How to configure gamma for rendering in Corona for 3ds Max?

When using 3ds Max 2024 or newer, generally there is no need to change any default gamma / color management settings.

 

If you are getting errors or your renders do not look as expected, you can go to Rendering > Color Management... and choose between the two color management modes:

• Gamma Workflow 
  When using this color management mode, you only need to make sure that the "Display Gamma" value is set to 2.2. Using any other value results in incorrect rendering. 
  The Gamma Workflow mode is simple and reliable so it's a go-to choice unless you specifically need to use the OCIO mode.
  
  
• OCIO
  When using this color management mode, all settings are automatically handled by 3ds Max and Corona. You should use this mode if you are operating in the standardized OCIO environment. 
  
  For more information, see 3ds Max documentation:
  • OCIO-based Color Management
  • Color Management Settings

 

The below part only applies to 3ds Max 2023 and older: 

If you are using 3ds max 2014-2023, usually there is no need to alter any default gamma settings in Corona or 3ds Max as they are handled automatically. Make sure that in Rendering > Gamma/LUT Setup... the "Enable Gamma/LUT Correction" is enabled and Gamma is set to 2.2. In older versions of 3ds Max, altering the default settings may be necessary (see below). 

 

1. Gamma and LUT settings in 3ds Max preferences

Correct gamma settings in 3ds Max 2014 or newer:

 

2. When saving rendered images

In 3ds Max 2014 or newer it is not required to alter any settings when saving any types of rendered images. 

 

3. When loading bitmap textures

When loading ordinary bitmaps (for example into "diffuse" slot), you should always use "Automatic" gamma setting. When loading bump, displacement, or normal maps, it is correct to use gamma override of 1.0. You may also want to use gamma 1.0 for other grayscale textures, such as refraction level, reflectivity, opacity, etc., but this can be dependent on the kind of result you are seeking.

See also: How to use normal maps?

 

Below are two scripts which will force ALL 3ds Max Bitmaps or CoronaBitmaps to use automatic (or other, specified) gamma setting.

NOTE: This will alter all the textures in scene. Setting the gamma to "automatic", will also affect bump, displacement and gamma textures, which should be left at gamma 1.0. Setting the gamma to other than automatic, will also affect diffuse, and other textures, which should generally have gamma set to "automatic".

 

For native 3ds Max Bitmap node:

for tmap in (getClassInstances BitmapTexture) do
tmap.bitmap = openBitmap tmap.bitmap.filename gamma:#auto

 

For CoronaBitmap:

for tmap in (getClassInstances CoronaBitmap) do
tmap.gamma = -1.0

 

4. Changing input and output gamma in 3ds Max 2014 and newer

Input and output gamma settings have been removed since 3ds Max 2014. This may sometimes cause problems as these settings may be altered in files saved in older versions of 3ds Max. To repair such scenes, please refer to this Audotesk article: Gamma Correction changes in 3ds Max

The .ini file should contain following lines:

[Gamma]

DisplayGamma=2.200000

Enable=1

DisplayCorrectionMode=1

CorrectColorPickerState=1

CorrectMtlEditorState=1

InputGamma=2.200000

OutputGamma=2.200000

LUTFileName=

DisplayCorrectionPrefMode=1


You can also use this script to alter input and output gamma in 3ds Max: [ link ]