IBL for Max

DavePhipps

I was introduced to the concept of Image Based Lighting while in the hangouts and have been looking around for information on how to implement it in Max.
I found a nice little utility to help with this
http://www.hdri-handbook.com/sibl/index.html
This too..
http://www.youcandoitvfx.com/?page_id=20
However there isn't much in the way of in depth tutorials. Has anyone found something that can get me more informed?

Eric Chadwick

Skylight can do this in Max. There are probably other ways too.
http://docs.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/15/ENU/3ds-Max-Help/index.html?url=files/GUID-772D28D6-41C3-4C80-80AD-3774726E208F.htm,topicNumber=d30e340999,hash=GUID-353CD88E-17D9-4240-8B1F-40CBDC8968B6

coldside

sIBL is great, because it automates your set up for HDR lighting.

Due to generating a proper sun/direct light, it also provides much better HDR lighting from the start.

Once you have the program extensions/scripts installed, it's as simple as opening sIBL GUI, selecting your desired sIBL set, selecting your render engine and hitting "Send to 3D Application". This then sends all the various textures, lights and settings to your application and hooks it all up for you ready to go.

Some companies do sell sIBL sets (along with regular HDRI's), but I find that sIBL becomes even more useful when you create your own sets.

You can do this using sIBL Edit: http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/sibl-edit.html

sIBL Edit allows you to load in custom HDR images to create your own sIBL sets. It will create a small size, panoramic blurred hdr to use for environment lighting (this results in less noisy, smoother and faster renders), a high resolution sharp hdr for reflections, a high resolution sharp and tone mapped image for a background (or import a custom one), and can detect the location, color and intensity of the sun.

All this information gets saved into a custom sIBL set for easy import into your favourite 3d application. It is also a non destructive workflow, meaning your original hdr is preserved and the necessary images are generated.

sIBL Edit works perfectly when you have purchased HDRI sets that don't have sIBL as well or when you create a custom HDRI. sIBL Edit even has remapping tools so you could do all your work from a hdr mirror ball to making it ready for use in your 3d application.

I have found it pretty hard to find tutorials on sIBL GUI and sIBL Edit. But here are a few links for you to get an idea of the general workflow:

sIBL Edit overview: http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/downloads/sIBL-Edit_large.mov

sIBL GUI 3 overview (older version, but some parts still applicable): https://vimeo.com/12033646

Another sIBL GUI overview, focusing on C4D: https://vimeo.com/14155705

Yet another sIBL GUI overview, focusing on 3ds Max and Vray: https://vimeo.com/23523334

Hope that helps out a bit!

Cheers,

Daniel

DavePhipps

Thanks Eric. I was aware that the the functionality between IBL and HDR plus skylight were similar, but I'm just a curious individual and always want to learn more.

Thanks for the links coldside. They will be going in the bookmarks for further exploration.

Xoliul

My shader allows it too. Limited compared to offline rendering though, but it works.

DavePhipps

Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks

Do you have anything on implementing this type of lighting in your shader?

EarthQuake

IBL is the basis for the lighting system in Marmoset Toolbag.

3point shader supports it as well, much like Xoliul's shader.