📘 HDRI Environment Builder Documentation

Overview

HDRI Environment Builder is a ground-breaking Blender add-on that automates HDRI import, shader setup, and environment mesh creation. In one click, it turns any EXR file (or built-in preset) into a fully mapped, bump-mapped studio or outdoor sphere—no manual node work required.

Key Features

• EXR & Preset Support

  • Load your own .exr files from disk

  • Use images already in your project

  • Choose from bundled “Studio” and “Forest” HDRIs

• Indoor & Outdoor Modes

  • 🏠 Indoor: Create a cube environment with flipped normals

  • 🌳 Outdoor: Create a half-sphere sky dome

• Interactive Mapping Controls

  • ↻ Z-Rotation slider for light direction

  • ↕️ Z-Offset slider to raise/lower the floor plane

  • 📏 Size slider to scale the mesh

• Exposure & Bump Mapping

  • Adjust HDRI brightness (Emission)

  • Control surface detail intensity via bump maps

• Live Preview & Tips

  • See your HDRI in a sidebar thumbnail before building

  • Inline usage tips (e.g. extrude walls & ceilings in Edit Mode)

Requirements

• Blender: v3.0 or newer

• OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Installation

1. Download the ZIP from Super Hive.

2. In Blender go to Edit → Preferences → Add-ons.

3. Click Install…, select the downloaded ZIP, then click Install Add-on.

4. Enable HDRI Environment Builder and click Save Preferences.

Quick-Start Guide

1. Press N in the 3D Viewport → open HDRI Env tab (📷 icon).

2. Source: pick Files, Project EXR, or Preset.

3. Environment Type: choose Indoor (cube) or Outdoor (hemisphere).

4. Tweak sliders: Z-Rotation, Z-Offset, Exposure, Bump, Size.

5. Click Build Environment—watch your HDRI mesh appear!

6. (Indoor only) Enter Edit Mode → select & extrude faces along normals to match walls/ceilings.