New in HDR Light Studio - 9 Drop 1
Introduction | Overview | Edit Mode | Advanced Falloffs | LightPainting Curve Points
Introduction
What is Lumi-Curve?
Lumi-Curve has been created to provide a very flexible and powerful light type to solve lighting challenges that traditional 'fixed-shape' light sources cannot solve. Put simply, Lumi-Curve lets you draw a 'curve' with a controllable gradient each side of the line. A huge variety of lighting effects are possible using Lumi-Curve.
Example Uses for Lumi-Curve:
Shape the Light
Fixed-shape lights can fall short when working with complex surfaces like those found in cars. Lumi-Curve can replicate simple light types, such as a round light cut in half, then take things further.
Lumi-Curve with settings replicating a soft round light cut in half.
By adjusting the Freeform settings, you can bend the light's edge, shape its falloff, and align it perfectly with your model's surface.
Combining Lights
Ever placed several lights in alignment and wished you could blend them into one seamless light stroke? Lumi-Curve can replace multiple lights with a single flowing shape that enhances surface continuity.
Start with 3 soft round lights across the car bumper.
Replace them with a single Lumi-Curve light flowing naturally across the surface. It looks polished, easier to manage, and quicker to iterate.
Background Glow Shapes
Create stylised background glows using Lumi-Curve. Draw smooth, soft arcs behind your 3D object by clicking key points directly in the Render View.
Create stylised background glow.
Lighting Design in HDR Light Studio
Projection Lighting
Lumi-Curve can be applied to area lights with a spread of 0, turning them into projected light sources. This lets you sculpt and draw light, similar to a Light Brush used in photography, and adjust it in real time to highlight specific details.
This approach offers total control over how light interacts with the model’s form, and updates in real time as you adjust the curve.
In this car example, five projecting lights with Lumi-Curve were used to create precise, beautiful illumination with total control.
This shows the projection of the Lumi-Curve onto the front of the car - total control over the illumination.
Light Trails
One of the most dramatic uses of Lumi-Curve is for dynamic light trails.
These eye-catching effects can:
•Overlap and build brightness additively
•Be shaped freely to curve, twist, and flow around your object
•Add a strong visual identity to motion shots or stylised renders
Endless creative directions, all under your control.
Non-Linear Horizon Lines
Lumi-Curve isn’t just for shaping highlights; it can also be used creatively across the entire HDRI canvas. By stretching a Lumi-Curve to fill the width of the HDRI map, you can create non-linear horizon lines that bring a unique structure to your lighting design.
Use Lumi-Curve on a flat mapped light filling the canvas, use Over blend mode and zero brightness to add blackness to the lighting design.
Create masks with non-linear horizon line to mix low and upper parts of HDRI maps together.
Background Visual Effects
Whether you want soft ambient curves or hard-edged graphic lighting, Lumi-Curve makes it easy to create striking backgrounds. These effects can enhance the subject, or become the star of the scene.
From soft reflections to sharp graphic light trails, Lumi-Curve turns your lighting into a creative brush. It's not just a new feature, it’s a new way to think about lighting design in HDR Light Studio.
Where next? Overview
