HDRI CREATOR DOCUMENTATION

HDRI Creator – User Documentation

Latest Version: 0.82
Where to buy:
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HDRI Creator Development and support:
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Introduction

HDRI Creator is a powerful tool designed to generate custom skies high-dynamic-range images (HDRIs). This software provides an intuitive interface for users to create HDR skies with customizable settings like time of the day, clouds formations, latitude, longitude, realistic sun and moon positioning simulations, etc.

User Interface Guide

Top Menu Bar

  • Exit: Closes the application.
  • Camera (1): Adjusts all sky and image settings. The main window to create custom HDRI Images.
  • Saved Gallery (2): Opens previously saved HDRIs setups.
  • Movement Sensitivity: Adjusts how fast keyboard interactions respond (Slow – Fast toggle).

HDR Preview Screen

  • Small / Large: Changes the preview size of the HDRI.
  • Reload Image: Refreshes the displayed image by increasing the calculation time. Ideal for night setups or when using reflective ground options. You can always click and drag on screen to refresh Preview as well.

Time and Location Controls

  • Time of Day: Adjusts the time of the scene, affecting lighting, sun and moon positions.
  • Date: Changes the date, which influences sun/moon positions.
  • Location: Sets latitude and longitude for realistic sun placement.
  • Time Zone: Modifies the time zone to match the selected location.
  • Fog: Adjusts fog intensity for atmospheric effects (experimental feature – can show stitching problems).

Sky Settings Panel

  • Now Time: Change time of day to your real time at the moment you pressed the button. Will follow your computer’s clock.
  • Simulate Real Moon: Toggles realistic moon positioning based on location, date and time.
  • Sky Color: Opens a color picker to set sky hues.
  • Advanced Clouds Settings:
    • Softness: Controls cloud blur and sharpness.
    • Altitude: Adjusts the height of clouds.
    • Sky Coverage: Determines how much of the sky is filled with clouds.
    • Erosion: Controls cloud dispersal and detail.
    • Absorption: Affects how much light clouds absorb.
    • Position: Moves clouds across the sky.
    • Thickness: Changes the density of clouds.
    • Base Scale: Alters the size and structure of clouds.

Sun and Moon Controls

  • Sun Size: Adjusts the apparent size of the sun.
  • Moon Size: Changes the apparent size of the moon.
  • Moon Phase: Manually adjust the slider to modify moon’s illumination.
  • Stars Intensity: Controls the brightness of stars at night.

Sky Color Panel

  • Color Picker: Selects custom sky colors.
  • Saturation Slider: Adjusts the vividness of sky colors.
  • Brightness Slider: Modifies sky brightness.

Bottom Panel

  • Sky Settings: Opens all settings related to time, location, cloud and atmosphere options.
  • Randomize: Generates a new random sky setting.
  • Export Resolution: Selects the resolution for exported HDRI (1k, 2k, 4k, 8k).
  • Export HDRI: Saves the HDRI in .hdr file for external use in any 3D software like Blender, Maya, Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot, 3DS Max, etc.
  • Cog Wheel Icon: Open Automatic File Naming options.
  • Save Setup: Stores current settings for future editing. Press 2 on your keyboard to open Saved gallery.

Ground Material Selector

  • Material Options: Choose from different ground textures:
    • Empty: No ground surface (automatically enabled when Sky Cam is enabled).
    • Black: Default dark ground.
    • Soft Reflection: A slightly reflective surface.
    • Reflective: A fully reflective ground.
    • Stone Tiles Wet: A stone-like surface with reflections.
    • Stone Tiles: A “dry” stone-like surface.
    • Dry Cracked Mud: A dry mud surface.

Troubleshooting

  • Image Not Updating properly: Try reloading the image or move camera around.
  • Image too dark or too bright: Modify exposure levels to correct brightness inconsistencies under Control Menu on the top right corner.
  • Too slow: Open Video Settings and reduce Overall Quality under Graphic Settings.

Conclusion

HDRI Creator is an essential tool for artists and designers looking to craft realistic lighting environments. By following these steps, you can maximize its features and create high-quality HDRIs with ease.