Was ist HDR (Radiance)? RGBE High Dynamic Range-Format erklärt

Das Radiance HDR (.hdr)-Format verwendet RGBE-Shared-Exponent-Codierung, um hochdynamische Bilder in 32 Bit pro Pixel zu speichern, erstellt von Greg Ward für Radiance.

Kostenloses Online-Dateikonvertierungstool. Funktioniert in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera und anderen modernen Browsern unter Windows, macOS, Linux, Android und iOS. Keine Softwareinstallation oder Anmeldung erforderlich. Alle Konvertierungen laufen direkt in Ihrem Browser, Ihre Dateien verlassen also nie Ihr Gerät. Kostenlos und ohne Konto nutzbar.

Image

Was ist HDR (Radiance)? RGBE High Dynamic Range-Format erklärt

Ein frühes hochdynamisches Bildformat, das die Shared-Exponent-RGBE-Codierung für Beleuchtung und Rendering verwendet.

Zuletzt aktualisiert:

Year1985
TypeRaster image (HDR)
UsageLighting & environment maps

What is it?

The Radiance HDR format, also known as the RGBE image format, is a high-dynamic-range raster image format invented by Greg Ward around 1985 for the Radiance physically based rendering and lighting-simulation system developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. It was one of the earliest HDR image formats.

Instead of storing full floating-point values, RGBE keeps one byte each for red, green, and blue plus a single shared 8-bit exponent, giving 32 bits per pixel. The shared exponent scales the three mantissas, allowing the format to represent a very wide dynamic range compactly, which made it a foundation for later HDR imaging and tone-mapping work.

Technical Specifications

DeveloperGreg Ward (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
File Extension.hdr, .pic, .rgbe, .xyze
MIME Typeimage/vnd.radiance
Releasedc. 1985 (Radiance system)
CompressionRun-length encoding (RLE)

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Breiter Dynamikbereich, kompakte Größe

The shared-exponent RGBE encoding represents a very large range of brightness values in just 32 bits per pixel.

Pionierarbeit, weit verbreitete Unterstützung

As one of the first HDR formats, Radiance HDR is read by a broad range of rendering and image software.

Verlustfreie RGBE-Codierung mit RLE

The format applies simple run-length encoding without discarding the encoded pixel data.

Ideal für Lichtdaten

It is well suited to storing illumination measurements and environment maps used in physically based rendering.

Disadvantages

Begrenzte pro-Pixel-Präzision

A single shared exponent means the three color channels cannot each have independent floating-point precision, unlike formats such as OpenEXR.

Kein Alpha-Kanal

The classic RGBE format does not carry transparency information.

Nischenakzeptanz

It is used mainly in rendering and lighting workflows rather than for general-purpose images or the web.

When to Use It

Radiance HDR is used wherever physically meaningful light values must be stored.

Bildbasierte Beleuchtung

HDR environment maps light 3D scenes realistically by capturing the full range of scene illumination.

Beleuchtungssimulation

The Radiance system uses HDR images to store and analyze physically based lighting results.

HDR-Fotografie-Quelle

Merged exposure-bracketed photographs are often stored as Radiance HDR before tone mapping.

How to open a HDR file

HDR software can be categorized into professional tools, free/open-source options, browser-based applications, and built-in utilities. Professional tools like Adobe Photoshop cater to users who need advanced editing capabilities, while free/open-source software like GIMP appeals to budget-conscious users. Browser-based applications offer convenience for quick tasks, and built-in utilities provide basic functionality for casual users.

When choosing HDR software, important factors include feature fidelity, the distinction between editing and viewing capabilities, cost models, platform compatibility, and export needs. Users should consider whether they need extensive editing features or simply a viewer for HDR files. Additionally, understanding when to convert HDR files to other formats can influence the choice of software.

Adobe Photoshop 2023

Windows, macOSSubscription

Adobe Photoshop is a leading professional image editing software that supports HDR files through its 32-bit editing capabilities. It allows users to manipulate HDR images with high fidelity, providing tools for tone mapping and layer adjustments.

Hauptfunktionen
  • 32-bit color depth editing
  • Advanced tone mapping options
  • Full layer and mask editing
  • HDR merging from multiple exposures
  • Extensive filter and adjustment tools
Stärken
  • Industry-standard for professional editing
  • Comprehensive HDR manipulation tools
  • Regular updates and community support
Einschränkungen
  • Subscription model can be expensive
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners

Exportiert nach: JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PSD, PDF

Am besten für: Choose Adobe Photoshop for professional-grade HDR editing with extensive features and support.

Besuchen Adobe Photoshop →

GIMP 2.10.30

Windows, macOS, LinuxFree (GPL)

GIMP is a powerful open-source image editor that supports HDR files through its plug-ins and native capabilities. It allows users to edit and manipulate HDR images, though with some limitations compared to professional software.

Hauptfunktionen
  • Support for 32-bit HDR images
  • Customizable interface with plug-ins
  • Basic tone mapping tools
  • Layer and mask functionality
  • Extensive file format support
Stärken
  • Completely free with no restrictions
  • Highly customizable with plug-ins
  • Cross-platform compatibility
Einschränkungen
  • Less intuitive user interface
  • Limited HDR-specific features compared to Photoshop

Exportiert nach: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, GIF

Am besten für: GIMP is ideal for users seeking a free, versatile tool for basic HDR editing and manipulation.

Besuchen GIMP →

Photomatix Pro 6.3.2

Windows, macOSOne-time $99.00

Photomatix Pro specializes in HDR image processing, offering advanced tone mapping and exposure blending features. It is designed specifically for HDR photography, making it a go-to choice for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Hauptfunktionen
  • Multiple exposure blending
  • Advanced tone mapping algorithms
  • Batch processing capabilities
  • Realistic HDR presets
  • Noise reduction tools
Stärken
  • Tailored specifically for HDR processing
  • User-friendly interface for quick edits
  • Strong batch processing support
Einschränkungen
  • Higher cost compared to general editors
  • Limited general image editing features

Exportiert nach: JPEG, TIFF, PNG, HDR, EXR

Am besten für: Select Photomatix Pro for dedicated HDR processing with powerful features and ease of use.

Besuchen Photomatix Pro →

Luminance HDR 2.6.1

Windows, macOS, LinuxFree (GPL)

Luminance HDR is an open-source software specifically designed for HDR imaging, allowing users to create and edit HDR images with a focus on quality. It supports various HDR formats and offers a range of tone mapping options.

Hauptfunktionen
  • Support for multiple HDR formats
  • Advanced tone mapping operators
  • Exposure fusion capabilities
  • Batch processing for HDR images
  • User-friendly interface
Stärken
  • Free and open-source with no limitations
  • Focused on HDR image creation
  • Cross-platform availability
Einschränkungen
  • Less polished than commercial alternatives
  • Fewer advanced editing features

Exportiert nach: JPEG, TIFF, PNG, HDR, EXR

Am besten für: Luminance HDR is perfect for users looking for a free, dedicated tool for creating and editing HDR images.

Besuchen Luminance HDR →

Convert HDR Files Free

Use our free online image converter to convert HDR and other formats - no signup, no watermarks.

Try Image Converter Free

References

  1. RGBE image format - Wikipedia
  2. The RADIANCE Picture File Format - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
  3. Radiance RGBE Image Format - PRONOM (UK National Archives)
  4. Radiance HDR - Just Solve the File Format Problem