Brandy Ryan
WHAT ARE IMAGE-BASED ENVIRONMENTS FOR VRED?
These new, high-end full-CG, photography-based environments have changed the game for the automotive design industry. Photography-based fullCG environments give the highest quality output, resulting in stunning levels of detail and photorealism.
HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT FROM HDR ENVIRONMENTS?
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, a technique used to capture and store images with a high level of detail and accuracy.
HDR environments are commonly used for automotive design renderings. They are panoramic images that offer a realistic lighting effect on 3D scenes and objects. They vary in tone and mood, and also add more natural light to a scene.
HDR environments, as good as they are, can end up feeling like video game backgrounds. The Maground + Mainworks collaboration aims to change that with this photography-based environment, a real photographed environment that you can move the car around in.
HOW ARE THESE IMAGE-BASED ENVIRONMENTS MADE?
These photographic environments start with high-quality HDR domes as the visual base of the environment, which gives the environment its lighting and reflections on the vehicles.
After the HDR domes are selected and in place, the CG experts at Mainworks use 3DS Max and other software to rebuild the scene. Projection mapping techniques help texture the 3D geometry within the HDR dome—essentially rebuilding the image in 3D, where the geometry allows them to change the camera angle. This creates 360° environments.
Once the environment is done, the integration of the car begins. Here the CG experts turned to VRED for camera and rendering to build this visualizer. This process requires a deep understanding of 3D modeling, lighting, and rendering.
At the end, we have a full-CG environment that is almost indistinguishable from the real world.
Finally, the 360° HDR image and video animation of the Aiways web-visualizer showcase the power of these photography-based full CG environments.
WHO MADE THESE IMAGE-BASED ENVIRONMENTS FOR VRED?
These images are the result of a collaboration between MAGROUND and Mainworks — a powerful alliance that brings together expertise in exceptional visual content and cutting-edge technology.
Maground has been the go-to resource for exclusive imagery to create outstanding market visuals in the automotive industry since 2007. With 1 million+ background images, 360 content, HDR Domes from around the world, and a massive network of over 400 professional photographers, Maground is a solid solution for creating visual content at scale. Maground is a trusted partner in modern production workflows, including the creation of VR environments.
Mainworks is a fully-integrated production company that specializes in realizing innovative ideas across all media channels. The company’s expertise in post-production, CGI and video allows it to deliver exceptional visual content that engages and inspires audiences. With the addition of VR, AI and interactive solutions, Mainworks brings the ability to create fully immersive experiences that transport audiences to new worlds.
Together, MAGROUND and Mainworks offer a comprehensive solution for all visual content needs, including the creation of VR environments and interactive solutions. With their combined experience, expertise, and resources, the collaboration is poised to become the industry’s leading provider of exceptional visual content and immersive experiences.
WHEN CAN I ACCESS THESE NEW ENVIRONMENTS IN VRED?
Maground + Mainworks’ image-based full-CG environments are available as of May 10, 2023.
You can access the new environment called “City Berlin” from the VRED Main menu under “Web Shops” > “VRED Library.”
Stay tuned for more Autodesk Automotive posts and more design solutions.
Check us out on LinkedIn, subscribe to our Alias and VRED YouTube channels and follow us on Facebook.