---
title: "Background"
canonical: "https://documentation.chaos.com/space/VRAYNUKE/110625151/Background"
format: markdown
---
The Background Render Element includes just the background as set in the scene, with the rest of the image rendered as black. 

 

## **Overview**

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UI Path: ||Toolbar|| > **V-Ray Menu icon > Render > VRayRenderElement > Type: Background**

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## **Properties**

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The Background render element has no controllable properties.

 

![image](media://3fbdf37f-c7ad-4a4e-81d8-cfa8f7ab9b9c)

 

## **Common Uses**

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The Background Render Element is primarily used for layering the [Beauty element](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYNUKE/pages/110626564) (or combined render elements) on top of the background image. The render's Alpha channel can be used to create a matte for such a composite. In the following example the atmosphere and depth of field have been turned off for the sake of clarity.

 

## **Notes**

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- When the background is behind a transparent or semi-transparent material such as glass or clear plastic, make sure the Alpha channel is enabled for the material for all render elements; otherwise, the background will not be visible in the render element. For example, when using [VRayMtl](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYNUKE/pages/110625405) for a glass material, set the **Affect channels** parameter for both Reflection and Refraction to **All channels** to cause the background to appear in the Background Render Element behind the glass.