9.5.2

70 • CHAPTER 3
CONFIGURATION • 71
So, why should I suddenly worry about gamma values? This wasn’t the case with earlier versions of
CINEMA 4D (prior to 9.5)...
Well, that’s not really 100% true – earlier versions also saved images with gamma values, only the
values were automatically set to 2.2 for PCs and 1.8 for Macs.
What on earth is gamma anyway? The gamma value denes the degree to which the brightness
settings will be displayed. A bright pixel can be rendered darker, for example, depending on the
gamma value. Ever since CINEMA 4D was given the ability to work with 32-Bit images, which by
denition must have a gamma value of 1, discrepancies can occur. As soon as 32-Bit is used, CINEMA
4D will differentiate precisely between all gamma values that have been dened.
Basically, the following applies: When 32-Bit images are loaded (no matter if in the Picture Viewer,
BodyPaint 3D’s New Texture Viewer or as a texture in the material channel), they will be displayed /
processed with a gamma value of 2.2 for PCs and 1.8 for Macs (as long as one of CINEMA 4D’s many
gamma settings has not been set to a different value – see below).
You can nd the various editable gamma values here (applies to 32-Bit only):
 “Preferences” (“Common” tab): Monitor Gamma.
Standard values are 2.2 for PCs and 1.8 for Mac. This value is also used for
bitmap shaders using HDR gamma. These values, though, can be changed (see
below). When using other hardware for output, make any changes to gamma
values in that hardware’s respective settings.
 In an active bitmap shader, if you have loaded a texture bitmap into a material
channel (click on the material channel’s preview image or on the le path):
HDR Gamma.
This only applies to the effect it has in the corresponding material channel.
Since this value is saved within the scene le itself, both PC and Mac users will
get the same render results.
 In the “Render Settings...” (“Options” tab): “Render Gamma”.
This setting denes for which output device the image should be rendered, i.e.
if you want to render for a monitor or printer that uses a gamma of 1.1, this is
where this will be dened. Nevertheless, the image will be saved with a gamma
of 1.0. Don’t worry, the image will still look correct on your output device.
 In the Picture Viewer (“View / 32-bit Preview Options...”).
This gamma value applies only to the preview in the Picture Viewer and the
New Texture View in BodyPaint 3D, and has no inuence on images that are
output.
Did you understand any of what was just described? If not, there’s good news: you will practically
never have to change the preset gamma values. Only change them if you know exactly what you’re
doing!