--- title: Rendering is Darker or Lighter than the Real-time View description: Possible reasons for why the render result might be different from the preview. --- [Skip to content](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/rendering-is-darker-or-lighter-than-the-real-time-view#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![KeyShot](https://support.keyshot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/keyshot-logo-blk-3d.png?height=40&name=keyshot-logo-blk-3d.png) - [Support Home Page](https://www.keyshot.com/support/) - [Sign Out](https://support.keyshot.com/_hcms/mem/logout) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Support Home Page](https://www.keyshot.com/support/) - [Sign Out](https://support.keyshot.com/_hcms/mem/logout) - English Show submenu for translations - [My Inbox](https://support.keyshot.com/tickets-view) [My Inbox](https://support.keyshot.com/tickets-view?hsLang=en) Tell us what's happening - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Support Knowledge Base](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base?hsLang=en) 2. [Technical Support](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en) 3. [KeyShot Studio](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyshot-studio) # Rendering is Darker or Lighter than the Real-time View ## Possible reasons for why the render result might be different from the preview. #### ![](https://support.keyshot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/comparison-png.png?width=688&height=516&name=comparison-png.png) ### HDR formats A possible reason for why the render result is darker or lighter is when the render output is saved as an EXR file. EXR files store linear color data without gamma correction. This means they preserve high dynamic range (HDR) information but can look darker when viewed in applications that expect gamma-adjusted images. Other formats like PNG files and the Real-time View apply sRGB gamma correction (typically 2.2 gamma), making them look brighter and more like what you'd expect on a standard display. In order to make the EXR more consistent, please apply a Apply a gamma correction (usually 2.2) when converting or displaying the image. ### Custom Controls and Render Engine ![](https://support.keyshot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-18-2025-02-39-25-5490-PM.png?width=688&height=282&name=image-png-Jun-18-2025-02-39-25-5490-PM.png)When using Custom Controls, a different algorithm and lighting settings are being used which results in a different render result. Specifying a different Render Engine than the one used in the Real-time View might also have slight differences since there currently is no complete parity between CPU and GPU materials. ### Performance Mode If the Performance Mode is enabled, it only affects the Real-time View, but not the rendering output. ![](https://support.keyshot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-18-2025-02-43-03-1722-PM.png?width=149&height=111&name=image-png-Jun-18-2025-02-43-03-1722-PM.png) - [Technical Support](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#main-content) - [KeyShot Studio](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyshot-studio) - [Network Rendering](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#network-rendering) - [KeyVR](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyvr) - [Plugins](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#plugins) - [How-To](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#how-to) - [KeyShot Hub](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyshot-hub) - [KeyShot Web](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyshot-web) - [License Support](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/license-support?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Node-Lock](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/license-support?hsLang=en#node-lock) - [Floating](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/license-support?hsLang=en#floating) - [Subscription](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/license-support?hsLang=en#subscription) - [FAQs](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#main-content) - [General FAQs](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#general-faqs) - [Key VR](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#key-vr) - [KeyShot Studio FAQ's](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#keyshot-studio-faqs) - [KeyShot Web FAQ's](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#keyshot-web-faqs) - [KeyShot Network Rendering FAQ's](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#keyshot-network-rendering-faqs) - [KeyShot WebViewer](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#keyshot-webviewer) - [Announcements](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/announcements?hsLang=en) - [Learning Content](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/learning-content?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Webinars](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/learning-content?hsLang=en#webinars) - [Quick Tips](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/learning-content?hsLang=en#quick-tips) - [Downloads](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/downloads?hsLang=en) - [Best Practices](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/best-practices?hsLang=en) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://support.keyshot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/keyshot-logo-blk-3d.png?width=63&height=24&name=keyshot-logo-blk-3d.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.keyshot.com/) keyshot.com Help Center Copyright © 2026, KeyShot