[SOLVED] What are and how do I use HDRIs?

pufflehuff

Imma just flat out say that I don't know exactly what these are and how to 'apply' them?

I have the Theory of Light - Energy Flow Iray Lights, HDRIs from Fabiana but I have no idea how to use them. I'm lost! I don't even know where to start researching what these are. All the YouTube videos seem to advanced or aren't what I'm looking for... :L

 

 

Paintbox

An hdri is also called image based lighting. So instead of placing lamps and suns in your scene, you can also use an image to light your scene. So all light will come from your image (you can still add other light sources)

HDR means it is high dynamic range, so light will behave like in the real world. From very dark to the extreme power and luminosity of the sun.

You find the hdri setting in render settings, under the option environment. Once you click the preset it should show the image over there and it will then use that as a light source. 

pufflehuff

Paintbox said:

 So instead of placing lamps and suns in your scene, you can also use an image to light your scene. So all light will come from your image (you can still add other light sources)

You find the hdri setting in render settings, under the option environment. Once you click the preset it should show the image over there and it will then use that as a light source. 

Aaaah, I get it now!

Thanks so much, you've saved me from this headache! <3

SpottedKitty

Note that many HDRI files are absolutely huge. This is because another use of them is to provide a 360° background image for your scene. There are controls to adjust this in Render Settings>Environment below the bit where you set the HDRI file.

Also note that the default HDRI is small and blurry. It isn't suitable for use as a background, but there is a larger version (with three others) among the free content included in DAZ|Studio that can be used as a background.

Look out for a thread somewhere on the forums about "Free HDRIs" — it has links to free downloads, and tips on how to use them.

pufflehuff

SpottedKitty said:

Note that many HDRI files are absolutely huge. This is because another use of them is to provide a 360° background image for your scene. There are controls to adjust this in Render Settings>Environment below the bit where you set the HDRI file.

Also note that the default HDRI is small and blurry. It isn't suitable for use as a background, but there is a larger version (with three others) among the free content included in DAZ|Studio that can be used as a background.

Look out for a thread somewhere on the forums about "Free HDRIs" — it has links to free downloads, and tips on how to use them.

Thanks for this bit too! I reeeeeally appreciate this.