If you are looking for free HDRIs to use in your 3D projects, you might be overwhelmed by the number of sites that offer them. How do you know which ones are worth your time and bandwidth? In this blog post, we will compare some of the most popular sites that provide free HDRIs and highlight their pros and cons.
Sites like Polyhaven? There are many sites providing free HDRIs, among them the best known are HDRMAPS, HDR Labs, Viz-People, Poliigon, AmbientCG and HDRI Haven. Let's take a closer look at each one of them.
- HDR Labs: This site is run by a group of enthusiasts who create and share HDRIs for free. You can find a variety of HDRIs, from outdoor scenes to studio setups, as well as some tutorials and resources on how to use them. The HDRIs are licensed under CC0, which means you can use them without any restrictions or attribution.
- HDRMAPS: This site offers a large collection of high-quality HDRIs in various resolutions and categories. You can download up to 10 HDRIs per day for free, or get unlimited access with a premium subscription. The HDRIs are licensed under CC BY 4.0, which means you have to give credit to the author when using them.
- Viz-People: This site offers a selection of free HDRIs for architectural visualization and design. You can download up to 3 HDRIs per day for free, or get unlimited access with a premium subscription. The HDRIs are licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, which means you can use them for non-commercial purposes only and you have to give credit to the author and share your work under the same license. - HDRI Haven: This site is part of the Poly Haven network, which also includes Texture Haven and 3D Model Haven. You can download hundreds of HDRIs for free, in various resolutions and categories. The HDRIs are licensed under CC0, which means you can use them without any restrictions or attribution.
As you can see, each site has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs and preferences. You might want to check out more than one site to find the best HDRIs for your project. Happy rendering!