In context interactive HDRI map creation and control
There are many uses for HDR Light Studio in the visual effects pipeline. Quickly create HDR lighting to place CG characters convincingly into filmed background footage using color matching tools. Adjust and improve HDR environments captured on set and adjust their color, exposure, saturation to better match the back plate imagery, or to enhance them for dramatic effect. Plus add additional studio lighting into an existing map where needed – or turn down the brightness of light sources using SunShade. The new tool-set found within HDR Light Studio 4 is opening doors for this product in the animation and effects studios, especially with the arrival of new Linux versions and floating licensing.
HDR Light Studio is first and foremost a lighting tool. We have made HDRI images dynamic, allowing them to be created on the fly, for in context lighting of a shot with an interactive renderer. HDRI has become as flexible and controllable as 3D light sources. Many types of shot normally lit with CG lights can be lit super-fast with HDR Light Studio.
HDR Light Studio is an ideal tool for look development – allowing rapid creation of lighting around a scene or object within moments. Because the lighting is image based – reflections and illumination work with physically plausible materials for believable results. Building lighting rigs with emitters and placing them in 3D would take a lot longer than HDR Light Studio.
The new LightPaint technology allows 3D artists to interact directly with a rendered view to place lights onto the model to reflect or illuminate the chosen location. Users can art direct the lights in real-time within the final shot composition. This brings a huge productivity boost for lighting artists.
"We used HDRLS to aid with the HDRI lighting for the transformation shots. On location, both an orange car and a silver car were shot and we were tasked with creating the effect of the paint disintegrating and peeling off. To do this we animated and dynamically simulated the paint peeling effect and developed a look. Later, during lighting, we used HDR Light Studio on base HDRI images that were shot on location. These were taken into HDR Light Studio - working as a plugin in combination with Maya and LightPaint - to enable us to accurately place highlights and darken / bring up the original HDRI as required to shape the lighting. It turned out to be an efficient and fun way to light - we could get feedback quickly from the Lightpaint window and take it across for higher quality renders in our renderer in Maya. We also used HDR Light Studio in a couple of shots where CG cables were added snapping off (primarily the shot from behind with the cables flailing). Again it proved to be a good way of quickly trying out different looks and highlight positions."
HDR Light Studio is first and foremost a lighting tool. We have made HDRI images dynamic, allowing them to be created on the fly, for in context lighting of a shot with an interactive renderer. HDRI has become as flexible and controllable as 3D light sources. Many types of shot normally lit with CG lights can be lit super-fast with HDR Light Studio.
HDR Light Studio is an ideal tool for look development – allowing rapid creation of lighting around a scene or object within moments. Because the lighting is image based – reflections and illumination work with physically plausible materials for believable results. Building lighting rigs with emitters and placing them in 3D would take a lot longer than HDR Light Studio.
The new LightPaint technology allows 3D artists to interact directly with a rendered view to place lights onto the model to reflect or illuminate the chosen location. Users can art direct the lights in real-time within the final shot composition. This brings a huge productivity boost for lighting artists.
Andy Rowan-Robinson, CG Supervisor, FrameStore NYC, explains their use of HDR Light Studio on a recent spot for Mercedes.
"We used HDRLS to aid with the HDRI lighting for the transformation shots. On location, both an orange car and a silver car were shot and we were tasked with creating the effect of the paint disintegrating and peeling off. To do this we animated and dynamically simulated the paint peeling effect and developed a look. Later, during lighting, we used HDR Light Studio on base HDRI images that were shot on location. These were taken into HDR Light Studio - working as a plugin in combination with Maya and LightPaint - to enable us to accurately place highlights and darken / bring up the original HDRI as required to shape the lighting. It turned out to be an efficient and fun way to light - we could get feedback quickly from the Lightpaint window and take it across for higher quality renders in our renderer in Maya. We also used HDR Light Studio in a couple of shots where CG cables were added snapping off (primarily the shot from behind with the cables flailing). Again it proved to be a good way of quickly trying out different looks and highlight positions."
HDR Light Studio Live plug-ins are available for Maya and Houdini
on Windows, Mac and Linux
Node locked or floating licensing
What to Buy
HDR Light Studio 4 comes in a single edition that includes all features and connectivity.
Experience HDR Light Studio today, take the demo version for a spin!
