Work with environments in Alias

Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.

Transcript

00:04

I've used a simple geometric environment for this project,

00:08

which means it has a basic sphere map with a ramp.

00:12

Several environments are provided in the Shader Library,

00:15

some of which provide reflection maps,

00:18

and some that also provide geometric environments.

00:23

The environment is made up of the Reflection Map and the Background.

00:27

Alias specifies these in two places,

00:30

so you don't necessarily have to use both and

00:32

can mix and match to get the desired look.

00:36

For a straightforward example,

00:38

let's use an HDR that's been downloaded from a free website.

00:44

I'll delete the current environment,

00:46

and then I'll browse for a Reflection Map

00:49

and locate the image I want to use.

00:57

Make sure Use Environment is checked on in Hardware Shade,

01:02

and then adjust the Tone Mapping options of the

01:04

reflection to adjust the effect on the scene.

01:07

Next, I'll create the Background.

01:10

You can control the background color or provide a

01:13

backdrop image to use as a back plate,

01:15

but since we have the HDR,

01:18

I'll use it to create a geometric background.

01:21

Click on the map texture button to bring up the Texture Editor,

01:24

change the Environment Type to Geometric,

01:27

and then browse for the HDR.

01:32

Notice that this one 1K HDR is quite blurry.

01:36

I find that HDR as a size are generally quite good for

01:39

reflection maps, because you can't really see the detail in the reflections

01:43

and they keep the file size low,

01:45

but they don't look great as environments.

01:48

I'll replace this with a larger version of this file.

01:51

And now, the quality of the background is much better.

01:55

You can control the placement of the background here.

02:04

But keep in mind,

02:05

you might also have to rotate the reflection map to match the environment.

02:11

In the Hardware Shade window, you can specify the lighting to be either image based

02:15

or use a combination of the HDR

02:18

and some preset lighting options to get the look you like.

02:33

And, the same as creating custom shader,

02:35

I can now drag and drop this custom environment back

02:38

into my custom library to use on other files.

Video transcript

00:04

I've used a simple geometric environment for this project,

00:08

which means it has a basic sphere map with a ramp.

00:12

Several environments are provided in the Shader Library,

00:15

some of which provide reflection maps,

00:18

and some that also provide geometric environments.

00:23

The environment is made up of the Reflection Map and the Background.

00:27

Alias specifies these in two places,

00:30

so you don't necessarily have to use both and

00:32

can mix and match to get the desired look.

00:36

For a straightforward example,

00:38

let's use an HDR that's been downloaded from a free website.

00:44

I'll delete the current environment,

00:46

and then I'll browse for a Reflection Map

00:49

and locate the image I want to use.

00:57

Make sure Use Environment is checked on in Hardware Shade,

01:02

and then adjust the Tone Mapping options of the

01:04

reflection to adjust the effect on the scene.

01:07

Next, I'll create the Background.

01:10

You can control the background color or provide a

01:13

backdrop image to use as a back plate,

01:15

but since we have the HDR,

01:18

I'll use it to create a geometric background.

01:21

Click on the map texture button to bring up the Texture Editor,

01:24

change the Environment Type to Geometric,

01:27

and then browse for the HDR.

01:32

Notice that this one 1K HDR is quite blurry.

01:36

I find that HDR as a size are generally quite good for

01:39

reflection maps, because you can't really see the detail in the reflections

01:43

and they keep the file size low,

01:45

but they don't look great as environments.

01:48

I'll replace this with a larger version of this file.

01:51

And now, the quality of the background is much better.

01:55

You can control the placement of the background here.

02:04

But keep in mind,

02:05

you might also have to rotate the reflection map to match the environment.

02:11

In the Hardware Shade window, you can specify the lighting to be either image based

02:15

or use a combination of the HDR

02:18

and some preset lighting options to get the look you like.

02:33

And, the same as creating custom shader,

02:35

I can now drag and drop this custom environment back

02:38

into my custom library to use on other files.

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Work with environments in Alias

Video quiz

After you add a background image to create a geometric environment for your finished Alias model, you can control its placement using the Environment Texture editor, but you might also have to do which of the following?

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After you add a background image to create a geometric environment for your finished Alias model, you can control its placement using the Environment Texture editor, but you might also have to do which of the following?

Cookie preferences

Strictly necessary – required for our site to work and to provide services to you

Improve your experience – allows us to show you what is relevant to you

Customize your advertising – permits us to offer targeted advertising to you

THIRD PARTY SERVICES

Strictly necessary – required for our site to work and to provide services to you

Improve your experience – allows us to show you what is relevant to you

Customize your advertising – permits us to offer targeted advertising to you

Are you sure you want a less customized experience?

Your experience. Your choice.