How to use a V-Ray hdri into a Dome
How to use an HDRI map into a Dome?
for V-Ray 5 and NEXT
Here we have a great final result by our student Helmie Halim, for this amazing ‘Villa in the Woods’ created by following the 5SRW Method, just published in our students gallery:
He created this mood just using 1 HDRI covering the entire environment. But we can use HDRI maps in different situations. Let’s explore 4 specific cases where the hdri maps can produce amazing results. We’re going to talk about:
- VIDEO IN HD / Narrated / 10 ‘
- FILES to download
- V- Ray Dome with HDRI, vray hdri
- Handling background viewport
- Using portal and simple options
- VRay Dome and Matte objects
- Ground projection
- Versions used: 3ds Max 2014 / V-Ray 3.xx (compatible NEXT)
V-Ray HDRI
We can use HDRIs in V-Ray using the “V-Ray Dome”. It is an IBL tool, that means it has a lot of interesting features: it works with and without global illumination, it offers a lot of controls on the maps and this is not all! It is also optimized, faster and finally offer better results.
All the techniques we have in our V-Ray Course (5SRW) are perfectly applicable to this tool, considering is primary or secondary light is not a problem. The focus is always finding the right place for this light into our light hierarchy.
After it has started, click the “X” to view it in full screen:
(*) All the lessons in our V-Ray COURSE are subtitled in English. Press on ‘CC’ to enable it
HDRI CONCEPTS :
- Use V-Ray hdri maps through VRayDomes, using the HDRI node
- To get sharp shadows use HDRI maps with a clear spotlight
- Enabling “Store with IM” corresponds to using HDRI in Environment rollout (F10)
- Portal and Simple could be used to reduce render time, losing some details
- In case of splotches created by portals, increase VRayDome samples to 30-50
- Create Matte Objects enabling: Matte – Matte for refl/refr – Shadows
- Enable Spherical (full dome) option when using HDRI with sky and ground
- Avoid GI splotches disabling GI (in general or for the single matte object)
- Disable GI when secondary bounces have no impact in the scene
- Let perspectives match using Ground Projection
- Ground projection only works for Environment maps
- Use Radius and Position to tune the projection
(*) slight differences can be caused by different V-Ray versions
UNWRAP MATERIAL
In case you want to create a Matte Object using a material, you can use the VRayMtlWrapper, setting the same options you watched the video. Remember that this material works only with a VRayMtl inside:
FILES & TRAINING
Open the files with 3ds Max 2011 or superior
Download the package containing the 4 scenes and relative HDRI maps:
Note: HDRI maps in the video are replaced with similar ones
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