Lightmap releases HDR Light Studio 8.2.2
Lightmap has released HDR Light Studio 8.2.2, the latest version of its real-time lighting design tool.
The update improves workflow with Blender, making it possible to use HDR Light Studio’s LightPaint tools directly on interactive renders from the open-source 3D app.
A real-time lighting design tool with a number of interesting workflow features
First released in 2009, HDR Light Studio is a real-time lighting design tool for visualization, motion graphics and visual effects work.
Although its original use was authoring synthetic HDRIs, it has since evolved into a much broader toolset, including the option to generate and control HDR-textured 3D area lights in many of its host applications.
Noteworthy features include LightPaint, which lets users position highlights or shadows on the surface of a 3D model by clicking on its surface in the render view.
Connection plugins are available for most major DCC applications, including 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D and Maya, creating a live link to the 3D software.
HDR Light Studio 8.2.2: ‘paint’ highlights into Blender interactive renders
HDR Light Studio 8.2.2 improves workflow with Blender, making it possible to stream the Blender viewport into HDR Light Studio itself.
The change makes it possible to use LightPaint directly on interactive renders.
As well as Eevee, Blender’s real-time renderer, the Blender connection plugin supports Cycles, RenderMan and OctaneRender.
Other changes include a new Texture Scale setting for area lights, intended to limit the memory used by light textures when working with Unreal Engine.
Pricing and availability
HDR Light Studio 8.2.2 is available for Windows 10+, CentOS 7.9+ Linux and macOS 11.4+
Connection plugins are available for a range of common DCC and CAD tools: you can see a table of versions supported and HDR Light Studio features available here.
The software is rental-only. Indie subscriptions, for users with revenue under $100,000/year, cost $220/year. Pro subscriptions cost $445/year for a node-locked license, $975/year for a floating license.
Both include 12 of the connection plugins, including the Blender connection.
Automotive subscriptions cost $1,495/year for a node-locked license, $2,245/year for floating, and add connections for DeltaGen, Patchwork3D, Unreal Engine and VRED.
Read more about the new features in HDR Light Studio 8.2.2 on Lightmap’s blog
Read a full list of new features in HDR Light Studio in the online changelog
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