does the resolution of an HDRI image affect the quality of a render or just the reflections?

StratDragon

does the resolution of an HDRI image affect the quality of a render or just the reflections?

 

there are no dumb questions, just dumb people

- Stratdragon

Elettrodado

Afaik what is affecting the render quality (light) is the exposure range of an HDRI image. The resolution is only affecting the scenery in case you decide to render with dome on, and so you will see pixelate image in low quality.

ParallaxCreates

The both of you are absolutely correct. The reason why an HDRI map's resolution seems to be emphasized everywhere you see them sold is due to the potential quality of 1) reflections and 2) the backplate or in this case the 3) dome as Elettrodado states.

HDRIs are typically utilized for scenes that need an environment to reflect off of metallic surfaces, glossy surfaces to depict that realistic result. That's the "you were right to begin with but here's a longer drawn out explanation" version of the answer.

Notice that most HDRI maps are packed in multiple dimensions with 16384 MB being the highest in most standard cases iirc. For example, you can use 1024 MB HDRI for simple outdoor scene that is enclosed by fences for example. In a backyard scene that is surrounded by trees you wouldn't need a higher res map being that the trees obstruct the "dome" or "backplate" so you only really need the lighting from the HDRI. Alternatively you may have some renders in that same exact scene BUT you can see the sky so in that case go with something at either 4096 MB and up to get those detailed clouds for your render.

StratDragon

thanks all!