Image Based Lighting

Owned by Mihai Iliuta (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 06 Dec, 2012Version comment
3 min read

Stack! Studios //  www.stack-studios.com


Image Based Lighting (IBL) allows you to light your scene by applying an HDR image (high dynamic range image) to a virtual sphere that encompasses your scene. This is useful if you want your 3D model to appear as if it is actually in a real environment. The scene will be lit according to the properties of the HDR image and reflections from this environment will also show on your models. You can use an .HDR, .MXI or .EXR image for the IBL. These three image formats store high dynamic range data, providing accurate environment lighting. Please note that the images used for IBL should be in the Latitude/ Longitude format (the width should be twice the height). Images in “strobes” or “cross” formats will not work correctly.

Global IBL Settings

  • Intensity: A global intensity multiplier that affects all the IBL channels (background, reflection, refraction and illumination).
  • Interpolation: This option can be useful when you have a low resolution HDR map and you see pixelization in the HDR map when it is seen in the background, in reflective objects or through transparent objects. The pixels in the map will be interpolated to try and “blend” the pixels together to avoid the pixelated look.
  • Screen Mapping: Select if you want your map to be applied spherically (disabled) or in a planar screen fashion (enabled).

Channels

Maxwell allows you to adjust each channel (background, reflection, refraction and illumination) separately, allowing different maps, different intensities, orientations or even different environment modes (dome, physical, hdr or none) on each channel. This gives you extreme flexibility to customize your scenes.

Background

  • Type: This combo allows you to specify which environment mode you want for your background, between: HDR image, the Active Sky(constant or physical) or Disabled.
  • Map: Select the MXI, HDR or EXR map to be used.
  • Intensity: Adjust the intensity of the map to increase or decrease its contribution to scene background.
  • Scale: Scale the current map.
  • Offset: Rotate the spherical environment in the X and Y axis. 0 - 100 represents rotation from 0 to 360°.

Reflection

  • Type: This combo allows you to specify which environment mode you want for your reflections, between: HDR image, the Active Sky(constant or physical), the same used for Background or Disabled.
  • Map: Select the MXI, HDR or EXR map to be used.
  • Intensity: Adjust the intensity of the map to increase or decrease its contribution to scene reflections.
  • Scale: Scale the current map.
  • Offset: Rotate the spherical environment in the X and Y axis. 0 - 100 represents rotation from 0 to 360°.

Refraction

  • Type: This combo allows you to specify which environment mode you want on your refraction, between: HDR image, the Active Sky(constant or physical), the same used for Background or Disabled.
  • Map: Select the MXI, HDR or EXR map to be used.
  • Intensity: Adjust the intensity of the map to increase or decrease its contribution to scene refractions.
  • Scale: Scale the current map.
  • Offset: Rotate the spherical environment in the X and Y axis. 0 - 100 represents rotation from 0 to 360°.

Illumination

  • Type: This combo allows you to specify which environment mode you want for your illumination, between: HDR image, the Active Sky(constant or physical), the same used for Background or Disabled.
  • Map: Select the MXI, HDR or EXR map to be used.
  • Intensity: Adjust the intensity of the map to increase or decrease its contribution to scene illumination.
  • Scale: Scale the current map.
  • Offset: Rotate the spherical environment in the X and Y axis. 0 - 100 represents rotation from 0 to 360°.

 

Kenny Syverson