Create a custom environment

After you obtain the environment image file, follow these instructions to generate the IBL maps needed for your own environment in Autodesk Showcase.

These steps are the same whether you choose Lighting with Geometry Background (with an image mapped to it) or a Lighting with Infinite Background (where the image is infinitely far away). In either case, you must first prepare images as described in Create or obtain images for custom environments.

1. If the Environments interface is not already visible, press E (or select Appearance > Lighting Environment Library).
2. Click Create at the top of the Environment interface.
3. Select the type of environment you want to create from the drop-down menu.
4. Browse your files and choose an HDR panoramic image meeting the criteria described in Create or obtain images for custom environments.

   After a few moments, the Lighting Environment and Background Properties window opens and a preview of your environment image is displayed.

   
5. Choose a preset from the Light conditions in image drop-down box that describes the light conditions seen in the HDR image; for example, Interior: Artificial. See About the Lighting Environment and Background Properties window: Lighting tab.
6. Click Adjust Directional Light and Shadows and align the directional light with the sun or brightest spot in the HDR image. An easy way to do this is to click Move Light, and then Ctrl-click on the sun reflected in a shiny (preferably) round object.
7. Reduce Directional light contribution to 0, and adjust Lighting image contribution so that your background looks as realistic as possible. At this point your model should look as if something is blocking the main source of light in the scene (for example, a cloud). See About the Lighting Environment and Background Properties window: Lighting tab
8. Check ambient shadows and adjust them if necessary. See Add ambient shadows.
9. Gradual reintroduce Directional light contribution so that the model is lit the way you want; make sure that objects facing the light source are not brighter than you want.
10. Check the directional shadows that result. If they are not dark enough, or too dark, make adjustments. See Adjust environment light and shadows.
11. Click Save to save the environment to Environments in Scene, or Save As to save to a custom folder.

    The Create Environment window remains open for adjustments and recreating the environment with new settings.