by Siemen-Lens·VFX
Images © Siemen-Lens. Used for product review; image policy.
AutoAOV earns its place in the Blender extensions library for automating the multi-pass EXR and compositor node setup that Cycles multi-View-Layer scenes usually demand by hand.
AutoAOV handles the setup of AOV structures for exporting in Blender, aimed at VFX and compositing work. It automates multi-layer EXR render passes and constructs compositor node networks for Cycles renders spread across multiple View Layers. The add-on dynamically fetches color spaces, links denoising data automatically, and builds structured multi-pass rebuilding trees.
The interface provides collapsible tabs for each View Layer, so you can configure unique AOV setups independently. Global one-click templates apply Lightray Rebuilds and Material Rebuilds across all layers at once, and node tree generation wraps organized frameworks in custom-colored master frames. Denoising offers three modes, EXR output can be combined into one master file or split per View Layer, and OCIO color space overrides let you assign the linear color space of the final EXR. Cryptomatte layers are routed into the output automatically, and a utility exports the active camera's animation as an Alembic file.
AutoAOV is optimized for the Blender 5.0 Compositor API and runs on Blender 5.0 and newer. It's released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later.
AutoAOV is best for vFX and compositing artists building multi-layer EXR render passes and compositor node trees for Cycles across multiple View Layers.
AutoAOV is completely free to download and use.
AutoAOV runs on Blender 5.0 and newer, and it's optimized for the updated Blender 5.0 Compositor API. The add-on is built around Cycles render passes across multiple View Layers, and includes fail-safe logic that detects your active render engine and offers a single-click option to switch to Cycles when a different engine is set. Because the compatibility range starts at 5.0, older Blender releases fall outside the supported range, so plan to work in Blender 5.0 or later to use its compositor node generation and EXR export features.
AutoAOV lives in the Properties area under the Output tab, at the bottom of the panel stack. You can apply the Global Templates to configure your scene quickly, or expand individual View Layer tabs to customize passes and denoising settings by hand. From there, define your output path, choose whether you want a combined EXR for multi-layer setups, and click Generate AOV Structure. The add-on then enables the required scene passes and compiles the full compositor node tree automatically.
AutoAOV is listed as free here in the catalog and is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. The developer also accepts optional donations through PayPal to support continued work on the add-on, though these aren't required to use it. For the most current licensing terms and any details on redistribution or modification rights, check the developer's page directly, since license and distribution specifics are best confirmed at the source.
AutoAOV version 2.1.5, the Vector & Data Pass Update, adds smart pass detection that automatically identifies non-color data and vector passes, including Normal, Depth, Mist, Index, and custom math AOVs. Beyond this update, the release carries AutoAOV's full toolset for multi-layer EXR management, automated compositor node tree generation, OCIO color space overrides, and Cryptomatte routing for object and material layers. Its recorded update date for this version is May 20, 2026, so it reflects the latest published changes.
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