by May3D·Rendering
Images © May3D. Used for product review; image policy.
Mood-Id positions itself as a flexible alternative to traditional HDRIs, using optimized .jpg files and a procedural shading method to emulate High Dynamic Range lighting.
Mood-Id is a Blender add-on that enhances scenes with carefully curated color palettes. Selecting a palette applies lighting that adds realism and depth, drawing from a library of over 270 presets organized into various themes and styles. An icon gallery lets you browse and select presets, and the interface uses a clean layout for navigating and experimenting with different lighting options. For advanced users, a detailed panel offers customizable settings for precise adjustments.
The tool also supports custom images: selecting an image generates a color palette based on the photo, which can then be applied to your scene. This is useful for incorporating specific moods or themes from your own photography. Mood-Id is suitable for detailed interior renderings, expansive outdoor environments, and stylized animations.
Positioned as an alternative to traditional HDRIs, Mood-Id provides natural, urban, and stylized palettes. It uses optimized .jpg files, which require less video memory than high-resolution .exr/.hdr files, and applies an advanced procedural shading method that emulates High Dynamic Range lighting. Mood-Id is published under the GPL license.
Mood-Id is best for blender artists working on detailed interior renderings, expansive outdoor environments, and stylized animations who want palette-driven lighting.
Mood-Id is completely free to download and use.
Mood-Id lists compatibility with Blender 4.2 and 4.1. If you are running one of these versions, the add-on is designed to work within your setup. For any newer or older releases, check the developer's page for the current compatibility details, since supported versions can change with updates. Sticking to the listed versions is the safest way to ensure the presets and lighting panel behave as documented, and it helps avoid unexpected issues when applying palettes to your scenes.
Mood-Id is offered as an alternative to traditional HDRIs, providing a range of palettes including natural, urban, and stylized lighting. It uses optimized .jpg files, which require less video memory than the high-resolution .exr or .hdr files used by HDRIs. An advanced procedural shading method emulates High Dynamic Range lighting, so you can get high-quality results without the performance drawbacks associated with HDRIs. This makes it a lighter-weight option for adding mood and atmosphere to scenes.
Mood-Id allows the integration of custom images to create personalized lighting setups. By selecting an image, the tool generates a color palette based on that photo, which you can then apply to your scene. This is particularly useful for artists who want to incorporate specific moods or themes from their own photography. Alongside custom images, the add-on includes over 270 built-in presets organized into various themes and styles, browsable through the icon gallery.
Mood-Id is listed as free in this catalog and is published under the GPL license. Licensing terms and any current details can change over time, so check May3D's developer page for the most up-to-date information before you download. The add-on ships with documentation to help you get started, and it is a Dev Fund contributor entry, which supports Blender's development fund. Reviewing the developer's page is the best way to confirm current terms.
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