VFB+ : A Feature-rich Extension to the 3dsmax Frame Buffer

Submitted by rotem on Fri, 2011-08-19 08:15
63 votes
Version: 
2.81
Date Updated: 
07/14/2017

VFB+ v2.81 is now completely free!

Click for Change Log

 Introducing VFB+ v2.81, the advanced virtual frame buffer for Autodesk 3dsmax.

VFB+ works with any renderer which uses the native 3dsmax frame buffer, such as Scanline, Mental Ray, Final Render, IRay, VRay, Corona (when not using the renderer's custom VFB).

The frame buffer has been designed and heavily tested to fit smoothly into any production pipeline, and to streamline the rendering workflow for anyone who renders in 3dsmax.

Version 2.8 is the most powerful and feature packed release yet!

A partial list of features:

  • 32-bit per channel color correction.
  • Various correction controls including exposure, gamma, multi-channel curves, vignette, chromatic aberration, bloom, glare, blur/sharpen, speckle reduction, noise reduction, etc.
  • Depth of Field based on Z-Depth.
  • VFB+ is active while rendering, including tweaking of color correction and stamping.
  • Captures Render Elements, G-Buffer channels, and RTT elements as well as the main pass.
  • Composition guides help you tweak your image.
  • Pixel Aspect Ratio correction display.
  • 4 different A|B comparison modes.
  • Display modes for all channels.
  • Support for 3D color LUTs.
  • Realtime RGB Histogram.
  • Rich WYSIWYG stamping system with virtually any imaginable variable including arbitrary MAXScript expressions.
  • Fully documented.
  • Customizable interoperability options.
  • MAXScript interface provides access to almost all features.

See the link for download and complete details.

Version Requirement: 
3dsmax 2009-2018
Video URL: 
Links
Homepage URL: 
http://www.monotoneminimal.com
Download URL: 
http://www.monotoneminimal.com/vfb

Comments

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Artie's picture
Submitted by Artie on Mon, 2011-08-22 08:28.

Thanks very much for this script!

I'm going to use it every time. Just want to point a bug(?) i came at: it doesn't allow to save a rendered image after applying CC. Of course, it's not a terribly crucial option - just made a little feedback on it.
Thanks!

Martin Breidt's picture
Submitted by Martin Breidt on Mon, 2011-08-22 03:45.

Thank you!

Thanks very much for your replies and the link to the download (here's a shortcut to it, hpoe it works: http://tinyurl.com/3ba5dvk). I'll see whether I can repro the modality problem and let you know.

Martin

rotem's picture
Submitted by rotem on Mon, 2011-08-22 03:28.

Thank you

Thanks for the feedback, it is much appreciated. I will respond to your comments point-by-point.

exposure/curve settings: Not yet, but this is definitely planned for the next versions (I'll get to work on it after I finish fixing all the bugs).

source code: I've published the full source code including the c# code for the DLL on a thread on CGTalk. I can not post the link here, because it triggers the spam filter, but if you google "cgtalk vfb+ source code" you should find it. I will continue to update the source code there whenever I update the tool here.

closing sub-dialogs: Are you talking about the color-correction controls? If so, this is intended behaviour. It is for when you want to have color correction applied, but don't want the controls obscuring your image. To disable the color correction altogether, you need to press the CC toggle buttons from the toolbar.

modality issue: I've not experienced this issue, could you please give me an example and/or steps for reproducing the bug?

Martin Breidt's picture
Submitted by Martin Breidt on Mon, 2011-08-22 03:14.

Looks great

This looks like a great script, loved the first few tests. Is it possible to save/restore different exposure/curve settings?

Thank you very much for sharing AND for posting source code. Would it be also possible to include the code for the dotNet DLL?

There seems to be a bug in how you handle the "sub-dialogs" - clicking on the 'x' to close them will not disable the button. Also, some dialogs are modal but do not stay 'in front', causing 3ds Max to look like it's frozen.

But again, looks like a very useful script!

Martin

rotem's picture
Submitted by rotem on Mon, 2011-08-22 02:22.

Bugs

I am currently working on fixing several bugs and will release an updated version in the coming days.

rotem's picture
Submitted by rotem on Sat, 2011-08-20 13:33.

I agree that those are all

I agree that those are all great features in the Vray VFB. On top of that, the Vray VFB is HDR, while mine is 8-bit. Unfortunately, all or most of those features are not implementable using maxscript. There is no maxscript control of what happens during a render.

The exception is history list ... that is a feature I've been meaning to implement for some time... I will consider it for the next version, thank you.

mustafa mamdouh's picture
Submitted by mustafa mamdouh on Sat, 2011-08-20 11:59.

my mistake!!

Sorry it's working Great now ... it gave me error when i tried to run it from maxscript menu
that's really SMART script cares more about our needs and make the workflow easier & faster ...
I'm testing right now .. and very impressed with the features there but to be honest i miss some stuff in vary VFB like {track mouse while render - grouping render elements in one FB - history list - view render gamma corrected while rendering)

thanks

thanks to scriptspot community

rotem's picture
Submitted by rotem on Sat, 2011-08-20 10:20.

A few bugfixes

A few issues have been fixed:

  • Previously the buttons of the standard VFB did not work when script was installed.
  • Zoom now does not reset if flipping through images of same size.
  • 'Open in Photoshop' image is color corrected and includes alpha.
  • Installing the script while the VFB is open could cause an execption.
  • When G-Buffer channels were enabled some buttons were missing from the toolbar.

I am still contemplating the issue of seperate CC settings for each image in the history. Moulder gave an example of when this would be desired behaviour, but I can think of other situations where it is not.

rotem's picture
Submitted by rotem on Sat, 2011-08-20 01:36.

Thank you

@moulder6: Let me reply to your comments one by one:

  • The "PS" button: The frame buffer operates in 8-bit, so I'm afraid that's a limitation for now. You're right, it should be sent with the edits applied, I will fix this. The cut off alpha issue is a bit tricky, I will try to look for a solution.
  • Remembering CC settings per image: This is a very good idea, I will try to think of a way to implement it.
  • Zoom reseting: You're absolutely right, I will fix this.
  • Replacing the window entirely: I'm afraid this is not possible, as I have no access to the contents of the frame buffer window during the rendering itself. You'll notice that the script toggles off when you start a render and starts back on when the render finishes. So you will not be able to see the image during rendering if it were only using my tool... it's implemented as one ugly Win32 hack over another as is Cool.

@lucpet59: Thank you very much :)

@mustafa mamdouh: Hmm that's very strange, you're the first to report this error... could you give me details about your max version, OS version, and exactly how you are installing?

mustafa mamdouh's picture
Submitted by mustafa mamdouh on Fri, 2011-08-19 21:22.

Error!!

I couldn't install it on 3ds max 2012 64-bi
get this error: --Runtime error: Missing or invalid zip package file:C:\..script path..\vfbplus.mzp

hope you find solution
thanks

thanks to scriptspot community

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