---
title: "Diffuse Channel"
canonical: "https://documentation.chaos.com/space/VRAYHOUDINI/113279772/Diffuse%20Channel"
format: markdown
---
This page describes the Diffuse Render Element and how it is used to have more control of a final composited image.


## **Overview**

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## **Attributes**

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## **Common Uses**

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The Diffuse Render Element is useful for changing the appearance of many passes when it is combined with Raw render passes (like [Raw GI](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280983),  [Raw Light](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280980), etc.).

In the example, the Diffuse is blended with the [Raw Global Illumination](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280983) Render Element in Multiply mode to provide the [Global Illumination](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280985) pass. In this way, color correction can be performed upon the raw pass without the actual diffuse colors being changed, making it possible to tint a pass in a realistic way without re-rendering.

Diffuse x [Raw GI](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280983) = [GI](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280985)

Diffuse x [Raw Lighting](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280980) = [Direct Light](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280982)

Diffuse x [Raw Shadow](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280719) = [Shadow](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113279769)

![image](media://fd827a2f-2fd5-4378-bbef-553b9484434a)


The Diffuse is a very useful render element due to the number of raw passes with which it can be combined, giving the ability to manipulate many areas of the render at the composite level. The Diffuse pass can also be color-corrected on its own, as shown in the example. In this case, a [Multi Matte](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113279798) Render Element is used to isolate the cloth on the sofa. The  Diffuse Render Element is used to change the cloth's color from yellow to blue. This method avoids tinting the lighting or shadowing of the scene.