When importing OpenEXR files into Smoke, select the import method based on the type of data contained within: multiple channels or high dynamic range images.

OpenEXR files are designed to support multiple resolutions and additional channels, making them appealing for compositing. Since OpenEXR can store arbitrary channels (such as specular, diffuse, alpha, RGB, normals, etc) in one file, it takes away the need to store this information in separate files. However, to support all channels in Smoke, they need to be converted to separate RGB clips upon import. These RGB files can then be modified and combined to reconstitute the final clip.

If you are importing such OpenEXR files, you can use WiretapCentral to set up OpenEXR transcoding jobs. These jobs output RGB image sequences to a location that is accessible to Smoke.

When importing multiple OpenEXR channels in WiretapCentral, you can only import OpenEXR files in 16-bit floating point format.

OpenEXR files can also store high dynamic range images. Because of the high dynamic range, these images need to be handled in a specific way. You can import a 16-bit floating-point format OpenEXR image file and view it in Smoke the same as any other type of image file. But, in order to perform any image processing or compositing on the OpenEXR image file, you must convert it to a 12-bit, 10-bit, or 8-bit linear format on Autodesk storage.

There are two ways that you can convert OpenEXR images:

• You can convert OpenEXR image files using the LUT Editor, and have control over which areas of the image that you want to highlight or preserve. See Colour Management.
• Alternatively, you can select the Resize option and set the Bit Depth to 8-, 10-, or 12-bit to affect a linear resizing on the OpenEXR image file. Note that with this method you have no control over which areas get highlighted or preserved.

To import an OpenEXR image file:

1. From the clip library, click Import Image.
2. From the File Format box, select the OpenEXR image type.

   
   

   The WiretapCentral button appears.

3. From the Channels box, select which channels you intend to import.

   
   

   If you select MultiChannel, the Load button is grayed out and you must use WiretapCentral to import your files.

4. If you are importing multiple channel OpenEXR files, then click the WiretapCentral button.

   WiretapCentral opens the Import panel in a browser window. Use it to decode your OpenEXR files to a format that is readable in Smoke.

   See the WiretapCentral User Guide.

5. Browse to the directory containing the media that you want to import.

   You can set a number of display and search options to help you find what you need. See Browsing the File System.

   NoteBy default, the file browser points to the images directory for the project.
6. Optional: Enable the Scan Subdirectories button to display all the subdirectories and their contents.
7. Select the image that you want to import.
8. In the File attributes area, ensure that the Bit Depth used in the OpenEXR image file is displayed.

   
   

9. Optional: Specify a previously-created LUT.

   
   

10. Optional: Perform any resizing operations.

    Adjusting the Bit Depth to anything other than 16-bit fp will cause a linear resizing to occur on the OpenEXR file, negating any of its dynamic qualities.

11. Enable Soft-Import Full Res if you want to import a reference to the media, but you do not want to store the media on the local storage.
12. Optional: Select a queueing option from the Add To Queue box.

    
    

    If you are soft-importing the clips, you can generate proxies in the background. This gives you the ability to assemble the timeline while proxy generation is taking place. See Importing and Soft-Importing in the Background.

13. Click Load.

    After you have imported the OpenEXR image, you can view it in its native resolution and bit depth.

14. To perform any image processing or compositing, you will need to convert it using the LUT Editor. See Colour Management.