HDRI Scale and Height Adjustment in Enscape (ENSCAPE-I-1723)

Enscape Requests
1

Description:
I would like to suggest the implementation of new controls that allow users to adjust the scale (size) and height (ground level alignment) of the HDRI environment in Enscape.

Currently, Enscape allows HDRI rotation and brightness adjustment, but it lacks options to rescale or vertically reposition the horizon of the image, which limits visual integration between the 3D model and the background environment.

Practical Reference:

In V-Ray, for example, there are parameters such as:

  • Radius (HDRI Scale): defines the size and curvature of the background image, allowing better framing and distance perception.
  • Projection Height: aligns the HDRI horizon with the ground level of the project, creating more coherent lighting and reflections.

This flexibility helps achieve a more realistic and visually integrated composition, especially for exterior scenes.

Suggested Implementation in Enscape:

Add two new sliders to the Sky tab under Visual Settings → Skybox:

  • HDRI Size (or Scale): slider to adjust the overall scale of the HDRI background.
  • HDRI Height: slider to move the horizon line vertically, aligning it with the ground plane.

These parameters would give users precise control over how the HDRI fits within the 3D scene, without needing to manually edit the HDR file.

Benefits:

  • Improved visual realism in renders.
  • Greater artistic and technical control.
  • More accurate alignment between HDRI lighting and the 3D environment.

Submitted on AHA Ideas (ENSCAPE-I-1723).

2

Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed and thoughtful suggestion - it’s clear you’ve put a lot of consideration into how this functionality could improve visual realism and control.

As Enscape’s main goal is to support designers during the design process, we focus on simplicity, performance, and helping users make better design decisions rather than on fine-tuning visual output. For this reason, we’re not planning to introduce advanced HDRI scaling or alignment controls in Enscape.

That said, your idea aligns very well with what we’re developing in our new visualisation product, Envision, which is designed to offer more flexibility and control for presentation and storytelling. I encourage you to try it and share your feedback - we’d love to hear how it fits your workflow and what additional needs it could address.

Thank you again for your valuable input and for helping us improve the overall Chaos ecosystem.

Submitted on AHA Ideas.

3

AHA Ideas status: Declined.
Set during AHA Ideas to Discourse migration.