Using HDRI Photos

OldminerOldminer Posts: 134
edited January 2014 in Carrara Discussion

Sorry but I am a real dummy in Carrara 8.5. How do you use HDRI Photos? where do you load them I tried the HDRI in the Background Scene selection, Navigated to the file where I have HDRI Photos (HDRProSetsYosemitePackOne) but can't load the HDR photo.
Is there a Tutorial on this?

Post edited by Oldminer on

Comments

  • DartanbeckDartanbeck Posts: 21,537
    edited December 1969

    The way you explain is correct. Note that you won't see it unless you render. See the image below, my scene window is set to black. I have the HDRI loaded in. Where you do see the HDRI is where I've used the spot render tool.

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  • OldminerOldminer Posts: 134
    edited December 1969

    The problem is that the HDRI photos are grayed out and I can't select one. It's as if Carrera doesn't recognize the photos!

  • DartanbeckDartanbeck Posts: 21,537
    edited December 1969

    Are you sure? Try selecting one anyways. On my machine, it sort of looks like it might be grayed out as well - but I can still double-click them.

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  • DartanbeckDartanbeck Posts: 21,537
    edited December 1969

    These are straight from that Yosemite Pack you've mentioned.

  • OldminerOldminer Posts: 134
    edited December 1969

    I tried double clicking no luck. I have attached a jpg of the path where my hdri photos are. Maybe I need to do something with the location?

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  • evilproducerevilproducer Posts: 9,050
    edited January 2014

    And you're selecting the hdri option under Background? I see you're on a Mac. So am I. I use C7.2 Pro and have DT's Skies of Terra and it works fine.

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    Post edited by evilproducer on
  • DartanbeckDartanbeck Posts: 21,537
    edited December 1969

    Location shouldn't matter - as long as you know where to find them.

  • evilproducerevilproducer Posts: 9,050
    edited December 1969

    Location shouldn't matter - as long as you know where to find them.

    You are correct.

  • OldminerOldminer Posts: 134
    edited January 2014

    I am using Background and navigating using the browse button on the HDRI panel (Attached PNG Background) I get the attached PNG File).. Is there a setting I need to change?

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    Post edited by Oldminer on
  • evilproducerevilproducer Posts: 9,050
    edited December 1969

    EUGENEWD said:
    I am using Background and navigating using the browse button on the HDRI panel (Attached PNG Background) I get the attached PNG File).. Is there a setting I need to change?

    The directory in your last screen shot shows a bunch of .cbr files, which are Carrara native browser files. Have you tried maybe opening one of the scene presets that came with it? The lights included in the scene should then match the light direction shown in the hdr image. DT is really pretty good at that. The other render settings should also be optimized for it. You can still still stick anything in the scene you wish, or change any of the preset lights and cameras as well.

    To open an hdri from the hdri browse button in the scene's background it needs to be an hdri, so look for the .hdr at the end of the file name if you're trying to load it manually.

  • DartanbeckDartanbeck Posts: 21,537
    edited December 1969

    Yes. evil is correct.
    The files you are accessing are actual scene presets, I think. So if you add that folder to your Misc tab of your browser, you then drag the file from there into your background scene heading, instead of loading as normal.

    The actual HDR Image files that you load on your own are located under Carrara 8.5 > Presets > Textures > Dimension Theory
    The one your showing us is Presets > Background > Dimension Theory

    Big difference.
    Whew! Glad that one's solved!

  • OldminerOldminer Posts: 134
    edited December 1969

    Thanks Dartanbeck - I can load the HDR just fine, I don't know what to do with the envs which come in the folder!

  • evilproducerevilproducer Posts: 9,050
    edited December 1969

    Those are probably scene files with included lights and cameras that are optimized for the scene. HDRI is an image based light system, but for better renders, it helps to have a light that provides highlights, as HDRIs provide a more diffuse light. I don't have the Yosimite product, but if it is similar to others DT has put out, then I will guess I'm pretty close. There also may be other elements in the scene file as well. Why not open one and see what it looks like?

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