HDRI Images

This is a very simple procedure that can add a much more detailed look to a render.

Ok, first things first, the obvious, open Cinema.

Ok now lets prepare our scene. First create a floor object (Object > Scene > Floor).

Now create a sphere (Objects > Primitive > Sphere). With the sphere selected, in the Position Manager, set the Position Y to 100

Now create a Sky (Objects > Scene > Sky).

Ok that's all for the objects, now lets make some Materials.

First we need to download an HDRI image, I use hdrimaps.com, if you search google, I'm sure you'll find some different ones.

Ok, now the materials. First the Sky

In the Material Manager select File > New Material. Now Right Click, or CMD-Click in my case, and select Rename. Rename the material to Sky. Next double click on the new material to open a window that contains its properties.

In the newly open menu, make sure you're on the Color tab and click the button with 3 dots (...) in the Texture Field.

This will open a file dialog. Chose the HDRI image you want to use.

Now for a reflective material for the sphere. Again in the Material Manager, this time go to File > Shader > Danel. We can just leave the default settings for this.

Now click and drag the Sky Material onto the Sky Object in the Object Manager. Do the same with the Danel Material, only onto the Sphere Object. Your Object Manager should look something like this:

That's actually it, now when you render your Sphere will reflect the HDRI image. I advice adding a Light Object (Objects > Scene > Light). Just move the Light around until your happy.

Here's an example or an image with, and without HDRI images:

with

without