[ask] Correct workflow in Corona using HDRI

[jrcenator]

Wow, really nice. Do you by any chance can show me what your HDR image looks like?

Thanks :)

[Jahman]

http://www.aversis.be/tutorials/vray/vray-high-dynamic-range-hdri.htm
strongly recommend to read this before further experiments

if your hdri looks too dark in material editor try to set its gamma to 2,2
if hdri colors look unsaturated (whitsh) then you shoud try 0.454 as gamma

And i would recommend using camera exposure instead of changing hdr multiplyer

[jrcenator]

Hi, thanks Jahman. It's really good reading and nice tips there :). Looks like I need lots of experimenting (also in my material setting, I realize it's really bad).
Anyway, thank you very much for all of you :D

[3DLENik]

Here's a rather unremarkable HDRI map used. This is of course a simplified version of the picture.

[jrcenator]

Wow, it is a really nice HDRI. The sun/shadow is sharp and had lots of natural color. Really helpful man :D Thank you

[Juraj]

I can only confirm CG-Source is over-the-top best HDRi on the market. Both the fully sphericals like above, and the separate hemispherical Skies.
The resolution (16000px + !), clarity, dynamic range, is so far ahead from anything else there is, even much better than P Guthries's one.

[jrcenator]

How about the one from Hyperfocal? they had 2nd series with skies that looks nice

[Juraj]

2nd Skies series aren't HDRi, they're just hemispherical jpegs. They're HDRis on other hand are bit old and dated, they claim some of them go up to 16stops in range...but I haven't been impressed at all. They're 10k, which is more than PG, but more blurrier, taken with older dslrs. The CG-Source are taken by the guy running hdri-locations, Thomas Suurland, and it's different league in quality to all other on market.

Trust me, I've bought most of PG skies, even 2 full collections of Dutch Skies, which are used in every Hollywood blockbusters..but for pure archviz lightning, the quality you get in Cg_Source (16k of super sharp, broad range of EVs) can't be outmatched. No gamma tweaking necessary at all to boost contrast (like you would do with PG's hdri).

[jrcenator]

You really tempting me with CG-source HDRI ;).
Maybe I try to get one and run it with my scene. Also your render for Paris apt in gallery section using HDR from cg-source?

[blackwave]

Hi everyone, instead of starting a new thread I thought my query would be more relevant posted here.
I am looking for a workaround of the burned sky when using HDRI as the only light source in interior renders.
Highlight compression can't seem to fix this to full extent. I attach screen grab - all default settings, map loaded through VrayHDRI in Corona Environment tab.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dcarod8x0483u17/Screenshot_3.png
Thanks for your time!
Peter

[romullus]

There are several methods.
1. use direct visibility override in corona settings>enviroment
2. save as 32bit file and use local tone mapper.
3. save alpha channel and replace sky in post.
4...

[blackwave]

There are several methods.
1. use direct visibility override in corona settings>enviroment
2. save as 32bit file and use local tone mapper.
3. save alpha channel and replace sky in post.
4...

Brilliant! #1 was exactly what I was looking for - control and positional accuracy. Thank you!

[naikku]

I feel a bit stupid to ask this - but ...
Why do most people use that Vray power shader to load HDRI-files?
Normal "Bitmap" is not good enough in 3ds max?
Are there any advantages using that from Vray?

[tomislavn]

I can only confirm CG-Source is over-the-top best HDRi on the market. Both the fully sphericals like above, and the separate hemispherical Skies.
The resolution (16000px + !), clarity, dynamic range, is so far ahead from anything else there is, even much better than P Guthries's one.

Is it really that much of a difference over PG's quality? I have bought quite some PG skies for my renders but I have never tried CG-Source ones. Really tempting now..

[tomislavn]

I feel a bit stupid to ask this - but ...
Why do most people use that Vray power shader to load HDRI-files?
Normal "Bitmap" is not good enough in 3ds max?
Are there any advantages using that from Vray?

I get better sky quality in my renders while loading through V-Ray HDR Loader and the controls are better.