New features in Lightmap Limited’s custom HDR map creation software include:
- New full screen interface
- Drag and drop presets from a library of lights
- Load your own LDR and HDR images as lights
- Interactive re-lighting in the Render View
- Uber Light – one light type with many options
- New procedural sun/sky, linear and radial gradients, secondary alpha control for lights, and additional blend modes like multiply and high pass
- Load Alembic files as well as FBX files (Windows only)
- HDRI image output now uses EXR 2.0
Plus a number of other improvements. The company has changed the software’s pricing and licensing policies. While v4 was available for £299/$499/€399, the new version is being provided in subscription and permanent licensing options, with different prices.
The permanent license price is quite higher, compared to that of v4, and according to the company’s website permanent licenses cannot be upgraded when a new release becomes available. Also of note, connections to 3D applications now have to be paid separately, but if you’re willing to manually import your models and export your environment map, you can run HDR Light Studio 5 Standalone with no connections at all.
HDR Light Studio 4 users will be sent upgrade coupons for a 30% off discount of the v5 prices. The discount lasts for 90 days.
A trial version is available for download. Read the FAQ section on the Support page and new features list for more information.
Looks like subscription is the way to go for more and more companies. You might say: They still offer a permanent license. While that is true it has nearly doubled the price. And you are not allowed to update your permanent license after 90 days.
Did I see correctly? Now they want money for the connection plugins? 130€ For an exportplugin in 3ds max, which still after several years can’t export/translate vray physical cameras for hdr studio to use. This amazes me.