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We have set up a number of scenes with different variables to try and teach ourselves about their various effects.
One of our explorations is the use of HDRI image-based rendering.
For some reason, we are not able to see the image when we render in Maxwell (same HDRI image used on Background, Reflection, Refraction and Illumination channels) even though we can see it when we do our preview rendering in FIRE. We are sending a screen capture by email.
Is there a common bug here that we should know about? We have seemingly checked all of the various possible settings, but maybe there are some that we missed?
Are there settings different for FIRE than for a regular render (or render preview)?

Thanks,
dsr

I'd guess that you have enabled Alpha in Output > Render Channels. If so, to find out why this is the result, please see here. Otherwise, I'll probably need to get a copy of the 3DM.

I thought that was the issue, too. When we disabled the alpha output we see the background for this particular scene

When we ran a render a few days ago (2/28) on another similar scene with the alpha channel enabled, however, we actually could see the background.

I am sending you the .mxi and the two output files for review.

What are we not understanding here?

Thanks,
dsr

I don't see how that's possible; as far as I know, Maxwell never renders the background when Alpha channel is enabled. You see it in Fire, because Maxwell Fire does not support channels.

Did you see the .mxi posted to you? You can see there that the alpha channel is enabled and you can save it separately if you need to.
The .png that we sent had the alpha embedded. And, strangely, the HDRI was visible.
I agree with your theory that this should be impossible, but we would like to know how we managed to do it...at least once.

Thanks,
dsr

Yes, I see that, but I am not sure what it means. I tried a few things, like rendering with alpha disabled, stopping, overwriting the mxs with alpha enabled, and then resuming without reloading, and I'm not able to produce an MXI like that one.

Well, if it is something out of the ordinary and not explainable, then we can drop it. We certainly do not need this capability.
We are systematically exploring our options here for setting up basic rendering conditions. We will chalk this anomaly up to a bump in the road.
Given that our understanding of the theory is correct (i.e. if the alpha channel is enabled, the background should not render) we will move on

Thanks,
dsr