Object types and render layers

To achieve specific compositing effects, objects can be rendered differently within our compositing pipeline.

Objects can be converted between object types/render layers by

• right-clicking them in the 3D view or the World Outliner and selecting the new type

  

  
  

• using the Render Layer dropdown in the object’s Details panel

  

Render layers

Background

• The object is rendered behind the video even if the object is in front of a Compositing Plane

• To improve performance, for example when using Nanite meshes, use this render layer on objects which are always behind the video

Foreground (default)

• This is the default for all objects

• The object is rendered in front of the video

Translucent

• It renders objects with translucency and possible refraction in front of the video without anti-aliasing the video

Opaque Holdout

• A holdout object prevents any AR object from occluding the video backplate in the region where it is placed

• This makes it appear that AR objects pass behind that section of the video backplate

• The object itself is not rendered

Translucent Holdout

• Same as Opaque Holdout, but controls the translucency using a gradient based material

• This can be used to provide a feathered edge to a holdout object to soften the blending

• The default material gives a box feather pattern

AR Shadow, Reflection & Light Catcher

• It renders shadows and reflections that are cast onto this object

• Can be illuminated by scene lights

• The object itself is not rendered

• These are typically floors or walls where you want to catch shadows and reflections to be composited on top of the video

AR Ambient Occlusion Excluder

• In the area the volume covers, ambient occlusion will not be rendered

• This can be used on intersecting shadow-catcher planes

AR Shadow Excluder

• In the area the volume covers, no shadows are rendered