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View Full Version : Max 8/MR Image-Based Lighting

jackbird
12-16-2005, 07:07 PM
What's the right way to set up image-based (HDRI) lighting in Mental Ray?


Max Skylight with map?

If so, what projection method?
If so, what is the 'right' multiplier setting so as to avoid using exposure control?

Skydome with Self-Illumination?

If so, is there a 'right' shader to use for the material?

Something else?
andrewjohn81
12-16-2005, 08:39 PM
I believe it is skylight with multiplier of 1.

You control how much light is being output by the white point when you import the hdr.
vaXn8d
12-16-2005, 11:09 PM
You control how much light is being output by the white point when you import the hdr.

This method can get you into trouble though. The white and black points for hdri importation are stored globally within max, not within the bitmap (or its settings) or even the scene. If you import a new hdri and change the settings it will globally change the exposure settings for all hdri's used on that computer (in Max, of course). This can also screw up any net rendering if all slaves aren't set to the same exposure. Adjusting the RGB output (under bitmap parameters) is a safer way to adjust hdri brightness.
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12-16-2005, 11:09 PM
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