The Smart IBL system (sIBL), developed by the folks at HDRlabs.com, is a method for making it very easy to apply IBL lighting rigs to a scene. For full details of sIBL, please refer to the HDRLabs website (http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/index.html). In brief, the system provides for:
* image files for background, lighting, and reflection
- creation of the necessary skydomes to hold these images
- creation of sun objects for outside scenes, including alignment, colour, and brightness
- creation of multiple lights for interior scenes, again including alignment, colour, and brightness
- inclusion of GPS data so the user can see exactly where an image set was shot
- easy (often one-click) insertion of all images, lights, and objects into a scene
These parameters are controlled by a simple text file with the extension IBL. This file, plus the associated image files, makes up an sIBL set. A user may have multiple sets and from the loader choose which one to apply to the scene.
Freeware loader scripts or plugins exist for several high-end 3D graphics applications (Max, Maya, XSI, Modo and Lightwave), but until now, not for Cinema 4D. In fairness, Lumen 2 can load sIBL sets, but that's a paid-for plugin and of course it does a lot more than load these sets. Anyway, this plugin adds C4D to the list and you can get it (it's free) from my site at the link below or from the forums at HDRLabs.
Please bear in mind that this is just a loader plugin for smart IBL sets. The quality of the set or the lighting solution it produces are nothing to do with the plugin. (Having said that, the HDRI quality from the HDRLabs website is very good.)
The plugin runs on PC or Mac, for C4D R10 or later, and a full manual is included.
Download link: [http://www.microbion.co.uk/graphics/c4d/sIBLLoader.htm](http://www.microbion.co.uk/graphics/c4d/sIBLLoader.htm)
[](http://www.microbion.co.uk/graphics/c4d/sIBLLoader.htm)
Thanks!
