HDRLabs - sIBL_GUI 3

[Kel Solaar]

I know some of you are using it around here :) so here is the announcement I posted earlier on another CG hub :

HDRLabs, Christian and me are pleased to announce that sIBL_GUI 3 is officially released !

The application has been fully rewritten, and features some cool things :

- Component Framework : The Software is now component based, meaning you can extend the functionalities of sIBL_GUI easily and tweak or modify directly the provided components.

- Customizable Ui Layout : Most of the Ui Components are movable, closable and resizable, meaning that you can put them wherever you want in the interface and store / restore the layouts.

- Sqlite Database : Sets, Templates and Collections informations are stored in a database, it's now easier to organise your Collections the way you want without having to move your files around everywhere on the hard drive. You can add Sets one by one if you want.

- Google Map based Gps Map : The Gps Map is now Google Map based, no need for an explanation, it's much better :)

- Search Database : The search engine offers new possibilities, you can now search in a range of time, to get all Sunset Ibls for example.

etc... :)

sIBL_GUI - Sets Centric Layout
http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_SetsCentricLayout.jpg

sIBL_GUI - Templates Centric Layout
http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_TemplatesCentricLayout.jpg

sIBL_GUI - Preferences Centric Layout
http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_PreferencesCentricLayout.jpg


Autodesk Packages received brand new Helper Scripts to help integrating sIBL_GUI smoothly within 3dsMax, Softimage and Maya :

Autodesk Softimage And XSI - Helper Script

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/XSI/sIBL_GUI_For_XSI/Helper_Script/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_For_XSI_Preferences.jpg

sIBL_GUI_For_XSI - Helper Script : sIBL_GUI_For_XSI (http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/XSI/sIBL_GUI_For_XSI/Helper_Script/Releases/Stable)


Autodesk Maya - Helper Script

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/Maya/Helper_Script/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_For_Maya_Preferences.jpg

sIBL_GUI For Maya - Helper Script : sIBL_GUI For Maya (http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/Maya/Helper_Script/Releases/Stable)


Autodesk 3dsMax - Helper Script

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/3dsMax/Helper_Script/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_For_3dsMax_Preferences.jpg

sIBL_GUI For 3dsMax - Helper Script : sIBL_GUI For 3dsMax (http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/3dsMax/Helper_Script/Releases/Stable)

The other good news is that I'm supporting myself 3dsMax Templates, meaning that there are now two new Templates : one for VRay and one for Mental Ray with some cool features :

- Viewport Visual Feedback that can be oriented.
- Support for SmartIBL 2.0 format extra lights.
- Hierarchical scene setup.

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_For_3dsMax_VisualFeedback.png

Here are the download links :

sIBL_GUI 3 :

Windows (http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Repository/Builds/Windows/Stable)
Linux (http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Repository/Builds/Linux/Stable)
Mac Os X (http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Repository/Builds/Darwin/Stable)


* * * Critical Notice : Installing sIBL_GUI 3 over a previous sIBL_GUI 2 installation will corrupt sIBL_GUI 3 Database ! * * *

Here is the related developpement thread : http://www.hdrlabs.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1271609371/

And HDRLabs Website Url : http://www.hdrlabs.com/

Have Fun Rendering !

Thomas

[collings]

thanks a lot for posting this here man, i'm going to try it asap :bouncy:

[PascalR]

Same here, this looks awesome, thanks for sharing:beerchug:

[Kel Solaar]

Thanks Guys !

Christian uploaded two screencasts on HDRLabs Vimeo Channel :

sIBL GUI - In Depth : It's an In-Depth review showing most of the functionalities of the application.

sIBL GUI - Quick Start : That's a Quick Start screencast showing from the start to the render a quick session under Maya.

Same here, this looks awesome, thanks for sharing:beerchug:
I'm new on this board and just realised you were the forum founder :)
I worked a lot of time with Richard and Laurent "NZO" at Mikros on "Ne te retourne pas". Glad and happy to see you !

KS

[tonytrout]

Saw this on that other CG hub and downloaded it, I now at least have a some nicely organised hdrs and viewer, and when Im not so busy I will add the rest of those oddsod hdrs that I have dloaded and can never find when I need a particular environ. Havent quite got round to doing any renders with the image sets generated (too damn busy) but I have played around with the software. Thanks again for this its brilliant, in fact the whole site is incredibly interesting. I have been making some bracketed shots with my wifes flash SLR and stitching them together, but like a lot of areas in CG dont have the time to delve much deeper hehe.

edit: The reason for trying to do my own hdrs is because you can never find the environ you really want, the free ones on the web always seem to be somones grotty kitchen or landscapes/cityscapes that bear no resemblance to whats around here

[PascalR]

I'm new on this board and just realised you were the forum founder :)
I worked a lot of time with Richard and Laurent "NZO" at Mikros on "Ne te retourne pas". Glad and happy to see you !

KS

Ah excellent :) Je transmettrai a Richard qui est aussi sur le forum biensur, ainsi qu'NZO.

Wonderful work guys, very impressive:notWorthy:

[BrettSinclair]

Awesome. Works great in maya 2011 with mental ray. Thanks for this:notWorthy:

I've been getting into creating my own hdri's and wonder how difficult it is too set up one so that I can include it in this gui for easier access and set up?

I see you have rayswitchnodes and mipshadows which is great. Do you create a scene for each hdri on its own or is it some fancy script you run?

Thanks again :)

[Kel Solaar]

Thanks again for this its brilliant, in fact the whole site is incredibly interesting. I have been making some bracketed shots with my wifes flash SLR and stitching them together, but like a lot of areas in CG dont have the time to delve much deeper hehe.

edit: The reason for trying to do my own hdrs is because you can never find the environ you really want, the free ones on the web always seem to be somones grotty kitchen or landscapes/cityscapes that bear no resemblance to whats around here

Hehe, yeah Christian is doing a nice job maintaining HDRLabs :) He is also offering some really nice Ibl Sets, Bob Groothuis has also some excellent hdri skies.

Ah excellent :) Je transmettrai a Richard qui est aussi sur le forum biensur, ainsi qu'NZO.

Wonderful work guys, very impressive:notWorthy:

Ahhh yes :) Carrément çà me ferai bien plaisir !


Awesome. Works great in maya 2011 with mental ray. Thanks for this:notWorthy:

I've been getting into creating my own hdri's and wonder how difficult it is too set up one so that I can include it in this gui for easier access and set up?

Creating your own Ibl Sets is fairly easy and is done with sIBL-Edit, the app is providing some nice automation to do that : http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/sibl-edit.html

I see you have rayswitchnodes and mipshadows which is great. Do you create a scene for each hdri on its own or is it some fancy script you run?

Thanks again :)

Yeah it's done by scripting :) sIBL_GUI takes a template ( It's basically a script file with a special header providing some variables hooks ), an ibl set, its glues both together and send the result ( a loader script ) to the target 3d package.

KS

[BrettSinclair]

Oh Mad, Thanks for the links :D

[jack_sparow]

wow, je vois que tu as entierement recoder le plugin, bravo comme toujours, mais ou trouves tu le temps de faire tout ça en bossant et en etant sur eve online?:notWorthy:

respect. and congrats.

[Kel Solaar]

Hey Ju :)

No in fact I'm not playing at Eve currently :) Though of course I'm still login in from time to time to change my characters training :D

KS

[ZippZopp]

awesome, thanks for the videos as well. this is such a great tool to have! thanks for sharing

[El Burritoh]

Thanks for working so hard on this. I've used it in the past and it's awesome!

I'm having trouble implementing it for XSI 2011. After I opt to "Output Loader Script" with the Softimage MR Std 1.0.2 option, "Send to Software" prompts the following error:

LoaderScript | Remote Connection Error : '[Errno 10061] No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it' !

Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

[Kel Solaar]

CGFeedBack : Thanks for the Plug :)

ZippZopp : Thanks :)

Thanks for working so hard on this. I've used it in the past and it's awesome!

I'm having trouble implementing it for XSI 2011. After I opt to "Output Loader Script" with the Softimage MR Std 1.0.2 option, "Send to Software" prompts the following error:

LoaderScript | Remote Connection Error : '[Errno 10061] No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it' !

Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

Did you installed the sIBL_GUI_XSI_Server Addon ?

It's needed to open a socket connection into XSI :

http://files.myopera.com/KelSolaar/blog/CG/sIBL_Framework/Posts/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_XSI_Server.jpg

sIBL_GUI_XSI_Server Addon ( Windows Only ):

Nightly (http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/XSI/sIBL_GUI_XSI_Server/Nightly)
Stable (http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/XSI/sIBL_GUI_XSI_Server/Stable)
Archives (http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/XSI/sIBL_GUI_XSI_Server/Archives)

[El Burritoh]

Doh! I missed the server addon! Thank you!

Is there one for 2011? The latest one I see is compiled for 2010 and is giving me a compatibility error with 2011.

Hey, I'll just post about this on the HDR Labs forum. This is not your support forum, sorry!


:notWorthy:

[Kel Solaar]

Doh! I missed the server addon! Thank you!

Is there one for 2011? The latest one I see is compiled for 2010 and is giving me a compatibility error with 2011.

Hey, I'll just post about this on the HDR Labs forum. This is not your support forum, sorry!

:notWorthy:

Nah it's ok, it's my fault, I have changed our repository directory structure for sIBL_GUI 3 and I forgot to update the links for the XSI Server. Try the Stable link of my previous post :)

KS

[Kel Solaar]

Hi,

I just released sIBL_GUI 3.0.6 !

I fixed most of the issues people were encountering with sIBL_GUI 3.0.5 initial release.

The features highlights of this version are :


FreeImage C/C++ imaging library bind : sIBL_GUI now support a lot more image formats.
Threaded Ibl Sets / Templates continous scanners.
sIBL_GUI layout is now stored and restored on application start and exit.


http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_Image_File_Formats.jpg

Some of the Templates were also modified / fixed / improved :

Autodesk 3dsMax - Templates :

Renderer settings are preserved.
Fixed Bug with VRay Dynamic Lights function.
Prevented "White Sphere Syndrome" with Hardware Shading.
VRay has now a "Shadow Catching Ground", though the feature is not on by default because it's currently blocking bottom Ibl lighting.


Autodesk Maya - Templates :

Fixed a Mental Ray template issue when a camera is parented under "sIBL" group.


I also spotted a strange behavior on Windows 7 :
I don't really know what I did, but the other day I installed Softimage 2011 - x64, Visual C# 2010, tweaked a few security settings on my Windows 7 ( Uac, etc ) and since then, if I don't launch sIBL_GUI as Administrator, the application is really slow to startup.
I tried to figure out what was the change, but didn't really managed.

KS

[tonytrout]

Thanks Kel, :thumbsup: do you need to uninstall the previous version?

[Kel Solaar]

Thanks Kel, :thumbsup: do you need to uninstall the previous version?

Nope, it's not needed, though it's advised to delete Settings file (sIBL_Settings.rc) in the preferences folder, if you have done some custom layouts, you may backup it, and merge them into the new file.

KS

[tonytrout]

Thanks for the info, all loaded.:thumbsup:

[Kel Solaar]

Hello there :)

sIBL_GUI 3.0.7 is out with some enhancements and bug fixes :)

Some interesting features of this release are new command line parameters.
I also modified the way I was accessing to the db with multiple threads, it should bring more stability.

Here is the complete change log :

sIBL_GUI - 3.0.7 :


Standard Output and Standard Errors messages are redirected to the Logging Window.
sIBL_GUI creates one session per thread for SQLite database access thus increasing application stability.
Thumbnails size preference is restored on application start.
Each component has its own section in the preferences file, resulting in a better and stronger file structure. ( You will will need to reconfigure components preferences ).
Session geometry is always restored on application start ignoring the state of the "Restore Geometry On Layout Change" preferences option.
Fixed "setsScanner" component regular expressions, it can now process paths with non alphanumerical characters ( "C:/Program Files (x86)/" ).
Fixed walkers arguments regular expressions so that they search for correct files extensions.
Added "-o / --loaderScriptsOutputDirectory" command line parameter allowing user to specify loader scripts output directory.
Added "-r / --databaseReadOnly" command line parameter that disable database edition methods.
Added "-d / --databaseDirectory" command line parameter allowing user to specify the database directory.
Added "-u / --userApplicationDatasDirectory" command line parameter allowing user to specify application datas directory ( Preferences directory ).


I started a FAQ that I'll finish a bit later this weekend so that it features last remaining important informations here : http://www.hdrlabs.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1271612491

KS

[tonytrout]

I just bought a copy of Christian Blochs HDRI handbook to learn a bit more

[Kel Solaar]

I just bought a copy of Christian Blochs HDRI handbook to learn a bit more

:) Don't hesitate if you have questions, or whatever !

by the way, I totally forgot but I released the 3.0.8 this week end :

It is mostly a maintenance one, the application should not crash anymore when loading corrupted Ibl Sets or Templates.

sIBL_GUI is now natively built on Windows 7, I think it fixes the slowdown issues on startup : I didn't got any since this new build method.

I also implemented dragNdrop in the three major database components, meaning that you can directly drag Folders, Templates and Ibls Sets into the application : This is really cool :D

Here is the full Change Log :

sIBL_GUI - 3.0.8 :


sIBL_GUI For Windows now is natively built on Windows 7, this should fix the slow startup issues reported on Windows Vista / 7.
Implemented dragNdrop in various components ( Network paths are currently not supported on Windows Vista / 7 ) :
Database Browser Component : You can dragNdrop Ibl Sets folders or Ibl Sets files directly from the Os.
Collections Outliner Component : You can also dragNdrop folders or Ibl Sets files directly from the Os.
Templates Outliner Component : You can dragNdrop Templates folders or Templates files directly from the Os.
Made the code stronger when sIBL_GUI deals with corrupted Ibl / Templates Files.
Refactored portions of the exceptions handling code.


Have Fun o/

KS

[Kel Solaar]

Hi,

Both Maya VRay Templates were updated with support for Shadow Catching Ground and VRaySun light ( it will be used by defaut for the sun now, giving nice shadowing and colors ).

I have some issues though with the ground, there are GI artifacts when the ground is told to receive GI. Notice that I'm encountering also kind of compositing problem ( Check around the sphere on the example rendering ). If someone have a workaround I would be more than happy :)

Here is a render after 2 minutes shadow color / brightness tweak :

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/Maya/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_VRay_ShadowCatchingGroundShader.jpg

Have Fun !

KS

[Kel Solaar]

Hi,

3dsMax VRay and Mental Ray have been merged / refactored with JHaywood code ( Thanks Open Source developement ).
Now Mental Ray has its Shadow Catching Ground. I took the opportunity to add mrSun light support, meaning you'll get nice natural shadows.

Notice that you don't need to edit the production_max.mi anymore with 3dsMax 2011

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Softwares/3dsMax/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_For_3dsMax_MentalRayShadowCatcher.jpg

Have Fun !

KS

[Rink]

Hello tom,
Vraiment super pratique ce gestionnaire HDr..:thumbsup:
Mais pense-tu qu'un jour il sera développé pour Vrayc4d?

[Kel Solaar]

Hello tom,
Vraiment super pratique ce gestionnaire HDr..:thumbsup:
Mais pense-tu qu'un jour il sera développé pour Vrayc4d?

Hello :)

C4D is directly supported through a plugin recently developped by Steve Pedler. I had plans to support C4D with some sIBL_GUI last year, but never got the time. Steve came and did his Loader Script. It currently only support C4D native engine, though you could ask him to implement / add VRay support !

http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/loader.html

KS

[Kel Solaar]

Hello :)

I'm pleased to announce that sIBL_GUI 3.0.9 is released !

This version features an Internal Image Previewer ( Thanks to a lot of time spend optimizing Third Party Image format reading with FreeImage Library ).

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_ImagePreviewer_02.jpg

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_ImagePreviewer_01.jpg

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_DatabaseBrowserContextMenu.jpg

Internal Image Previewer also means External Image Previewer or Editor : You can link whatever Image Viewer or Editor into the Preferences :

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_Preview.jpg

And that's where the magic happens linking together the HDRLabs Softwares family : you can launch Picturenaut to Preview and / or Edit your Ibl HDR files directly from sIBL_GUI :

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_Picturenaut.jpg

It's now possible to edit Ibl Sets names directly from the Database Browser by double clicking them.
I also cleaned the code here and there, fixed some errors, a potential crash while dragging a huge amount of Ibl Sets from a Collection to another and some crashes on application exit.

Maya Templates have been reworked to preserve existing scene sIBL setup transformations ( sIBL_Feedback and sIBL_Ground ). The default sIBL_Feedback radius has been reduced, and the sIBL_Ground is now properly fitted to the sIBL_Feedback.

XSI / Softimage Templates received the same code changes regarding the sIBL_Feedback radius and the sIBL_Ground size.

Here is the full Change Log :

sIBL_GUI - 3.0.9 :

sIBL_GUI has now an Internal Image Previewer : You can quickly check your Ibl Sets images by right-clicking the Database Browser and use one of the new "Preview ..." context menu entry. It's also possible to use an External Viewer / Editor by assigning it in the Preferences. Picturenaut is obviously the way to go : "http://www.hdrlabs.com/picturenaut/index.html":http://www.hdrlabs.com/picturenaut/index.html
Refactored the way Third Party Images formats are loaded by using direct memory access and custom FreeImage library build : Third Party Images loading is now 10 to 20 times faster.*
Implemented Ibl Sets database display name edition : Double click an Ibl Set in the Database Browser to edit it's display name.*
"--databaseReadOnly" command line parameter properly disable Database Browser, Collections Outliner and Templates Outliner components dragNdrop capabilities and Collections Outliner component editing capabilities.
Fixed a code regression preventing "Templates Informations" widget display.*
Fixed a potential application crash when dragging multiples Ibl Sets from a Collection to another on Mac Os X.*
Worker Threads are properly terminated on application exit.*
Switched Darwin Installer to DropDmg application : Dmg icons are laid out correctly now.


Have Fun !

KS

[Kel Solaar]

Hi !

Seven months and more than one hundred commits later the new sIBL_GUI release is born : sIBL_GUI 3.1.0. This is a long due maintenance release, nothing much visible in surface except for the Google Maps that have been replaced by Bing Maps ( Because of a breaking issue with latest Google Maps Api and Qt ). However a lot has been changed and improved under the hood, it should fix some of the remaining issues.

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_3.1.0.jpg

Here is the complete Change Log :

sIBL_GUI - 3.1.0 :

sIBL_GUI now uses Python 2.7.1, allowing usage of OrderedDict, Templates attributes are now displayed in correct order.
Replaced Google Maps by Bing Maps : Google Maps support is broken at the moment on Qt Webkit.
Added "--noSplashScreen" command line parameter allowing user to deactivate the splashscreen.
Added support for Templates enums : "lightType = @lightType | Area;Directional;Spot | Enum | Light Type".
Fixed an inconsistency related to the comments in the file parser.
Help files stored on network are now properly opened on Windows.
Modified Ibl Sets now refresh properly within the current session.
Added a new fancy splashscreen image thanks to Bob Groothuis.
Updated Windows icon.
Lots of code refactoring and updates.


Have fun and don't hesitate to contact me if you have issues, problems, etc :)

KS

[Infinite]

Well done Kel! you are relentless man!!! :bouncy:

I will test drive this soon. Big thanks for you hard work on it.

[tonytrout]

+1 , great effort Kel clap

[Kel Solaar]

Lee and Tony : thank you guys :)

I just release a new build ( 3.1.1 ) because I noticed some regressions and an user reported me another critical one on HDRLabs. Here is the Change Log :

sIBL_GUI - 3.1.1 :

Fixed "Add Content" broken context menu entry of "Collection Outliner" component.
Fixed a code regression preventing export of Ibl Sets with comments.


I hope there isn't anything left broken :]

KS

[Kel Solaar]

Hi !

sIBL_GUI 3.1.2 is out !

The "Search Database" component has been reworked and features now a new "In Tags Cloud" search option and a new button to clear up started searchs : http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Videos/Search_Database.swf

Complete Change Log :

sIBL_GUI - 3.1.2 :

Fixed issues with the “Search Database” component and empty Ibl Set attributes.
Added new “In Tags Cloud” option to the “Search Database” component. It’s now possible to search for multiples keywords in any order either by typing them in the “Search Database” widget or select them in the “Tags Cloud” widget.
“Search Database” widget now has a button to clear the current search.
Implement units tests on sIBL_GUI foundations and manager packages.
Extracted multiple packages to new repositories for better code reusability.


Cheers !

KS

[Infinite]

Well done on the hard work to implement this cool Tag feature Kel. Will test later today!

:thumbsup:

[Kel Solaar]

Thank you Lee ! :)


And I'm happy to say that sIBL_GUI 3.1.3 is out !

This is an update that I hope will pleased a lot of people : Lights type support is implemented in the Templates ! That mean that one can choose if the lights created by sIBL_GUI will be "Area", "Directional", "Point", "Spot", etc ...

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_Light_Types_Support.jpg

Here is a screencast to illustrate this : http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Videos/Light_Types_Support.swf

Depending the feedback I receive I may update some defaults ( Increase area lights size or sampling, etc ...)

* * * Important Notice * * *
"sIBL_GUI 3.1.2" Windows building file presented some issues resulting in an incorrect "templates" directory hierarchy and presence of non related files in the build. It's advised to either uninstall it or remove the installation "templates" directory content before updating.

Complete Change Log :

sIBL_GUI - 3.1.3 :

Templates have now options to define different light types : "Area", "Directional", "Point", "Spot", etc ...
"Search Database" component "In Tags Cloud" method is now case sensitive.
Fixed a remaining issue in "Search Database" component and empty Ibl Set attributes in the "In Tags Cloud" method.
Fix Windows building file to prevent incorrect "templates" folder hierarchy.


Enjoy !

KS

[Infinite]

Sweet! Well done Kel. You need a Max Vray guru to help test it!??!

[Kel Solaar]

Hi CGFeedback,

sIBL_GUI 3.5.0 is out!

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/sIBL_GUI_3.5.0.jpg

I'm happy to introduce sIBL_GUI - Lightsmith. It's a new extension that allows you to integrate quickly textured lights into your scene.

Here is a vimeo teaser: http://vimeo.com/20879389

The Lightsmith IBL Sets are available here for now until we find a proper location with Christian: http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/?dir=./sIBL_GUI/Repository/Sets/Lightsmith

The SoftBox A and Umbrella A Lightsmith IBL Sets are provided thanks to Oliver Wolfson: http://oliverwolfson.com/

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/Lightsmith_Overall_HD720.jpg

Depending the renderer the lights will feature more or less options.
Arnold and VRay ones can be textured for instance with good results.
They can connect onto sIBL lights also, and will plug onto them.
Depending the requests etc, I'll certainly refine the light rig, etc...
The templates are released as nightly / beta versions, and will most likely evolve in the future. They should be fairly stable, but lack of warnings, explanation, etc...

For now only Maya with Mental Ray / VRay and XSI with Arnold / Mental Ray are supported. 3dsmax support will come later.

Some development renders done with Arnold:

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/Welder_HDR_Lights_001.jpg

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/Welder_HDR_Lights_002.jpg

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/Docahedron_001.jpg

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/Docahedron_002.jpg

http://kelsolaar.hdrlabs.com/sIBL_GUI/Support/Pictures/Docahedron_003.jpg

Notice that this sIBL_GUI version and it's associated templates is not compatible with previous builds. I also dropped Illuminate Labs Turtle Renderer support since it's not developed anymore.

And the Complete Change Log:

sIBL_GUI - 3.5.0 :

Implemented support for "Lightsmith Lights"
Most of the Templates have been refactored at different level.
Fixed an issue where Ibl Sets were displayed multiple times in the "Database Browser" component.
Dropped support of Illuminate Labs Turtle Renderer.


I'll make a post in the finished section also, this one is more the usual development speech :]

Enjoy !

KS

[BrettSinclair]

You sir, are a saint:). This looks amazing, Thank you.

[Kel Solaar]

Thank you Sir! I just made the Arnold templates available on SItoA btw :)

And opened a more fitted thread in the Finished Section : http://www.cgfeedback.com/cgfeedback/showthread.php?t=1330

Cheers,

Thomas

[ZippZopp]

marvelous! looking fantastic, thanks so much for your work on this!

[tonytrout]

Hi Kel, just a question around the specular highlights, I can see a spec highlight in the umbrella reflection in pic 2, but I think I was expecting a barred highlight in pic 5 on some of the reflective balls, or maybe they are just too small and the renders low res?

[Kel Solaar]

Hi Tony,

The main purpose of those puppies is to have a more realistic specular highlight in first instance (You can also choose depending the renderer to have a the lighting coming from the texture itself or even go full brute force ). I think the thing you spotted is related to the render being not high resolution enough.

KS

[Mrguy]

Amazing amazing work. I just got it up and running and love everything about it! Next is getting the Lightsmith items to work.

[toddd]

Amazing work, truly great tool for all of us, thank you!

Any eta for 3dsmax/lightsmith implementation?

[Kel Solaar]

Amazing work, truly great tool for all of us, thank you!

Any eta for 3dsmax/lightsmith implementation?

Hi Todd,

I'm in the process of relocating so I'm not sure when I'll be able to tackle this :|

Thomas

[toddd]

Thanks for the reply Thomas, good luck with your move, and thanks again for all the hard work!:thumbsup:

[LS3D]

Why lightwave is not supported by sIBL_GUI 3 ?

[Kel Solaar]

Why lightwave is not supported by sIBL_GUI 3 ?


Hi :)

For a few reasons:

Lightwave is supported by Christian himself through a specific loader (in fact its the first sIBL loader ever done, and the older, still actively maintained though): http://smartibl.com/sibl/software.html

The second one is that if I had to maintain templates for whatever reasons, I don't know lightwave at all and I'm already maintaining quite a few packages/renderers alone (not even speaking about sIBL_GUI itself and side related projects). Time is a big issue here :) I also do that on my free time so... :)

src/templates/XSI/XSI_MR_Standard/XSI_MR_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/Maya/Maya_MR_Standard/Maya_MR_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/Maya/Maya_RfM_Standard/Maya_RfM_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/Maya/Maya_MR_Lightsmith/Maya_MR_Lightsmith.sIBLT
src/templates/Maya/Maya_VRay_Standard/Maya_VRay_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/3dsMax/3dsMax_MR_Standard/3dsMax_MR_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/XSI/XSI_Arnold_Standard/XSI_Arnold_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/Maya/Maya_Arnold_Standard/Maya_Arnold_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/Maya/Maya_VRay_Dome_Light/Maya_VRay_Dome_Light.sIBLT
src/templates/Maya/Maya_VRay_Lightsmith/Maya_VRay_Lightsmith.sIBLT
src/templates/3dsMax/3dsMax_VRay_Standard/3dsMax_VRay_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/XSI/XSI_Arnold_Dome_Light/XSI_Arnold_Dome_Light.sIBLT
src/templates/Softimage/Softimage_MR_Standard/Softimage_MR_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/Softimage/Softimage_MR_Lightsmith/Softimage_MR_Lightsmith.sIBLT
src/templates/3dsMax/3dsMax_Scanline_Standard/3dsMax_Scanline_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/Softimage/Softimage_Arnold_Standard/Softimage_Arnold_Standard.sIBLT
src/templates/Softimage/Softimage_Arnold_Dome_Light/Softimage_Arnold_Dome_Light.sIBLT
src/templates/Softimage/Softimage_Arnold_Lightsmith/Softimage_Arnold_Lightsmith.sIBLT

Turtle for Maya is missing since I dropped support for it :)

Cheers,

KS

[Infinite]

Hey Kel, I hope all is well in London!

I was wondering if and when the Max LightSmith hook up might be available? I would imagine you must be super busy at the moment. :notWorthy:

[Kel Solaar]

Hey Kel, I hope all is well in London!

I was wondering if and when the Max LightSmith hook up might be available? I would imagine you must be super busy at the moment. :notWorthy:

Mmmh :) Yeah I'm ok though I'm having tight deadlines, left work late this evening for instance. I'm not sure when I'll be able to tackle the 3dsmax templates, I need to get in my flat first and bring some windows box, it's very hard in the virtual machine on the laptop :|

KS

[Infinite]

Understood :) Don't work to hard Kel. Looking forwards to testing LightSmith further.