HDRI map correct use

[Dionysios.TS]

Hi all,

excuse me for the stupid question, at the end, which is the correct use of using an HDRI map for lighting? Do we have to use the Corona Output module or just load it as a bitmap with a color correction on it and tweak as we want gamma, saturation, ecc?
I am asking you this as I used for first time the Corona Output module + HDRI and I notice that keeping turned off the "affect VFB tonemapping" option the result is way to different as the HDRI range and colors seem more close to it's original version cause is not tone mapped. Till now I always loaded it as a bitmap with a color correction on it and I am wondering if I was doing the wrong thing as the tonemapping in this case affects the HDRI as well.  O.o

Thanks in advance,

Dionysios -

[PROH]

Hi. I would say no, you wasn't doing it a wrong way. IIRC the "affected by VFB tone mapping" was originally the only feature of Corona output, and therefore the only reason to use this map, hence the default being "off". Now the Corona output map has more features, and the default seems less obvious.

I use the unchecked "affected by VFB tonemapping" if I for example has a seperate background image that looks exactly as it should, and therefore shouldn't be affected by scenes tonemapping and EV.

Regards

[maru]

If the HDRI is to be used for scene lighting, then you definitely should use the "affected by tone mapping" option. Otherwise the HDRI will always stay the same regardless of your exposure, highlight compression, contrast, etc.

If you are using your HDRI as a backplate - a "background" material, that will be visible for example behind a window. Then you can disable the "affected by tone mapping" option, but this is up to your preference. This way your background will always look the same, regardless of your tone mapping settings. Just like pasting the background in Photoshop.

[Juraj]

As PROH correctly wrote, CoronaOutput has suffered from incorrect default state that harkens to its original purpose, which was purely to negate framebuffer adjustments for 'backplates'. That and that only.

Currently though, with its features it's more suited for general color adjustments node in same way as ColorCorrection node, but for that to function properly, "Affected by VFB tonemapping" needs to be ON, all the time.

This map will get forked in very near future supposedly from what Ondra mentioned into two maps: one meant for the original purpose and one as general color correction.

[Dionysios.TS]

Ok, guys, as I imagined! Excuse me for the simple doubt and thanks for your answers!!!

Dionysios -