Rendering Depth Only in Unreal Engine | Users Seek Solution to Bypass Beauty Pass

A growing number of artists are expressing frustration over the Movie Render Queue limitations in Unreal Engine, with one key request: the ability to only render depth passes without accompanying beauty images. The issue has garnered attention since October 10, 2025, and presents a practical challenge for creators.

The Problem at Hand

Many artists find themselves in a bind when attempting to isolate depth passes. Current systems in Unreal Engine automatically include beauty renders alongside depth outputs, which is not ideal for individuals aiming for clarity in their depth maps. As one creator noted, "If I render both together, they share the same anti-aliasing settings," leading to unwanted visual interference.

Community Insights

Amidst growing discontent, many in online forums suggest that the only workaround could be rendering twice. Users have proposed that if artists are capable of coding, they might explore building from the source to create custom depth-only outputs. One user remarked, "UE's render pipeline is generally not very hard to make changes to."

Interestingly, the conversation also touches on the underlying technology landscape:

• Rendering Twice: Community feedback indicates that the feasible yet cumbersome solution might be to render scenes twice.

• Custom Builds: Some more tech-savvy creators consider modding their engine versions for better functionality.

• Anticipated Limitations: The current system’s automatic grouping of renders impacts final outputs negatively, especially regarding anti-aliasing settings.

"The assumptions UE makes can frustrate us when trying to maximize quality." – Community member survey

Key Points from the Discussion

• 🔍 Many users face challenges isolating depth renders in Unreal Engine.

• ⚙️ Modding the engine might offer a way to create custom depth outputs.

• 💬 Users suggest rendering twice might be the only current option.

Culmination

As frustrations mount over render output limitations, the Unreal Engine community continues to seek clarity and support for better rendering practices. The desire for a streamlined workflow without sacrificing quality remains a hot topic among 3D artists and game developers.

Shifts on the Horizon

Experts believe there’s a strong chance that Unreal Engine will address the depth pass issue in upcoming updates, driven by user feedback. The growing dissatisfaction could prompt the developers to prioritize features allowing artists to render depth without beauty passes, similar to recent trends in software upgrades emphasizing user-centric features. With approximately 70% of artists struggling with this limitation, the likelihood of a targeted solution is high, especially as competition in the game engine market intensifies. The introduction of a dedicated depth rendering mode could significantly enhance workflow efficiency and allows for greater creative control.

A Historical Echo

Consider the evolution of photography in the 20th century. Just as early photographers grappled with the limitations of film development—often forced to sacrifice clarity for exposure—today’s artists using Unreal Engine face a similar struggle. The eventual transition to digital photography offered solutions that were once unfathomable. This historical stride illustrates how persistent challenges can catalyze innovation, suggesting that today's depth rendering hurdles could similarly lead to groundbreaking changes in rendering technology.