LookDev — Environment

Environment is the HDRI library and preview workspace. It supports local .hdr, .hdri and .exr files together with downloadable Poly Haven environments.

What the visible controls do

+ Folder, + File, Scan Drive / Folder

Add a known HDRI location, add one file, or scan a folder. This keeps the library focused on assets you actually use.

Source, Category, Format, Sort, Search

Narrow a large library before you browse it, so finding a suitable environment does not require opening every file.

Favorites and Duplicates

Keep preferred environments easy to find and surface repeated filenames when the library grows.

HDRI cards and inspector

Select a card to review its resolution, file size, format, dimensions, category, and notes before applying it.

Realtime Preview Lighting

Inspect the panorama, rotate it with the mouse, and preview it on the material balls without modifying the scene.

Large Preview and Apply to V-Ray IPR

Use a larger inspection view first; apply only the selected environment when you are ready to send it to the V-Ray scene workflow.

Local libraries

Use + Folder, + File or Scan Drive / Folder. Library paths, categories, favorites and notes are retained between sessions.

Poly Haven

Switch Source to Poly Haven to browse cloud HDRIs. Choose the resolution and format before download. The download destination is configured in LookDev Settings, and completed files are added to the local library.

Find and inspect

Filter by source, category, format, favorites or duplicate filename, then search and sort the visible grid. Selecting a card updates resolution, file size, format, dimensions, category and notes in the inspector.

Realtime Preview Lighting

The preview displays the panorama and selected material balls, tracks HDRI rotation in real time, and can synchronize rotation with the active V-Ray dome while Viewport RT is enabled. The sun marker is estimated from image luminance, not from the filename.