Hi, I am trying to add a robot cat to real footage that I shot outdoors in the woods, when there was bright overcast day. The particular shot wasn’t very near trees, and it was quite bright.
It is a filmmaking project, so what I need is best possible movie queue render.
I thought I could use an HDRI of a park, but I am finding that this approach is resulting in a skylight that does not act the way I need.
So, some questions:
Since I don’t want an HDRI backdrop visible, does it even make sense to use an HDRI? If it is sensible approach, how on earth to make the HDRI just act as light source and not have its backdrop visible?
If Answer to 1 is no, what would be best way to ensure strong diffuse mainly non directional light?
is screenshot (this doesn’t show my footage - it is the HDRI backdrop):
Notice how there is a lot of shadowing. I am trying to get far less shadowing, and have the cat well lit, as would be the case on a very bright overcast day.
Try putting the hrdi in the skylight ( there is an option ), then it will use that as a light signature, and you won’t need it actually loaded in the map.
Hi, ok, you mean don’t use HDRIBackdrop actor, but just use default skylight and load the HDRI. Will try that. Thanks!
That said, the robot cat has reflective metal, so would be good for the HDRI to impart an effect (reflections, light), just that I can’t figure out how to have the HDRI backdrop impart its influence but not render. Ideas?
Skylights are used for lighting and reflections, make sure to uncheck lower hemisphere is solid color if that is enabled. It should be the only light you need in a scene.
Also note HDRIs in UE are not a replacement for a directional light, small intense parts on a HDRI will not behave like an offline render or path tracer, shouldn’t be an issue for this case, but something to be aware of.
