This technology saves the 3D-designer from elaborate manual definition of multiple light-sources and also from lengthy experimenting with color choice and light-volume. The HDRIs also contain the information whether there is a direct light-source (e.g. sun, spot light) with defined shadows - or a cloudy sky/neon lights with diffuse light...

The 31 high-quality HDR images of various technical reflection effects are provided in the most widely used formats:
Light-Probe (Angular Map)
Spherical Map (Latitude-Longitude)
Vertical-Cross

Radiosity - and therefore the use of HDRIs is directly supported in many 3D-applications like Lightwave (version 6.0 and higher), Softimage|XSI, Maya & Mentalray, Pixar RenderMan, Bryce...

HDRI-Studio provides unique, real professional photo studio lighting environments for your computer graphics models.Combining the specialist skills of experienced still-life photographers with state-of-the-art, High Dynamic Range imaging, you can now have the ultimate in photorealism. You no longer have to worry about incongruous reflections in shiny surfaces or struggle for...