#05: Image-Based Lighting

Organizer
Paul Debevec (USC Institute for Creative Technologies)

Lecturers
Paul Debevec (USC Institute for Creative Technologies)
Nickson Fong (Centropolis Effects)
Dan Lemmon (Digital Domain)

Overview
Using images of real light to illuminate computer-generated scenes provides new levels of realism and new avenues for creativity. This course teaches everything from the theory behind the methods to the practical techniques of using image-based lighting in commercial production: high-dynamic-range photography, lighting acquisition, image-based lighting and compositing, real-time techniques, and ongoing research in illuminating real people and objects with sampled light.

Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of or experience with modeling and rendering in a traditional modeling or rendering package (for example, 3D Studio Max, LightWave 3D, Maya, or SoftImage). Familiarity with basic lighting and compositing. No advanced knowledge of ray tracing or global illumination is assumed.

Topics
Using high-dynamic-range imagery, acquiring light-probe images, using global illumination, performing image-based lighting in traditional rendering, and compositing real people into virtual environments with consistent lighting. Basic principles of light reflection and global illumination.

Course #05 Notes (PDF, 48.1MB)