HDRMAPS, an artist-run resource created by Grzegorz Wronkowski, offers a substantial library of free High Dynamic Range Images (HDRIs) suitable for a variety of computer graphics applications. These assets are designed to provide realistic lighting and environmental backgrounds for rendering projects. The available freebies include a wide range of resolutions, licensing options, and file formats, catering to both casual users and professionals requiring commercial rights.
Available Free Assets and Resolutions
The HDRMAPS website hosts several collections of free HDRIs, varying in quantity, resolution, and packaging.
- Blender HDRI Assets Library: A collection of 127 HDRIs optimized for Blender’s Cycles renderer. These are provided as a single .blend file (compatible with Blender 3.2+) containing a shader ball and HDRI environment setup. The resolution of these specific packaged files is 4,096 x 2,048 pixels. The library includes interior and exterior scenes of rural and urban environments shot under diverse lighting conditions. While optimized for Cycles, they are also compatible with Blender's Eevee render engine.
- 10K HDRIs: Over 90 to over 150 HDRIs are available, with resolutions up to 10,000 x 5,000 pixels. These are available for download directly from the Freebies section of the HDRMAPS website. Users can often choose from a range of resolutions for these assets, allowing a trade-off between image quality and file size.
- 2K Sample Archives: HDRMAPS has made hundreds of HDRI environments and skies available at 2,048 x 1,024 pixels. In one update, 402 of these 2K samples were bundled into a single zip archive for easier download. These are largely exteriors but include both rural and urban environments.
- Texturify Resources: A sister site of HDRMAPS, Texturify.com, offers additional free resources. These include 24 free HDRI maps at 5,000 x 2,500 pixels, over 100 free High Resolution regular Spherical Environment Maps (5,000 x 2,500px), Sky Backgrounds, and various textures (bricks, stone, metal, concrete, wood, etc.).
File Formats and Technical Specifications
The free HDRIs are primarily provided in OpenEXR (.exr) format, which is standard for professional CG workflows and supports high dynamic range data. Some assets, specifically those on Texturify and older sets, are available in .hdr (equirectangular) format.
The HDRIs are suitable for use in a range of CG tasks, including: * Rendering portfolio material * Architectural visualization * Motion graphics * Visual effects work
They are compatible with most modern CG applications, including 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Maya, and Unreal Engine 5.
Licensing and Commercial Use
Licensing terms for HDRMAPS freebies have evolved to become more permissive.
- CC BY 4.0 License: The Blender HDRI Assets library and the general 10K HDRIs are provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. This license permits use in commercial projects, provided proper attribution is given to the creator.
- Commercial-Friendly Updates: In a forum post, the creator noted a change in license for freebies, stating they can now be used with assets intended for sale. Both free and commercial versions of HDRIs on the site are licensed for use in commercial projects.
- Texturify Assets: The free resources available on Texturify.com are described as royalty-free.
While the free versions allow for commercial use, the site also offers paid commercial versions which often provide significantly higher resolutions (up to 20,000px width or more), higher dynamic range, and may include photographic backplates.
Download and Access Methods
Accessing the free assets has become more streamlined over time.
- Direct Downloads: Users can download the HDRIs directly from the HDRMAPS website without needing to register for an account or add items to a shopping cart.
- Blender Add-on: A free add-on is available for Blender users, facilitating the batch download of all HDRI files at once.
- Voluntary Support: For users who wish to support the creator, there is an option to make a voluntary donation, often available at checkout (e.g., via BlenderMarket for the $1 version of the Blender library).
Usage Tips and Limitations
- Shadows: Some free HDRIs, particularly those without additional lighting data, may cast "hard" shadows. Users may need to supplement these with additional light sources in their scenes.
- Exposure: The exposure depth of the source photographs can vary. Users are advised to check the exposure settings within the HDRIs to ensure proper lighting in their renders.
- Source Shots: The freebies are typically created from a small number of shots (e.g., three shots 2EV apart).
Conclusion
HDRMAPS serves as a valuable resource for CG artists seeking high-quality, free HDRI environments and skies. The availability of assets in multiple resolutions and formats, combined with a permissive commercial license (CC BY 4.0), makes these freebies suitable for a wide range of projects, from personal portfolios to commercial visualizations. The creator's commitment to expanding the free library and simplifying access—such as removing registration requirements and offering direct downloads—further enhances its utility for the global community of digital artists.