Render Layers are used to isolate objects as a separate primary render. More information can be found in the Render Layers section.  Render Layer AOVs further break down the render layers into any of three AOV component types:

  • Black Layer Shadows - Isolates direct shadows cast by objects with specific layer IDs onto other surfaces and displays them as pure black and white shadow values. This option requires that the Alpha channel be enabled in the Kernel settings, otherwise the result will not be visible.
  • Layer Reflections - Captures light reflected off objects with specific layer IDs.
  • Layer Shadows - Captures colored or tinted shadows cast by objects with specific layer IDs onto other surfaces.