Tool to get to Postwork?

[5paceCat]

I'm looking for a tool to render different maps (such as ambient occlusion and depth of field) so I can start my postwork in Photoshop.

[fforcer]

What software are you using? DS or Poser?
If you're using DS then check in the render settings/advance/canvases .
If you have poser then Advanced render settings is absolutely essential.

Code:

http://dazposer.net/runtimedna/6022-advanced-render-settings-2.html

[De4lt]

I'm looking for a tool to render different maps (such as ambient occlusion and depth of field) so I can start my postwork in Photoshop.

3Delight or Iray? Daz Studio has native "canvas" rendering features in v4.8 upwards for the Iray render engine.

[5paceCat]

DAS Studio 4.9, and usuallly Iray because it seems to give better results. I'm fairly new to the software, so I'm still learning all the features.

Not sure what Poser even is, haha.

[De4lt]

DAS Studio 4.9, and usuallly Iray because it seems to give better results. I'm fairly new to the software, so I'm still learning all the features.

Not sure what Poser even is, haha.

The Canvas feature is still something that a lot of people shy away from (if they can even find it!) because it can look quite complicated at first. Once you've gone through it a few times, though, it gets easier. I'm not sure about ambient occlusion but it certainly can render individual lights or sets of lights (whatever you designate), the environment lighting, depth of field and such as separate renders (canvases) that you can then manipulate in Photoshop. It renders them all simultaneously so you don't have to wait for one render to finish and then the next. It's all done together. 

The tutorial can be found here for relighting with canvases: [Tutorial] Relighting with Iray Canvases

There is one here for Shadow/reflection capturing with canvases: Iray Canvas Tutorial

As for Depth of Field, you would add a Depth or Distance canvas to the list and render as usual. When it comes to post work you would converge your lights first, and then convert the image to 16-bit. Then load the DOF canvas separately, convert THAT to 16-bit, select the "merge" option when that pops up, and then use the "Equalize Histagram" option in the new box. This gives a DOF image. You copy that and paste it over your main image as a new layer. Go to "Channels" in Photoshop, add an Alpha channel, paste the DOF image into the Alpha channel, then return to your layers and hide the DOF layer. Then use the Lens Blur filter and select the Alpha channel as the Depth map "Source". Click wherever you want your focus and DOF will calculate from there. 

If you want more "in depth" directions, I'll give it a go but I'm not big on writing "tutorials".