I use Layer Comps to set my layer passes. For example, I may create layer comps for the foreground, character, midground, and background passes. If I want to get fancy, I may create custom matte passes to create effects or special shadow tricks in comp.
To render, I always use Moho Exporter. There's a button in there called something like Split By Layer Comps, that breaks out my render passes with a single click.
Tips:
- Create a Master layer comp with all the layers visible. You won't render this layer comp but you'll want it to reset your scene to work in it.
- Before clicking the Split By Layer Comps button, double-click the project and set your render settings. Then, when you click Split, each project will inherit those settings.
- Bonus tip: Be sure to enable Overwrite Existing Files. Leaving this option disabled can be a nightmare for compositing artists.
- Each Layer Comp gets saved to its own subfolder automatically. Yay!
- Before rendering, delete any layer comps from Moho Exporter you don't need to render. I usually delete the Master layer comp.
- To avoid setting this up every time you want to render, save a Profile in Moho Exporter. This will load all the Split projects the way you set them up. (You'll probably want to redo the Profile if you add/remove layer comps in the Layer Comps window.)
There are more tips I could add, but I'll have to look at the windows to remember them. I have to work now so maybe tonight.
I should create a tutorial about Layer Comps and Moho Exporter because together, these are incredibly useful to compositors. I hope LM revisits these windows soon because there are a few improvements I'd like to see to make them even more productive.
