https://github.com/akej74/hdri-sun-aligner

Blender addon for aligning an object (e.g. a sun) to match the brightest part in a HDRI environment
https://github.com/akej74/hdri-sun-aligner

Last synced: 3 months ago
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Blender addon for aligning an object (e.g. a sun) to match the brightest part in a HDRI environment

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/akej74/hdri-sun-aligner
• Owner: akej74
• License: gpl-3.0
• Created: 2019-01-14T20:14:08.000Z (almost 6 years ago)
• Default Branch: master
• Last Pushed: 2024-03-11T09:52:14.000Z (8 months ago)
• Last Synced: 2024-04-17T09:15:43.461Z (7 months ago)
• Language: Python
• Size: 56.6 KB
• Stars: 110
• Watchers: 11
• Forks: 14
• Open Issues: 4
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE

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README

        
# HDRI Sun Aligner

HDRI Sun Aligner is a Blender 2.8+ to 4.0+ addon for automatically rotating an object (e.g. a sun) to match the brightest point in a HDRI environment texture. Some ideas when this may be useful:

- Adding a sun to a scene rendered by EEVEE, as EEVEE cannot render shadows from HDRI environment textures

- Adding any light to enhance a scene, in alignment with direct light from the environment

- Improve a panorama created with Google Streetview app for use as an environment texture in Blender, see the following excellent video by Blender Daily: [Easy HDRI Creation with just a Phone!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aco0UDxL6rA)

- For a nice overview of the addon, see the following video by The CG Essentials: [Fixing Eevee HDRI Lighting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6ZufnYu0sI)

# Blender Artists forum

A discussion thread about this addon can be found on the Blender Artists discussion forum:

https://blenderartists.org/t/hdri-sun-aligner-v1-4/1142638

# Usage

- Add a HDRI environment texture (equirectangular projection) to the World in Blender

- HDRI Sun Aligner is accessed from the panel to the right:



- Calculate the brightest point in the HDRI used for the environment by clicking on "Calculate sun position"

- A preview of the calculated position can be displayed in a new window by clicking on "Preview":



- Updated "Longitude and Latitude" values are displayed in the panel (can be changed manually)

- Select any object and click "Rotate object" to align it with a vector from the calculated point to origo

- To add a new sun (rotated in alignment with the current sun position), click "Add new sun"

  - The new sun will be located in a new collection, "HDRI Sun Aligner"

# Installation of HDRI Sun Aligner addon

1. Download latest release from https://github.com/akej74/hdri-sun-aligner/releases (source as ZIP). 

2. Open Blender preferences -> addons and select "Install from file"...

3. Activate the addon, "HDRI Sun Aligner"