Skydome versus low res HDRI and Exposure Settings

[policarpo]

hey gang, been awhile, but i noticed a couple of questions about skydomes and reflection maps and what not.

i decided to elaborate a little bit more on the subject via a quick overview.

went ahead and provided a comparison sequence between the skydome technique and the low res HDRI hack i am so fond of...plus some ramblings on the subject.

i know it's old news, but hey...i thought it might help a person or two. :)

let me know if this works out for some of you and what you'd like to see changed or tweaked.

I am here to please. :)

Skydome versus Low Res HDRI (http://www.policarpo.us/tutorials/downtown/compare.htm)

[policarpo]

i changed out the image of the ball for something a little more whimsical.

i didn't turn on AA cause i just wanted to get the idea across to everyone.

cheers.

updated (http://www.policarpo.us/tutorials/downtown/compare.htm)

[toby]

thanks poli, that's cool - but I don't understand the black/white point thing, can you explain so I might get similar results?

[toby]

I think I get it, it's like the 'output levels' in Photoshop?

[murdoch]

but I don't understand the black/white point thing

load up an HDR image then > processing > add filter > HDR exposure. mess about with the settings there. you get a rough idea from the image icon display as to what they're doing. it is a bit like the output levels in photoshop, clips or amplifies the range.