If you're a 3D designer searching for HDRi Maps or Environments, there are a lot of great options for free downloads.
Sites like Textures.com and Polyhaven offer HDRi Maps for free, and here at CGI.Backgrounds we have a Free plan that lets you download our premium HDRs for non-commercial purposes.
But what if you're working on a larger commercial ad campaign, an automotive ad, an architectural visualization, or a project for a sensitive industry ?
In that case, you'll probably want to buy an HDRI Map or Environment so that you have the proper license to use it commercially.
Here's a look at what 3D designers need to consider when buying HDRI environments.
Can I use a free HDRI commercially?
Again, free HDRis are great resources for some kinds of uses. If you're preparing an architectural pitch for a client and you just need the background to provide a simple function like window fills or basic lighting, a free HDRI map might do the trick.
Likewise, if you’re a hobbyist or student, free HDRi Maps can help you practice your skills without spending a lot.
For more complex commercial uses, though, things get a bit trickier. Although many free HDRi map websites say that you can use their images commercially, it can be hard to verify who actually uploaded the HDRi map to the website.
Many of these free maps are also shot by amateur photographers. Again, that can be fine for certain use cases. But for a high-end campaign or commercial, you want to ensure that your HDRi environment was shot by a professional photographer.
Metadata accuracy is also a big deal when you're using an HDRi Map commercially. Some free HDRi maps have great metadata, but a lot of the time photographers would (understandably) rather be out shooting more content than tagging their images with hundreds of keywords!
For that reason, it can often be hard to find great metadata describing free HDRi maps. That can make it hard to locate the right map for your project or to know if the HDRi map is described accurately.
Overall, it can sometimes be possible to use a free HDRI commercially, but it does come with some additional risks and challenges that 3D designers should keep in mind.
How to Buy or License an HDRi Map or Environment
If you have a bit more budget and want to ensure that the HDRi Environment you're using in a big project was shot by a professional photographer and has clear rights and metadata, you'll likely want to buy an HDRi map for commercial use.
One solution is to turn to a traditional stock media licensing agency like Getty Images or Adobe. These agencies do have equirectangular panoramas and other HDRi imagery in their collections.
In some cases, though, these images are just 360° photographs and don't have the Image Based Lighting (IBL) data that's present in an HDRi for 3D rendering.
That makes them fine for visualizing a location but challenging to use for lighting a scene in Blender or another rendering software.
A better solution is often to turn to a dedicated agency or stock photo platform for HDRi environments.
If you need a professionally shot HDRi Map or Environment, there are several dedicated stock photo sites and agencies that can help you.
CGI.Backgrounds
We’re a little biased, of course, but after more than 18 years in the CGI industry, we know that we have one of the best offerings out there for premium HDRi Maps and Environments.
All of our HDRi maps are shot by professional photographers and come with complete and accurate metadata. They’re also shot to the highest current technical standards, with full lighting data for image-based lighting.
Our premium HDRI Maps can be an investment, but we now offer subscription plans that allow commercial use for smaller design shops or freelancers.
If you’re an Enterprise user, we can work with you to find the perfect HDRi environment for a large commercial production, or even for productions in sensitive industries like the defense industry.
HDRmaps.com
HDRmaps.com is another good option for buying HDRi maps and environments. Although we can’t specifically vouch for the quality of their content, we know many people in the industry use them.
They offer larger sets of HDRI maps that you can purchase as a single package. If you need to use a lot of maps or environments for a given project, that can be a good and economical option.
Greyscale Gorilla
Greyscale Gorilla has collections of curated HDRi maps environments that you can buy and download. Their collection is especially strong on interiors and HDRi studio shots. This can be great for product photography and other specialized use cases.
Factors to Keep in Mind When Selecting an HDRI Map to Buy
There are several factors you should keep in mind as a 3D designer selecting a commercial HDRi map . You’re investing your hard-earned budget in this, after all, so you want to make sure you get a good ROI.
Firstly, check the HDRi map to ensure that it has been shot professionally. There should be no stitching lines, the resolution should be 2K or higher, and you shouldn’t see any artifacts in the image, such as the tripod on which the photographer’s camera was installed.
Secondly, check the license or rights statement from the marketplace from which you’re buying the HDRi Map. The license should clearly spell out that you can use the HDRi Map for commercial purposes.
Lastly, check to make sure that the HDRi Map has accurate data for image-based lighting. This information is usually captured by the photographer when they create the HDRi Map in a real-world location.
If it’s not done properly, your HDRi Map may be a little more than a pretty visual, with no lighting data included. You’ll want to check with the marketplace that you’re purchasing from to make sure that accurate IBL data is included in the HDRi Map. (Here at CGI Backgrounds, all of our premium HDRi Maps have IBL data.)
Technical Details of Our HDRi Maps
One thing we do with our RAY.HDRi maps here at CGI.Backgrounds is to ensure that the maps are calibrated. That’s something you won’t find from HDRi Maps sold at a traditional stock photo agency.
For reference, here are the calibration details for our HDRi Maps.
RAY.HDRi Maps
- A calibrated HDRi Map to 160 RGB values on a Neutral 65 GreyMcBeth colorchart
- Calibrate the combination Environment light and Directional light in reading the information from the highest intensity of the directional light. 180° reflection on the virtual chart.
HDRi Maps
- HDRi Maps have the same Calibration and look as RAY.HDRi Maps, but have a caped directional light. This allows you to add your own directional light in your 3D Application.
Tone-Mapped HDRi Map
- A tone-mapped version of the original HDRi Map, allowing the HDRi Map to deliver the look and feel of a Backplate
- Use for visual 360 background and use either RAY.HDRi Map or HDRi Map for lighting, reflection
- 8 Bit Tif format can be converted to 32-bit HDRi when needed, depending on the 3D application. Some 3D applications do not allow TIF formats to be used as cube-map projections.
Conclusion
Free HDRi maps can be a great resource when you’re experimenting with concepts, developing an unpaid pitch for a client, or using an HDRi Map for lighting or simple tasks like window fills in a bigger project. They can also be great for students and 3D hobbyists.
For high-value campaigns or campaigns in sensitive industries, however, you want to find an HDRi Map or Environment that you can license and that meets current technical standards.
Specifically, when you buy an HDRi Map, it should include:
- Clear rights, including the right to use the map commercially.
- Professionally shot, high-resolution imagery (2K at a minimum, but ideally much higher)
- Data required for Image-Based Lighting
Yes, making these purchases can involve an investment, but for the absolute best results for your client or project, sometimes buying an HDRi map or environment is the best solution.
Need help selecting an HDRi map for your next campaign? Feel free to reach out to us and we’re happy to help.
