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Quick ToneMapper 1.0 fix

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PixelGym ·aescripts + aeplugins
3.0

Quick ToneMapper is an After Effects plugin by PixelGym that applies tone mapping directly to CG renders in post-production, letting artists recover overblown highlights and shape contrast without baking decisions in at render time. It offers three tone mapping methods (Reinhard, Filmic, ACES) alongside exposure and white balance controls, built around a proper unclamped, linear render workflow.

Features

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Quick ToneMapper 1.0 fix Overview

Quick ToneMapper is an After Effects plugin distributed by aescripts, built to let CG artists apply tone mapping curves to their renders directly in post-production rather than baking those decisions in at render time. Available for both macOS and Windows within Adobe After Effects, Quick ToneMapper was released January 26, 2022 and remains at version 1.0, its initial release, distributed through the official aescripts.com store. The plugin is a lightweight download (around 8 MB), reflecting its focused, single-purpose design. What makes Quick ToneMapper genuinely useful for CG and VFX workflows is the flexibility it restores to the tone-mapping decision by keeping it entirely in post-production. Rather than committing to a single tonal look when a render is generated, artists can save their CG output as a 32-bit or 16-bit float, unclamped EXR file, then use Quick ToneMapper to apply and experiment with three distinct tone mapping methods — Reinhard, Filmic, and ACES — adjusting the strength of each curve independently. Because unclamped data preserves information from overexposed highlights that would otherwise be lost, this workflow gives significantly more flexibility over a render's final look, and the plugin further extends that control with basic virtual-camera-style adjustments including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance (by color or Kelvin temperature).

Key Features

Three Tone Mapping Methods Offers Reinhard, Filmic, and ACES tone mapping curves, each selectable and adjustable independently to reshape how a render's highlights and overall tonal range are compressed. Adjustable Curve Strength Provides a dedicated "strength" slider for fine-tuning the intensity of whichever tone mapping curve is applied, rather than an all-or-nothing effect. Exposure Controls Includes aperture, shutter speed, and ISO adjustments modeled after real camera exposure controls, letting artists further tweak a render's look after the fact. White Balance Adjustment Adjusts the white balance of a render either by picking a specific color or by entering a Kelvin temperature value, offering two different ways to correct or stylize color temperature. Works with Unclamped 32-bit/16-bit Float EXRs Designed to work with CG renders saved as 32-bit or 16-bit float unclamped EXR files, preserving overexposed highlight information rather than losing it to clamping. Compatible with Lower Bit Depths While optimized for 32-bit unclamped renders, Quick ToneMapper also works with lower bit-depth footage, though some original highlight information may already be lost to clamping in those cases. Linear Workspace Toggle Works internally in linear space by default, but includes a per-plugin toggle to turn linearization on or off independently of a project's own Linearize Working Space setting, helping artists avoid accidental double-linearization.

Extensions Details

Release Date2022-01-26
File Size149.5 KB
Version 1.0
DeveloperPixelGym
Publisheraescripts + aeplugins
LanguagesEnglish
LicenseFree

System Requirements

Minimum
OSmacOS
ProcessorIntel or Apple Silicon Mac
Storage8 MB
GPUN/A
Recommended
OSmacOS
ProcessorIntel or Apple Silicon Mac
Storage8 MB
GPUIntegrated

How to Use Quick ToneMapper 1.0 fix

In your 3D application, render your CG output as a 32-bit or 16-bit float, unclamped EXR file to preserve the most highlight information. Import the render into After Effects and set your project's Bit Depth to 32 bits per channel. Apply Quick ToneMapper to the layer, and check your Linearize Working Space setting — if it's on, disable linearization within the plugin itself to avoid double-linearizing the image. Select a tone mapping method — Reinhard, Filmic, or ACES — and adjust the strength slider to taste. Fine-tune the look further using the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance controls. Revisit and adjust your tone mapping settings at any time, since nothing is permanently baked into the original render.

Frequently Asked Questions