The Blue Noon HDRI is an image intended for environmental lighting within 3D applications capable of using high dynamic range images. Both a low-res and a high-res version of the image are available free for download.
High dynamic range images are an alternative way to lighten a 3D scene by simulating a natural approach to the light situation in the scene. Since HDR images contain more information per pixel than traditional 24-bit (low dynamic range) images (such as bitmaps, JPEGs, etc.) a more natural light situation overall can be achieved.
The Blue Noon HDR image has been generated artificially using e-on's Vue 5 global illumination solutions upon a sea scene with underwater terrain. It comes in two flavors (depending on the software you use you may either prefer the one or the other (or both).
Blue Noon HDRI Panoramic Projection
Blue Noon HDRI Panoramic Projection
The image shows the panoramic & spherical projection HDRI converted to a low dynamic range image with default exposure. This panoramic & spherical projection is available in low resolution (800x400 px) and in high resolution (3200x1600 px).
Test A with Carrara 5 Professional
Blue Noon HDRI Panoramic Projection Test A
This test image has been rendered using DAZ's Carrara 5 Professional (no postwork). There are no lights in the scenes and all lighting comes from the environmental illumination.
Test B with Carrara 5 Professional
Blue Noon HDRI Panoramic Projection Test B
This test image has been rendered using DAZ's Carrara 5 Professional (no postwork). There are no lights in the scenes and all lighting comes from the environmental illumination.
Blue Noon HDRI Light Probe
Blue Noon HDRI Light Probe
The image shows the light probe HDRI converted to a low dynamic range image with default exposure. This light probe (converted using the University of Southern California's HDR Shop) is available in low resolution (400x400 px) and high resolution (1600x1600 px).
Test with Shade 8 Professional
Blue Noon HDRI Light Probe Test
This test image has been rendered using e-frontier's Shade 8 Professional (no postwork). There are no lights in the scenes and all lighting comes from the environmental illumination.
License
Feel free to use the images either for commercial or non-commercial work as long as you do not sell/otherwise distribute the HDR images itself (or the ZIP they are contained in). By downloading a zip archive from this page you accept these terms. All versions of the HDR image are provided in radiance (.hdr) format. You will need a program able to read ZIP-files.
Blue Noon HDRI (panorama)
- low resolution (800x400 px): Blue Noon Panoramic Low-Res [434 KB]
- high resolution (3200x1600 px): Blue Noon Panoramic Hi-Res [6.087 KB]
Blue Noon HDRI (probe)
- low resolution (400x400 px): Blue Noon Probe Lo-Res [237 KB]
- high resolution (1600x1600 px): Blue Noon Probe Hi-Res [3.200 KB]