Lighting & rendering · Intermediate

View transform

The curve that turns raw render light into colors a screen can show, like AgX or Filmic

What is a view transform?

A view transform is the curve that turns the raw light values of a render into colors a screen can show. Real light covers a far wider range than a monitor, so the transform squeezes it to keep detail in bright and dark areas. In Blender, AgX is the default, with Filmic and Standard as options.

Think of it like this

It is like fitting a wide panorama onto a postcard: you decide how to squeeze it so both the bright sky and the dark shadows still show.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Render: Lighting the scene and turning it into images or video.

How a view transform works

  1. 01The render engine calculates light as values that can go far past pure white.
  2. 02The view transform maps those values onto the range a display can show.
  3. 03Standard clips anything too bright to flat white; AgX and Filmic roll highlights off gently.
  4. 04A Look setting can then add or reduce contrast on top of the chosen transform.

Where a view transform is used

  • Keeping bright skies and lamps from clipping to flat white
  • Getting a natural, film-like falloff in lit scenes
  • Showing flat colors exactly, such as graphics, with Standard

Beginner tip

Pick the view transform before you light, then leave it alone. Switching from Standard to AgX after lighting changes every brightness and color, and you end up relighting the scene.

Terms related to a view transform

View transform FAQ

AgX vs Filmic: which should I use?
Use AgX for most new work. It is Blender’s default and handles very bright, saturated colors more gracefully, where Filmic can shift strong colors toward odd hues. Filmic remains available for older files and looks you already rely on.
Standard vs AgX: what is the difference?
Standard shows colors exactly as set, with no curve, so bright light clips to white. AgX compresses highlights so they fade smoothly. Use Standard for flat graphics or exact color matches, and AgX for lit 3D scenes.
Why do my Blender renders look washed out?
AgX and Filmic lower contrast and saturation on purpose to keep highlight detail, which can read as gray. Choose a higher-contrast option in the Look menu, or grade the render afterward.
Where is color management in Blender?
In the render properties tab, near the bottom, under Color Management. It holds the display device, view transform, look, exposure and gamma. These settings shape both the viewport and the final render.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms