A Guide to Multi-Camera Rendering and Arnold AOVs in 3ds Max

Rendering the same model from multiple camera angles in an interior or architectural visualization scene can extend delivery and revision workflows. MAXScript examples in Autodesk’s 3ds Max help documentation let you add cameras to the Batch Render list in one go; Arnold AOVs can also be organized in EXR outputs for compositing. The camera steps in this guide are based on 3ds Max 2023 help content, the viewport notes on 3ds Max 2024 documentation, and the OpenPBR information on the version compatibility specified in 3ds Max 2026 help.

1. Add all cameras to Batch Render

First, check that the scene file contains the camera views you want to render. The example that adds all cameras loops through the scene cameras and creates a Batch Render entry for each one. According to Autodesk’s warning, this includes default viewport cameras. Teams that need only custom camera angles should therefore use the second method.

1. Open Scripting > Max Script Editor.

2. Paste the code below into Max Script Editor.

3. In the editor window, run Tools > Evaluate All.

4. Open Rendering > Batch Render... and check the listed cameras. Click Render to start rendering.

for c in cameras do batchRenderMgr.CreateView c

This method offers a simple starting point for visualization teams that want to batch-render different framings—such as plans, perspectives, and detail views—from the same scene. Keep in mind that default viewport cameras may also appear in the list, and check it before rendering.

2. Add only selected cameras to the list

To render only specific camera angles, first select the desired cameras in the scene graph. Autodesk’s second MAXScript example checks selected objects that are of the camera class; if a view with the same name is already in the list, it reports this in the editor output rather than adding it again.

1. Select the cameras you want to use in the scene graph.

2. Paste the code below into the Scripting > Max Script Editor window.

3. Run Tools > Evaluate All.

4. Close and reopen the Batch Render window, then review the camera list.

for c in cameras where c.isselected and (superclassof c == camera) do
(
    local cname = c.name
    if (batchRenderMgr.FindView cname) == 0 then
    (
        v = batchRenderMgr.CreateView c
        v.name = cname
    )
    else
    (
        format "View with camera name already present: %\n" cname
    )
)

Reopening the window is a small but important step: Autodesk notes that if the Batch Render window remains open while the command runs, the list may not refresh, making it appear as if the evaluation had no effect. Closing it before running the code, then reopening it to verify the result, is a reliable sequence.

3. Organize Arnold AOV and EXR output

Arnold AOVs let you send different components of a rendered image to compositing as separate outputs or as layers embedded in an EXR. Autodesk’s documentation specifies 16- and 32-bit EXR files; the example workflow, however, describes using a 16-bit, half-floating-point EXR. Deep EXR, EXR, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF are also listed as Arnold AOV output formats.

1. Create the required AOVs in Arnold’s AOV Manager. Autodesk directs users to the 3ds Max to Arnold User Guide for AOV setup details.

2. If you’re using an older Scanline scene with Arnold, go to the output settings using the Files button in the Rendering > Render Setup > Common tab. Remove any legacy Render Elements or G-Buffer Channel items from the EXR configuration. The documentation warns that legacy items can overwrite Arnold AOV layers.

3. When generating AOV files from multiple cameras, use the token function in AOV Manager to add the camera name or another attribute to the output path. This reduces the risk of different camera outputs being directed to the same filename and overwriting one another.

4. If you’re using AOV files in After Effects, set the project to 16-bit and Linear Workspace. After loading the EXR image, the File > Create ProEXR Layer Comps command opens its embedded layers as separate composition items. For Photoshop, you can use the ProEXR or EXR-IO plugin.

Autodesk notes that AOV files can be saved to the default 3ds Max project location and recommends configuring project settings so they’re automatically written to the desired destination. In multi-camera projects, deciding on a file-naming scheme before rendering makes it easier to identify which frame each AOV belongs to later.

4. What to consider in architectural visualization workflows

This method is useful for architecture and interior design offices preparing multiple presentation angles of the same model, as well as visualization artists who work with image layers after rendering. Batch Render organizes repeated camera renders; the AOV and EXR workflow lets you handle shadows, reflections, and other image components separately during compositing. These workflows don’t guarantee render quality or speed; the documentation doesn’t specify any particular performance gains or hardware requirements.

Viewport options in the 3ds Max 2024 documentation can also help with pre-render scene checks. When you’re using multiple viewports, the active viewport is marked with a highlighted border; Alt+W maximizes the active viewport and switches back to the multi-viewport layout. Right-clicking can activate a viewport without changing the selected object. These controls help you inspect the camera framing and scene; they don’t replace Batch Render settings.

Version compatibility matters when working with materials. According to Autodesk, OpenPBR Material is available in 3ds Max 2025.3 and later; earlier versions have OpenPBR Surface. Also, you need to render at least once for the additional Arnold Parameters fields in OpenPBR Material to appear. Teams working across different versions should therefore verify the material name and 3ds Max version when handing off a scene.

Common mistakes

• Running the code while leaving the Batch Render window open: the window may not refresh; close and reopen it.

• Using the all-camera example when you only want custom cameras: default viewport cameras may also be added to the list.

• Rendering Arnold AOVs without clearing legacy Scanline Render Elements: AOV layers in the EXR may be affected.

• Omitting the camera name from the output path for multi-camera renders: AOV files may overwrite one another.

• Looking for OpenPBR features without checking the version: the material is available in 3ds Max 2025.3 and later.

The documentation doesn’t specify hardware requirements or provide a licensing cost breakdown. Although plugin information is available for ProEXR and EXR-IO, offices should verify the version and licensing conditions for their own installations.