About the Ambience Panel

An ambience helps you create different scenarios around a scenery.

It defines a dome that surrounds your 3D object. A .hdr 360° image is projected on this dome.

This image contains the information for illuminating the scene without placing additional lights, which makes the rendering more realistic and consistent.

This page discusses:

See Also
Getting Started with Ambience Studio

Light Properties

The Light Properties area enables you to customize the lights of an ambience.

The following options are available:

Option Description
Color Adds a color filter to the light.
  • RGB: defines the color model of the light.
  • Temperature: defines the color temperature of the light.
TextureThis option is displayed when the light type is selected.

Click the icon to open the Content Chooser, then click Import a file and select the files to be imported. When the files are listed in the Content Chooser dialog box, select the appropriate files, then right-lick and select Accept: the selected files are displayed in the Texture area.

Note: Multiselection is available to add several files in one step.

For more information, see Using the Content Chooser.

BrightnessVaries the intensity of the light.

By default, the value is 10.

Name Lets you modify the default name.
CompositingLets you specify how the light is painted in the environment lighting map, also called Image-based Lighting (IBL).
  • Additive: light pixel values are added to the IBL pixel values. This lets you design fully transparent lights.

  • Alpha: light pixel values replace the IBL pixel values. This lets you design fully opaque lights as the part of the IBL that is behind the light does not contribute anymore to the global lighting.

Important: The Brightness parameter has the same effect whether you are in Additive or Alpha compositing mode. The light color is defined as Red, Green, and Blue values, which are then multiplied by the brightness to obtain the output High Dynamic Range (HDR) pixel value.

The default is Additive.

Type Defines the light shape.
ShadowsDisplays shadows on the ground for the selected light.

When this option is cleared, the shadow of the corresponding light is not displayed anymore in the 3D but the light itself is still enabled.

Light ON - Shadow ON

Light ON - Shadow OFF

Light OFF (and thus) Shadow OFF

Longitude Modifies the horizontal position of the light.

By default, the value is 0 degrees.

Latitude Modifies the vertical position of the light.

By default, the value is 30 degrees.

Lock/Unlock PositionLets you lock or unlock the light position.

When the position is locked, you cannot move the light in the preview.

By default, the position is locked.
Rotation Enables a rotation of the light.

By default, the value is 0 degrees.

X Size Defines the width of the light.

By default, the value is 3. The higher the value, the wider the light.

Y Size Defines the length of the light.

By default, the value is 3. The higher the value, the longer the light.

Keep RatioKeeps the light size uniformly according to X and Y.
Blur Percentage Defines the percentage of the blur.
Blur Distribution Defines the distribution of the blur.
Blur Colorization Defines a color filter to the blur.

Lighting

The Lighting area lets you customize lighting properties for the current ambience.

Option Description
Source Lets you select the image (in HDR format) used for lighting through the Content Chooser.

By default, the image specified for the lighting is also used for the scene background. This means that the 360° hdr image used to compute the IBL (Image-based Lighting) images is also displayed in the background.

Rotation Lets you define the lighting rotation around the object.

You can either use the slider, or enter the appropriate value in the box on the right.

By default, any modification you make to the lighting rotation is automatically applied to the background image as well.

Inclination Lets you define the angle of inclination about the X and Y axes.
Exposure Lets you define the brightness of the ambience for the lighting image.

By default, any modification you make to the lighting exposure is automatically applied to the background image as well.

Interactive source size Light baking is performed through 2 separate threads on the CPU, each with a different resolution:
  • The first thread generates the new HDR map at a low resolution.
  • The second thread generates the new HDR map at full resolution.

This option lets you specify the resolution for the low-resolution thread that provides the live feedback (for example, when dragging lights in the 2D preview).

The higher the resolution, the longer the computation time.

Important:
  • The resolution you choose is saved in the user preferences but not in the data model.
  • This option is not relevant for Sun & Sky ambiences.

The default resolution is 512 x 256.
Interactive HDRi lights blur Light baking is performed through 2 separate threads on the CPU, each with a different resolution:
  • The first thread generates the new HDR map at a low resolution.
  • The second thread generates the new HDR map at full resolution.

This option lets you specify if the blur of the lights is computed for the low-resolution thread that provides the live feedback (for example, when dragging lights in the 2D preview).

Important:
  • The resolution you choose is saved in the user preferences but not in the data model.
  • When this option is activated, there is a significant impact on the time required to paint the lights, and to refresh the 3D.
  • This option is not relevant for Sun & Sky ambiences.

By default, this option is cleared.

Background

The Background area lets you customize the background of the current ambience.

HDRI Type

The following options are available for the HDRI ambience type.

By default, some options are locked which means that you cannot modify them. In this case, the value applied is the the value defined in the Lighting area. To be able to edit an option independently, click next to it.

Option Description
Map 360 Uses an image as background.

This option is activated by default.
Color background Generates a background from the colors you specify.

You can choose between three modes. For each mode, you can specify the color intensity and, depending on the mode, one or several colors by clicking the color squares to open the color chooser.

For the Gradient and Horizon modes, the list on the right lets you choose the output resolution of the generated background image. By default, the resolution is 2048x1024.

Simple lets you specify a single color.

Gradient lets you specify a top and bottom color.

Horizon lets you specify a top and bottom color for the sky, a top, and bottom color for the ground, and the horizon altitude.

Note: Colored backgrounds cannot be rendered with the iRay engine.
Source Lets you select the image displayed in the background through the Content Chooser.

If you unlock the option, you can select an image different from the image defined in the Lighting area.

Contrary to the lighting image, the background image can be in HDR, JPEG, PNG, BMP, PSD, TIF, TGA, or EXR format.

Rotation Lets you define the background rotation around the object.

You can either use the slider or enter the appropriate value in the box on the right.

If you unlock the option, you can specify a different rotation value for the background image.

Inclination Lets you define the angle of inclination about the X and Y axes.
Exposure Lets you define the brightness of the ambience for the background image.

If you unlock the option, you can specify a different value for the background exposure.

Blur Lets you blur the background. The higher the value, the more blurry the background image.
Blur Off

Blur On

Size
  • Infinite displays the ground texture. It is useful for static pictures.
  • Finite displays a dome around the object.
Radius Lets you resize the dome radius. It is useful for large models or pictures of buildings to fit the background image.
Tip: Specify an estimated value between the center of the sphere and the first object visible in the picture projected on the dome.
Position Lets you define the dome position.

Color/Gradient Type

For the Color/Gradient ambience type, the following options are available. Note that these options vary depending on the type you select (Simple, Gradient, or Horizon):

Option Description
Intensity Defines the saturation.
Color Defines the color of the background.
Top/Bottom Color Available when Gradient is selected. This type applies a graduated color background.

Lets you define a top and bottom color.

Top/Bottom Sky Color Available when Horizon is selected. This type separates the background in two, creating a horizon.

Lets you define a top and bottom sky color.

Top/Bottom Ground Color Available when Horizon is selected.

Lets you define a top and bottom ground color.

Horizon Altitude Available when Horizon is selected.

Lets you modify the horizon altitude.

Sun and Sky

The Sun and Sky tab lets you customize the sun and sky background.

The following options are available:

Option Description
Location selection Select a location on the globe by clicking the point of your choice directly on the map.

The clicked location is identified by a red dot. Latitude and longitude values are updated accordingly as well as the sun position and lighting in the 3D.

Calendar Lets you change the date (month, day, and year).

To do so, click the icon, and then enter your values in the appropriate boxes.

Time Lets you change the time (hour, minutes, and seconds).

To do so, click the icon, and then enter your values in the appropriate boxes.

Tip: Click to revert to the current time.
Time zone Lets you select the appropriate time zone from the list.

If you select Custom, you can define your own values for the Longitude and Latitude parameters.

Longitude Modifies the horizontal position of the light.

This option is available only if Custom is selected for the Time zone.

Latitude Modifies the vertical position of the light.

This option is available only if Custom is selected for the Time zone.

Altitude Defines the height of the horizon.

Ground

The Ground tab lets you tune ground parameters.

The following options are available:

Option Description
Use Ground Displays or hides the ambience ground.
Camera height Defines the origin of the HDR projection to fine-tune the mapping and avoid distortions.
Offset Offsets the ground up or down from the object.
Important: This option is not available for Sun & Sky ambiences.
Reflectivity Adapts the reflectivity from the ground on the object.
Glossiness Adapts the glossiness of the ground.
Note: Glossiness is activated when the Reflectivity value is different from zero.
Set ocean Deactivates the current ground, which is replaced by an ocean ground.



The parameters associated with the current ground are grayed and the Ocean area lets you choose between three different types of oceans.

  • If you choose Finite for the background of the current ambience, then the ocean ground is scaled to fit the dome size.
  • If you choose Infinite for the background of the current ambience, this displays the ocean at a 1:1 ratio in the 3D.

Important: Ocean grounds are available for HDRi ambiences only.

Additional properties are also available for the Sun and Sky type:

Option Description
Color Select Automatic to use the default color (which cannot be customized), or Customize to tune the background color through the Hue option.
Hue Available when Customize is selected for the Color option.

This option lets you define the background color through the color chooser. See Using the Color Chooser.

Viewpoint - General

The General area lets you edit some general viewpoint parameters.

The following options are available:

Option Description
Focal LengthDefines the distance (in millimeters) between the camera origin and the convergence plane.
Near ClipDefines the distant from which objects are visible.
Far ClipDefines the distance from which objects are no longer visible.
PositionThe position of the viewpoint’s origin. It is relative to the ambience position. This means that if the ambience position is modified, the viewpoint’s position in the 3D area is modified as well (the viewpoint follows the ambience). However, its values are not modified.
TargetThe direction in which you are looking in the 3D area. It is relative to the ambience position. This means that if the ambience position is modified, the viewpoint’s target in the 3D area is modified as well (the viewpoint follows the ambience), but its values are not modified.

Viewpoint - Backplate

The Backplate area lets you add a fixed image that gives sharper results to the ambience. The backplate does not affect the lighting, nor the reflections.

The following options are available only if there is a viewpoint associated with the ambience, and if you have defined a backplate.

Option Description
Suggested Backplates Displays a suggestion of backplates for the current ambience.

Click a thumbnail to apply it.
Image Lets you browse your files to select an image for the backplate.
Blur Lets you blur the backplate of the current ambience.
Blur Off

Blur On

The higher the value, the more blurry the backplate.
Size Scaling The default backplate size is Best Fit, but you can change it to Fit Height or Fit Width.
Dome Visibility Click the box, and then use the slider to define how the transparency level for the backplate.
Automatic lighting Lets you build a 360° HDR map from a simple image that is either a backplate preset, or an image in a user collection.

To do so, click the icon next to Automatic lighting. A mirrored image of the backplate is generated and the rotation is automatically defined so that the map is aligned with the backplate.

When you access the General tab, the Source box in the Lighting area shows the name of the image that has been specified as the lighting image for the ambiance. The default name is LightingReconstructedFromBackplaten.hdr (n is incremented for each new lighting image).