[ask] Correct workflow in Corona using HDRI

[Juraj_Talcik]

2nd Skies series aren’t HDRi, they’re just hemispherical jpegs. They’re HDRis on other hand are bit old and dated, they claim some of them go up to 16stops in range…but I haven’t been impressed at all. They’re 10k, which is more than PG, but more blurrier, taken with older dslrs. The CG-Source are taken by the guy running hdri-locations, Thomas Suurland, and it’s different league in quality to all other on market.

Trust me, I’ve bought most of PG skies, even 2 full collections of Dutch Skies, which are used in every Hollywood blockbusters..but for pure archviz lightning, the quality you get in Cg_Source (16k of super sharp, broad range of EVs) can’t be outmatched. No gamma tweaking necessary at all to boost contrast (like you would do with PG’s hdri).

[jrcenator]

You really tempting me with CG-source HDRI ;).
Maybe I try to get one and run it with my scene. Also your render for Paris apt in gallery section using HDR from cg-source?

[Petarpan]

Hi everyone, instead of starting a new thread I thought my query would be more relevant posted here.
I am looking for a workaround of the burned sky when using HDRI as the only light source in interior renders.
Highlight compression can’t seem to fix this to full extent. I attach screen grab - all default settings, map loaded through VrayHDRI in Corona Environment tab.

Thanks for your time!
Peter

[romullus]

There are several methods.

1. use direct visibility override in corona settings>enviroment
2. save as 32bit file and use local tone mapper.
3. save alpha channel and replace sky in post.
   4…

[Petarpan]

@romullus

There are several methods.

1. use direct visibility override in corona settings>enviroment
2. save as 32bit file and use local tone mapper.
3. save alpha channel and replace sky in post.
   4…

Brilliant! 1 was exactly what I was looking for - control and positional accuracy. Thank you!

[naikku]

I feel a bit stupid to ask this - but …
Why do most people use that Vray power shader to load HDRI-files?
Normal “Bitmap” is not good enough in 3ds max?
Are there any advantages using that from Vray?

[tomislavn]

@Juraj_Talcik

I can only confirm CG-Source is over-the-top best HDRi on the market. Both the fully sphericals like above, and the separate hemispherical Skies.
The resolution (16000px + !), clarity, dynamic range, is so far ahead from anything else there is, even much better than P Guthries’s one.

Is it really that much of a difference over PG’s quality? I have bought quite some PG skies for my renders but I have never tried CG-Source ones. Really tempting now..

[tomislavn]

@naikku

I feel a bit stupid to ask this - but …
Why do most people use that Vray power shader to load HDRI-files?
Normal “Bitmap” is not good enough in 3ds max?
Are there any advantages using that from Vray?

I get better sky quality in my renders while loading through V-Ray HDR Loader and the controls are better.

[zzubnik]

Max’s native HDRI loader is the ancient Splutterfish one by Cuneyt Ozdas, unless they have changed it recently.

[Cyrus3v]

Excluding the Vray, there is any alternative to the bitmap method?

[romullus]

@tomislavn

I get better sky quality in my renders while loading through V-Ray HDR Loader and the controls are better.

Pictures or it didn’t happen ;]
Seriously, i would love to see difference in sky quality between native and vray loaders.

[tomislavn]

@romullus

Pictures or it didn’t happen ;]
Seriously, i would love to see difference in sky quality between native and vray loaders.

Well, when I use standard 3dsmax bitmap loader HDR sky seems a bit pixelated in high resolution renders. Through V-Ray loader it always looks good, dunno why. I will try to grab some screenshots for comparison.

[naikku]

Can the loader be downloaded from somewhere or do I need to install Vray demo?

[belly]

You need to install Vray demo