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Participant
Sep 16, 2022 4:24 PM UTC
Open for Voting

Importing EXR into Designer is not bringing in the alpha (pure white)

I have a full RGBA exr with alpha.  The alpha only appears pure white.

If I import the full RGBA as a psd, I DO indeed see the alpha data.

 

Am I missing something for getting an EXR alpha to come through on import?

    5 replies

    DJ_3dAuthor
    Participant
    Sep 19, 2022 10:24 PM UTC

    Well wouldn't ya know, I installed houdini and set up an export of an .exr RGBA and it imported into Designer with the alpha channel fine as expected.  I will talk with the people the created the failing .exr initially and see what they think.  If I dont get traction there I may post the .exr and see what happens.  Was hoping to replicate the problem and post that but so far I cant replicate it.

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    davescm
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Sep 17, 2022 10:35 PM UTC

    I don't use Houdini so can't test a file from that app here. If you want to post one I'll try it here.

     

    Dave

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    DJ_3dAuthor
    Participant
    Sep 17, 2022 9:27 PM UTC

    Additionally, if I save from Photoshop as a new .exr, Designer can successfully import that alpha.   So the original seems to have something about it that Designer isn't liking, but other software can read it.

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    DJ_3dAuthor
    Participant
    Sep 17, 2022 9:19 PM UTC

    So the .exr is a file that is generated from Houdini (fairly sure).  If I open in Photoshop I get an 'OpenEXR Read Options' prompt for 'Alpha Channel Data'.  I chose 'As Alpha Channel'. While I can open and save and get what I am after by turning it into a .psd, I am trying to just directly go to Designer to perform other operations.  The other software I have opened it with also sees the alpha data information.   

     

    My process in Designer is to add a Bitmap node and Link to the .exr resource.  I get no prompts and it imports but the alpha is solid white.

     

    I did a test where I saved the .exr from photoshop as a .psd and imported that.  That comes in with the alpha information as expected.  I merged that alpha with my original linked .exr and saved it as a new test.exr.   Then I reimported that test.exr and it does indeed show transparency and alpha information now 😕😕 .   So something is up with the .exr I am trying to use directly but Photoshop and other software see it so I am looking back at Designer like ok what dont you like about this or not handling?

     

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    davescm
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Sep 17, 2022 3:27 PM UTC

    How was the exr saved?

    If from Photoshop, did you use the EXR-IO plug in and did you have a mask or transparency? If a mask, it would seem to need the mask to be applied first and then the file saved as EXR. That correctly imports as RGBA.

     

    Dave

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