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LOTK
09-04-2005, 09:06 PM
I'm using some HDRI skies to light a scene with a car running on asphalt. The reflections are nice and the smooth HDR lighting is satisfactory. However I find the overall scene generally dark and I am thinking that I might be working in the wrong way by letting only the hdr sky to light my scene (this is not regarding Indirect Illumination).

Again if I try to add an omni light for example on the position were the HDR sun is and add a bit more light from that direction it makes it look more unatural.

Can someone offer some lighting techniques in addition with the HDR lighting?

Thanks a lot
mr Bob
09-04-2005, 11:58 PM
For the Sun you would want a directional light , not an Omni , as to other lighting set ups there are plenty , I often build light domes out of HDR images and then I can refine the lighting.

B
Wiro
09-05-2005, 02:07 AM
Unless you have a really hires HDR map with a very small sun you'll end up with very soft shadows. This is why I prefer to use separate strengths for HDR reflections and HDR skydomes. Full power on reflections but only partial strength on the skydome, mixed with a directional arealight.

Wiro
TiskO
09-05-2005, 07:25 AM
It also depends what you're rendering it out with, whether it be mental ray, vray of final render for example. Im a vray man, and i agree 100% with what Wiro said, as do i with Mr Bob with the direct light over omni's.
LOTK
09-05-2005, 12:17 PM
Thanks everyone,

I am using Brazil, I forgot to mention. I am using a spherical environment HDR map (non filtered) for the reflections and another map with the same HDR blurred for the lighting. The images are about ~3000x2000 but the bright parts are not sufficient to make the lighting in the way I like it.

Wiro: what do you mean by less "power" on the skydome. You mean the skylight should have less intensity on the RGB level?

I will try to apply the solutions you offered and let you know

thanks
mr Bob
09-05-2005, 11:55 PM
If your lighting is not as powerfull as you like it and your limited by your map ,can you make a light dome out of your HDR map in brazil ? ie replace the HDR with lights sampled from the map. my lack of knowing anything max shows so you will have to excuse me there.

B
Wiro
09-06-2005, 05:59 AM
LOTK, yes if you are adding in a directional light you may need to reduce the intensity of the skylight.

Wiro
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