Introduction
HDRI (High Dynamic range imaging) balls are used to capture light to apply to a 3d model. They are quite expensive to buy, heres a link to one of ebay. Although you can create one very easily as it explains below.
Steps
It was Christmas just a month ago, so you should be able to find or buy a silver/chrome ball ball. The bigger the better. Thats all really! To use it just place the ball on a surface where you want your CG model to be and take a photo of it. Its best to zoom in as far as you can (optical zoom preferred) on the ball so the person taking the photo is as small as possible in the reflection in the ball.
Christmas ball balls used as a HDR ball
Take the attachment off the top which creates a good stand for it
Then you need to put your photo of the ball in to a software package that will unwrap it for you. There are few out there and some are free. I used: HDR Shop.
Examples using homemade HDr ball
Outside on the street
HDR ball outside
HDR ball outside unwrapped
Inside on a desk
HDR ball inside
HDR ball inside unwrapped
If you enjoyed this simple tutorial post a comment! Submit your photos using a homemade HDR ball to us!
