Hi, I have been working with HDRI images(.hdr) for a project but I always end up getting diffuse lighting.Any idea how to get a 12 noon lighting with crisp shadows from the key light...Please help I am desperate..
in my experience... i find it best to set up all my lights with first... to lay out the shadows and specs the way that is most pleasing to me.
then to go back and layer in the FG. If you attach the output of the HDRI texture to a blend colours (colours means colors) node with whatever else as colour two... and add in more influence from the FG as i decrease the value and diffuse of my shaders to accomodate for the diffuse lighting effect.
In the end the tools for creating and directing light that shaders and light shaders provide is much more predictable than a well placed texture. Not only, but a maya area light or MR area light can be resampled a larger number of times (to soften shadows) than a global FG setting... with a chance to set an ambient colour independent from the 'key light' which casts shadows and drives speculars.
r.
Thanks Buddy.. That was of great help..