What is a HDR file?
HDR (Radiance RGBE) is the Radiance high-dynamic-range format, widely used for environment maps and lighting. It was introduced in 1989 by Greg Ward (Radiance).
What HDR is good at
- High dynamic range in a compact encoding
- Standard for environment maps
- Simple format
Where HDR falls short
- No transparency
- Limited editor support
When to use HDR
- 3D lighting and HDRI skies
- Image-based lighting
- Rendering pipelines
Where HDR files open
HDR files open in Blender, Photoshop, Unity, Unreal and Radiance tools.
HDR compared with PNG
HDR or PNG? HDR is best for 3D lighting and HDRI skies. PNG is best for screenshots and UI graphics. Convert HDR to PNG or convert PNG to HDR.
Frequently asked questions
What is a HDR file?
HDR (Radiance RGBE) is the Radiance high-dynamic-range format, widely used for environment maps and lighting. It was introduced in 1989 by Greg Ward (Radiance).
What are the advantages of HDR?
High dynamic range in a compact encoding; standard for environment maps; simple format.
What are the drawbacks of HDR?
No transparency; limited editor support.
What programs open HDR files?
HDR files open in Blender, Photoshop, Unity, Unreal and Radiance tools.
How do I convert a HDR file?
Choose the HDR converter you need from the list on this page, drop in your file and press Convert. You get your new file in seconds, free and without sign-up.