HDRi Maps for Aerospace and Defense–Case Study With Doug Didia

If you’re photographing a product that exists in the physical world, traditional production methods are an option (albeit often a CO2-intensive one ).

But what if you’re photographing a product that doesn’t yet exist?

That was the challenge that Visualization Designer Doug Didia of Creative Industries faced when he developed a pitch deck for a futuristic form of transportation–an eVTOL, or Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft.

Didia creates visualizations in the aerospace and defense industries. For a Blueflite pitch deck, Didia needed to visualize a futuristic eVTOL, using a 3D model in order to show how the future aircraft might look in the real world.

Visualizing an eVTOL

To accomplish this, Didia began with a premium HDRi Map from CGI.Backgrounds. The HDRi Map captures a real-world place; in this case, a warehouse with dramatic glass doors.

To this real-world scene, Didia added additional elements, including a landing pad and related structures. HDRi Maps are an excellent tool for designers , because they allow for the addition or removal of environmental elements through retouching.

Didia then placed a 3D model of the eVTOL into the scene. Because HDRi Environments include detailed lighting data , Didia could automatically light his model, add appropriate shadows, and more.

It's a similar process to the virtual production process often used in the automotive industry.

The Results

The end result is a convincing, photorealistic visualization of an aircraft that does not yet exist. Didia’s final image demonstrates how such an aircraft could operate in small spaces (such as a parking lot), providing logistics support in the aerospace and defense industries.

By blending real-world and virtual elements, Didia can explore and demonstrate his visual concept.

Supporting Mission-Critical Projects

CGI.Backgrounds’ premium HDRi Maps make this kind of work possible, especially in sensitive industries.

In Didia’s words, “When creating content in the Aerospace & Defense Industry, I need a secure closed pipeline with an unrestricted creative workflow. CGI.Backgrounds supports my ultra-sensitive client projects from early concept to final reveal with the highest quality results. Generating photorealistic 3D content for internal confidential reviews as well as high-res marketing releases, in any medium, is huge.”

Working on your own mission-critical visualization project? Check out our subscription plans , which allow commercial use of our premium HDRi Maps and Backplates.