Lightmap ships LightWave plugin for HDR Light Studio
LightWave has become the latest 3D application to get its own live link to HDR Light Studio, Lightmap’s versatile image-based lighting software, joining 3ds Max, Maya, Houdini and Modo.
HDR Light Studio enables artists to create synthetic HDRI maps or edit existing HDRI files and see the resulting image-based lighting applied to their 3D scenes in real time.
The new Lightwave3D Live Connection plugin enables users to see lighting effects evolve dynamically in LightWave’s VPR view, and supports both the native LightWave renderer and Octane Render.
More details in the press release below. You’ll need to be using LightWave 10 or higher.
PRESS RELEASE (Excerpts)
Software developers continue to create powerful new enhancements that complement the features of LightWave 3D software. The newest to market is HDR Light Studio Live Connection, from the developers at HDR Light Studio, which offers real-time lighting sessions for the creation of HDRI maps with instant feedback in the LightWave Viewport Preview Renderer (VPR).
HDR Light Studio includes tools that are designed to help artists deliver stunning final results. From the LightWave 3D viewport, including VPR mode, artists can position lights directly in a shot for instant visual feedback. The point and click lighting approach is designed save time and streamline rendering workflow.
“It’s exciting to see HDR Light Studio go to market with its new Live Connection plug-in for LightWave—the first designed to directly support LightWave’s VPR,” said Rob Powers, president, LightWave 3D Group. “By offering an interactive, real-time lighting tool that takes advantage of the power of the VPR in LightWave, artists are free to easily explore different image-based lighting scenarios. Image based lighting was a first in LightWave; it creates very realistic and subtle lighting of a scene. HDR Light Studio’s ability to tap into the VPR to extend image-based editing makes it an essential tool for any LightWave artist.”
HDR Light Studio Live Connection features:
- Non‐destructive, interactive HDRI map creation and editing
- Live Connection between HDR Light Studio and LightWave 3D
- LightPaint – Point and click light positioning and selection in views, including the VPR
- Controllable procedural light sources and library of HDR lights, including HDR captures of studio light sources
- Layered lighting system with blend modes
Other features in HDR Light Studio Live Connection include the ability to enhance existing HDRI maps via localized adjustments to color, exposure and saturation; augment existing HDRI maps with additional light sources; and store and manage preset HDR Light Studio environment designs in LightWave 3D.
Pricing and Availability
The HDR Light Studio Live Connection plug‐in for LightWave 3D is included in the HDR Light Studio 4 – Complete edition and is compatible with LightWave 3D versions 10 or higher for Windows or Mac. The HDR Light Studio 4 – Complete edition is priced at £299 ($500 USD).
Read more about HDR Light Studio and the new LightWave plugin online