The maximum number of samples for the info passes.

Info Sampling Mode - Enables motion blur and depth of field along with setting pixel filtering modes.

    • Distributed Rays - Enables motion blur and DOF as well as enabling pixel filtering.
    • Non-Distributed with Pixel Filtering - Disables motion blur and DOF, but leaves pixel filtering enabled.
    • Non-Distributed without Pixel Filtering - Disables motion blur and DOF, and disables pixel filtering for all AOVs except for Render Layer Mask and Ambient Occlusion.

Info Opacity Threshold - Geometry with an opacity equal to or higher than this value is treated as completely opaque.

 

AOVs can be added as individual nodes in the NodeGraph Editor window as well. You can add an AOV node by right-clicking in the Nodegraph Editor and clicking on Render AOVs (figure 3).



Render AOvs Node Graph Editor




Figure 3: Add AOV nodes in the Node Graph Editor window

 


Multiple AOVs nodes can be added and connected via a Render AOV Group (figure 4).



Render AOV Group Node




Figure 4: A Diffuse AOV and Cryptomatte AOV connected via a Render AOV Group node


The Render AOVs can be viewed by selecting their correspinding buttons in the Render Viewport window (figure 5)



Viewing AOVs




Figure 5: Viewing the Render AOVs in the Render Viewport window