by PlanetBlender·Rendering
Images © PlanetBlender. Used for product review; image policy.
Flare stands out in the superhive library for keeping HDRI lighting management down to three controls, paired with a save-to-startup workflow and category sorting for your own HDRI collection.
Flare V1.1 The Lighting Add-On is an HDRI lighting tool for Blender from PlanetBlender. It keeps things simple with just three controls, and it lets you import your favorite HDRIs and save them so they are ready every time you start a new project. The developer notes that free HDRIs are available from sites like hdrihaven.com, so there is no need to buy an add-on packed with images you may never use.
To keep imported HDRIs on hand across projects, you import them and then save a new startup file through Blender's File menu. Version 1.1 adds the option to create categories for your HDRIs, making it easier to find the one you want. The add-on ships with documentation, is offered under a royalty-free license, and has a demo video available. PlanetBlender describes it as a starting point, with further functions planned for future updates.
Flare V1.1 The Lighting Add-On is best for blender users who want to keep a collection of favorite HDRIs organized and ready for lighting new scenes.
Flare V1.1 The Lighting Add-On is completely free to download and use.
Flare V1.1 The Lighting Add-On is listed for Blender version 2.79. If you run a newer release of Blender, check the developer's page before installing, since the listing reflects the version the add-on was published against. The add-on ships with documentation, which is the best reference for setup details and any version-specific notes. PlanetBlender also mentions ongoing development, so future updates may extend what the tool covers over time.
Flare V1.1 The Lighting Add-On lets you import your favorite HDRIs and then save them so they stay ready for future work. To do this, import the HDRIs you want, then open Blender's File menu and choose Save Startup File. From that point on, your saved HDRIs load whenever you begin a new project, so you avoid re-importing them each time. Version 1.1 also lets you sort them into categories, which makes finding a specific HDRI easier.
Flare V1.1 The Lighting Add-On is listed as free in this catalog, and the developer offers it under a royalty-free license. Licensing and pricing can change over time, so check PlanetBlender's page for the current terms before you download. The developer has also noted that buyers receive future updates at no extra cost, and that more functions are planned. For the most accurate, up-to-date details, the developer's page is the place to confirm.
Flare V1.1 The Lighting Add-On added the option to create categories for your HDRIs in its version 1.1 update. Categories let you group your imported HDRIs so you can find the one you are looking for more easily, which is helpful once your collection grows. This works alongside the add-on's core workflow of importing HDRIs and saving them through a startup file so they remain available in new projects. Documentation is included if you need guidance on the setup.
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