Dome light question

[_jaro]

When do you guys use it?

I have read through different threads of this forum but it is still unclear to me.

Is Dome light some kind of replacement for classical GI or is Dome light some kind of supplement for GI?


I did some tests and what I get is an image that looks like simple GI with white environment color - is it some kind of simple alternative to set up scene for to get renderings like this?
If so, what are advantages or disadvantages?

[joconnell]

The main benefit is that the dome light when used with a hdri or bitmap image can pre sample the bitmap and make way more efficient use of the amount of samples it has been given - You get more accurate lighting and shadows using the dome light and you'll get a cleaner result in less time than with the regular environment map.

[Candelero]

Take a look at this part of the V-Ray online manual:

http://www.spot3d.com/vray/help/150R...lights.htm#ex5


Best regards,
nikki Candelero

[_jaro]

When I tested it ( dome light ) with HDRI or without HDRI, I had very similar results from renderer whenever was GI turned on and off. Is this the benefit of this type of light, that you don't need to turn GI on saving you some time or am I heading incorrectly?

Actually, there is some difference with GI turned off / on, because when I'm comparing renderings I can see some GI stuff going on there.

It seems to me, that now with IBL implemented into dome light, it make sence to use it to lighten the scene very simply and effectivly.

Does it make sence to combine dome light with other light sources in the scene, or dome light schould be the only light source in the scene?

I understand IBL and benefit of this perfect feature - dome light + hdri.

But in what other cases can you use dome light, why it was implemented in previous releses od V-ray, before IBL?

Now with newer releases, it should be used only with IBL or is there any other utilizing of dome light in lighten up the scene workflow?

[studioDIM]

http://www.chaosgroup.com/forum/phpB...ic.php?t=19636

Some debate, sample and link to other threads regarding usage of the domelight.
Please do a forum search, this is the third thread on the same manual-related subject in as many days...

Lele

[_jaro]

studio DIM, thank you for the post