LightMap as posted a little introduction to the new HDR LightStudio live plugin for Maya. Since HDR LightStudio 3.5 supports python scripting, LightMap has created a script for providing live functionality in Maya for IPR sessions with V-ray, Mental Ray, Arnold, Renderman, Maxwell and pretty much anything else, as the script can be amended for anything.

The HDR Light Studio project data is actually embedded on a node in the Maya scene so it is possible to adjust and re-render the final lighting HDRI at any time in the process. HDR Light Studio Live connection works in Maya on Windows 64bit, Mac and Linux

…The provided python script can be amended to include other renderers and the functionality changed for different pipelines…

We have seen some other teases for features included HDR Light Studio 3.5 with preview of LightPaint, which allows you to create and place lights simply by clicking on parts of the model… LightPaint will set the light and angle for that part clicked. As well, the folks at LightMap are still on track for an HDR Light Studio release for Windows, Linux and Mac all with parallel features.

HDR Light Studio 3.0 is available in two flavors: a Standard edition for £399 plus VAT and a Pro edition, which includes plug-ins for KeyShot, Maxwell Studio and Deep Exploration. The Pro edition of HDR Light Studio v3.0 is available for £599 plus VAT. Additional Live plug-ins can be purchased for VRED by PI-VR and Patchwork3D by Lumiscaphe. Purchase online, or find your local reseller, by visiting www.hdrlightstudio.com