PBR, IBL & HDR Full Source Code for Photorealistic Real Time Rendering

PBR, or more commonly known as physically based rendering, is a collection of render techniques that are more or less based on the same underlying theory that more closely matches that of the physical world. As physically based rendering aims to mimic light in a physically plausible way, it generally looks more realistic. Not only does it look better, as it closely approximates actual physics, we (and especially the artists) can author surface materials based on physical parameters without having to resort to cheap hacks and tweaks to make the lighting look right. One of the bigger advantages of authoring materials based on physical parameters is that these materials will look correct regardless of lighting conditions; something that is not true in non-PBR pipelines.

This implementation of Physically based Rendering (PBR) + Image Based Lighting (IBL) + High Dynamic Range (HDR) is what enables engines like Unreal Engine, Unity and THE UNIVAH FILM ENGINE to produce real time renders which look identical to real life.

The Stephanie Michaels Software Company is providing this source code to software developers as a starting point to help them in achieving photorealistic renders within their own software.