For freeware programmers there's no better compliment than happy users spreading the word.

Even better, when they do that with tutorials. That's why I just love this video, making great use of Steve Pedler's latest Cinema4D sIBL loader (which, by the way, has recently been updated to include a VRay setup.) Awesome results, even without using the background from the sIBL sets.

Smart image based lighting (sIBL) overview from rob redman on Vimeo.


On the flip side, I have always argued that Smart IBL works best when used as starting point. You get a head start, from 0 to 80% in an instant, but for an exceptional lighting it pays off to add a bit more. Just like in this second user tutorial, where the background and the mood come straight from the Barcelona Rooftops set, leaving you more time to finesse the final image. The tutorial is centered around 3dMAX and VRay, but the method is completely universal.