Environment Lighting and Environment Image

Rendering

Image-based lighting (IBL) can be used to easily create true-to-life lighting environments. The lighting is formed by two components: environment lighting and an environment image.

  • Environment lighting

    A model must have an environment light (light type: environment) and the light must be on. You can add an environment light from the light library or load a studio (DEFAULT) with an environment light into the model.

    Add a Light

    Load a Studio

    You can adjust the most important shading properties of the environment light using the sliders in the Rendering dialog box.

    Define Rendering Settings

  • Environment image

    An environment image can be any panoramic image suitable for the purpose, but a hdr image that is created specifically for this purpose will produce the best lighting. An environment image can also be an image which produces a photographic studio style lighting. The software delivery always includes ready-made hdr environment images. You can also add an environment image to the model using the function Set Environment, or by selecting a file in the Rendering dialog box.

    Set an Environment

    Define Rendering Settings

You can switch the lighting method on and off by selecting or clearing the Environment lighting checkbox in the Rendering dialog box. You can render a model with the function Rendering | Render Style | Rendered, or by clicking the Render button in the Rendering dialog box.