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Display EXR Channel

Combines 1–4 individual EXR channels into an 8-bit sRGB or RGBA PNG, with optional alpha compositing over a background image.

Category: EXR

TL;DR

  • Each slot (R, G, B, A) accepts an EXRChannelArtifact and is optional — channels can come from different EXR files or different parts.
  • Missing RGB slots are zero-filled; connecting the A slot produces RGBA output with optional background compositing.
  • At least one RGB slot must be connected, and all connected channels must share the same pixel dimensions.
  • Same color management as Display EXR Part: basic tone mapping or ocio via a connected OCIOColorParamsArtifact.

Typical workflow position

Load EXR (channels) → [Display EXR Channel] → (image output)

Node preview

Inputs

Name Type Required Notes
channel_r EXRChannelArtifact No Channel mapped to the red plane.
channel_g EXRChannelArtifact No Channel mapped to the green plane.
channel_b EXRChannelArtifact No Channel mapped to the blue plane.
channel_a EXRChannelArtifact No Channel used as alpha. When connected, output is RGBA.
exposure float No Exposure in EV stops applied before tone mapping or the OCIO transform. Range −10 to +10, default 0.0.
color_params OCIOColorParamsArtifact No From OCIO Color Parameters. Required when color_mode is ocio.
background ImageArtifact \| ImageUrlArtifact \| str No Background image for A-over-B compositing. Ignored when no alpha channel is connected.

Outputs

Name Type Notes
image ImageUrlArtifact 8-bit sRGB or RGBA PNG for in-canvas display.
output_file str Path to the saved PNG file.

Parameters

Name Type Default Notes
color_mode basic \| ocio ocio if the OpenColorIO Library is installed, else basic basic uses local tone mapping; ocio uses the connected OCIOColorParamsArtifact.
tone_mapping filmic \| linear filmic Local tone mapping when color_mode is basic. filmic applies the Narkowicz 2015 curve; linear clamps to [0, 1]. Hidden in ocio mode.

Tips & pitfalls

  • Connect at least one RGB slot. The node fails with only an alpha channel connected.
  • Dimensions must match across all connected channels. Mixing channels from different resolutions fails — rescale upstream first.
  • Great for inspecting AOVs. Wire a single AOV channel (e.g. depth or normal.x) into channel_r to visualize it in grayscale-red, or assemble normal.x/y/z into RGB.
  • Background compositing needs alpha. The background input is silently ignored unless channel_a is connected.

See also

  • Load EXR — provides the channel inputs.
  • Display EXR Part — render a whole part with automatic channel selection instead.
  • Save EXR — write assembled channels back to EXR.