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I render multiple frames in blender, and if not the frames also, I at least want to save the depth maps, as an image. As can be seen in the screenshot I have attached, I have added a 'File Output' node that specifies that path to save the depth images. But during rendering, only the frames get saved. In the output properties, I set the output path for the frames to be saved.

What is it that I am doing wrong here?

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ The path to save should be the path on the file node. The file node works independently from the output set in the properties editor settings $\endgroup$
    – no-can-do
    Jul 11, 2020 at 7:16
  • $\begingroup$ Ok, I understand. Out of curiosity though, I havent explicitly mentioned a 'file output' node for the frames, but blender seems to understand that the frames have to be saved at the path mentioned in 'output properties'. How is this possible? $\endgroup$
    – VjayalakshmiK
    Jul 11, 2020 at 9:50
  • $\begingroup$ The two outputs work independently. If you press render animation, blender will render and save to the path specified in the output properties and also in the path specified by the file node. In this case there is no "composite" node so you should be getting an empty frame in the path specified in the output settings in the properties window. $\endgroup$
    – no-can-do
    Jul 11, 2020 at 9:55
  • $\begingroup$ No I dont. As mentioned earlier, the frames are properly saved in the path specified in output props. It is the depth maps folder that remains empty. $\endgroup$
    – VjayalakshmiK
    Jul 11, 2020 at 10:00
  • $\begingroup$ Did you specify a file name (not just a path) for the output node? $\endgroup$
    – no-can-do
    Jul 11, 2020 at 10:02

1 Answer 1

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If you just render pass. It should work as you described.
Possible reasons why it doesn't:

  • you don't have enabled Output Properties > Postprocessing > Pipeline > Compositor
  • or you don't have mark checkbox on top row of Compositor Editor > Use Nodes
  • or if you rendered only single image - these are not saved automatically (without add-on)

According to your screen, should be rendered only Depth pass.
To render and save final render (Composite node if enabled) and Depth pass (File Output node) at the same time on Render Animation action - node tree should look like this (for example):

enter image description here

Note: Composite node can be also replaced File Output node. Benefit is not only separate output file, but you can also specify different file format or directory.

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  • $\begingroup$ In your answer " To save and render both at the same time", do you mean save and render depth image or frames? I need to only save the depth maps, or both of them if it isnt too much work. Also, in the image above, I see that the 'composite' block you've added is connected to 'Image', and not depth. So how will that help save depth images? Finally, in the 'View layer properties -> passes -> data", I have checked only Z, not both Z and combined. Is that alright? $\endgroup$
    – VjayalakshmiK
    Jul 11, 2020 at 9:52
  • $\begingroup$ Worked!! thks a lot.... $\endgroup$
    – VjayalakshmiK
    Jul 11, 2020 at 10:11
  • $\begingroup$ I edited a bit the text formulation, so now I'm not sure if you have any questions ... and what worked for you :) but great you solved it :) $\endgroup$
    – vklidu
    Jul 11, 2020 at 11:31

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