With the render layers feature, you can isolate specific objects in a scene on layers, then export these layers locally as render layers alongside the final rendered image, also known as the "beauty pass". By default, render layers are exported as black-and-white layer masks, but you can also export them as standard render layers that contain an alpha channel. You can then use your exported render layers in an external image or video post-production and compositing software to fine-tune specific areas in large and complex scenes.
Working With Render Layers
To create render layers in Twinmotion, select the objects or object parts you want to isolate and assign layer IDs to them. You can assign layer IDs to a single object or to a group of objects. Each layer ID represents one render layer, and you can create up to five render layers at a time.
A render layer for the sky is always automatically created and is assigned to a layer ID named Sky.
When you export your media, you select the render layers you want to export and the type of render layers you want to export. Once exported, the render layers are grouped in a separate subfolder inside the root of the folder where you saved the media. If you export more than one media at a time, the render layers for each media are exported in separate subfolders.
When you assign layer IDs to objects in a scene, the layer IDs are assigned globally. A render layer for each layer ID is automatically created for any media you create and export using the same scene.
Assigning Layer IDs
To assign layer IDs to objects, follow these steps:
Open the Properties panel by clicking Properties in the Footer.
In the Viewport or the Scenegraph, select the objects or object parts you want to assign to a render layer.
If you want to include a group of objects in a render layer, instead of selecting each object individually you can group them in a container in the Scene graph then assign a layer ID to the container. All the content inside the container and subcontainers will automatically be assigned to the layer ID.
In the Properties panel, click Layer ID to expand the section and select the Enable check box.
Select one of the layer IDs.
By default, layer ID number 1 (one) is selected and is automatically assigned to the selected objects, but you can select another layer ID.
Repeat from steps 2 through 4 for each render layer you want to create.
Exporting Render Layers
Render layers are exported locally at the same time you export the media. Render layers for images can be exported in the PNG or EXR file format. Render layers for videos and sequences must be exported as image sequences in the PNG or EXR file format.
To export your render layers locally, follow these steps:
Open the Export panel by clicking Export in the Footer.
Select the media you want to export.
In the Export panel, under Render layers, select the render layers you want to export. A blue check mark on the render layer button indicates the render layer is selected.
By default render layers are exported as black-and-white layer masks. To export them as standard render layers that contain an alpha channel, deselect the Export as masks checkbox.
Click the Start export button.
For more detailed instructions on how to export media locally, see Exporting Media Locally.
Limitations
Render layers are only available when exporting images and when exporting videos as a sequence of
.pngor.exrimages.Each exported render layer increases the rendering time, especially in Path tracer rendering mode.
In Real time rendering mode (Standard and Lumen), objects must be on the same render layer when exported to benefit from the reflections and global illumination of surrounding objects.
The JPG file format is not suitable for exporting render layers as the alpha channel cannot be included. If you do need to export in the JPG file format, we recommend using the black-and-white mask (Export as masks) option.
The render layers feature currently has the following additional limitations:
Transparent objects do not behave correctly as holdouts.
The Sky layer is not completely opaque.
Fog and weather effects always act as holdouts and cannot be exported as specific layers.