13/01/2025 13:01 by Joost De Bock

Change the lighting setup of a finished photo

Once a photo is taken, it is difficult to adjust the entire lighting setup. The only option is a complex manipulation in photoshop where dozens of layers, time and trial and error often lead to half-hearted results. This manual is and proof of concept of a new method. Using a combination of artificial intelligence and 3-D software, we try to completely change the lighting conditions of an existing photograph.

 

Switchlight

Switchlight, developed by Korea's Beeble.ai, is an innovative solution designed for advanced image processing, particularly in converting image sequences into comprehensive PBR (Physically Based Rendering) material maps. These maps include albedo (color), normal (surface detail), roughness (surface smoothness), specular (light reflection), and ambient occlusion (shadowing effects). The software also extracts precise depth information, enabling enhanced 3D applications. One of its standout features is its ability to isolate and separate an image into distinct components: pure color, texture details, and depth. This functionality streamlines workflows for artists and developers, offering clean and ready-to-use assets for 3D modeling, game development, and visual effects. Switchlight leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence to deliver high accuracy and seamless results. Its intelligent processing not only ensures optimal material conversion but also includes advanced tools to refine and adjust outputs, making it a versatile and reliable choice for professionals in the creative and technical industries.
Download this for free
https://www.beeble.ai/
Isolated Figure
Isolate the Figure

To apply other light to the person, we must first separate the figure from the background. For this, you can use different tools or methods. For the convenience of this workflow, we use Switchlight for this as well.

Generate the Physically Based Rendering
Using the simple menu within Switchlight, you can now convert the png with transparent layer to the various files needed to generate a realistic depth and base tone.
The result is 7 different folders, each with a separate png file
Image breakdown
Switchlight breaks up the photo into different images such as: a ‘normal map’, an occlusion map, and an albedo.
Import the files in Blender
Now comes the exciting part: integrating your work into Blender with Switchlight's dedicated plugin. This plugin streamlines the process of importing your PBR material sequences directly into Blender, saving time and maintaining precision.
Importing the PBR Sequence
Using the ‘Load PBR Sequence’ menu in Switchlight's plugin, you can easily import the folder containing all the individual material maps. The plugin automatically organizes and interprets the data, placing the image sequence as an image plane within Blender’s 3D viewport. Additionally, it positions a camera in the exact alignment needed, perfectly matching the scene's composition.
Environmental Lighting
Once the image plane and camera are set up, you can unleash your creativity by adding environment lights or HDRIs as you normally would in Blender. This flexibility allows you to create realistic or stylized lighting effects to enhance the scene’s depth and mood. The seamless integration with Blender's lighting tools ensures you can experiment freely without disrupting the workflow.
Rendering the Final Image
When your lighting and adjustments are complete, Switchlight’s plugin supports rendering the final image effortlessly. Using Blender’s EVEE rendering engine, you can produce high-quality PNG outputs with alpha transparency. This feature is ideal for integrating the final render into larger projects, composite workflows, or standalone presentations.

Buildingblocks

# Hard- & Software / Service Cost Level 1-5
3 Switchlight Free 4
4 Blender Free 5
 
 

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