APZmedia-Comfyui-LightDirection-estimation/docs/Masked-IRE-Visualization.md

Masked IRE False Color Visualization

Overview

The IRE false color visualization now includes masking to show only the areas being analyzed, similar to other preview outputs like debug_mask and lit_normals_viz.

What Changed

Before

• false_color_ire showed IRE false color for the entire image
• Areas not being analyzed still showed IRE colors
• Could be confusing as it included background/unlit areas

After

• false_color_ire shows IRE false color only in analyzed areas
• Uses the same mask as debug_mask and lit_normals_viz
• Consistent with other preview outputs
• More accurate representation of actual analysis

Technical Implementation

# Get raw IRE false color visualization
false_color_ire_raw = ire_results['false_color_visualization']

# Apply the same mask used for normal map analysis
false_color_ire = false_color_ire_raw * mask.unsqueeze(-1).float()

Visual Result

Masked IRE Visualization

• White areas: IRE false color analysis (same as debug_mask)
• Black areas: Masked out (not analyzed)
• Color coding: IRE values only in analyzed regions

IRE Color Zones (in analyzed areas only)

IRE Range	Color	Description
0-10 IRE	Purple/Blue	Deep shadows
10-20 IRE	Blue	Shadows
20-30 IRE	Cyan	Mid-shadows
30-50 IRE	Green	Low-midtones
50-70 IRE	Yellow	Midtones
70-90 IRE	Orange	High-midtones
90-100 IRE	Red	Bright highlights

Benefits

1. Consistency

• Matches other preview outputs (debug_mask, lit_normals_viz)
• Only shows analysis in relevant areas
• Eliminates confusion from background areas

2. Accuracy

• IRE analysis only applies to lit/analyzed areas
• False color represents actual analysis scope
• More meaningful for debugging and validation

3. Professional Workflow

• Aligns with broadcast/video industry standards
• IRE analysis focused on subject areas
• Cleaner visual feedback

Usage

The masked IRE visualization is automatically applied when using:

• analysis_method="combined" (default)
• analysis_method="ire_only"

The masking uses the same logic as:

• debug_mask: Shows which pixels are analyzed
• lit_normals_viz: Shows normal analysis areas
• luma_mask: Shows luminance analysis areas

Comparison

Unmasked (Previous)

[Entire Image IRE Colors]
- Background: IRE colors (misleading)
- Subject: IRE colors (accurate)
- Shadows: IRE colors (accurate)

Masked (Current)

[Only Analyzed Areas IRE Colors]
- Background: Black (masked out)
- Subject: IRE colors (accurate)
- Shadows: IRE colors (accurate)

This change makes the IRE false color visualization more accurate and consistent with the overall analysis workflow.