Help creating HDRI of studio lights?

[itsallgoode9]

I have a ton of single studio light HDRI (sofboxes, strobes etc) that i've purchased over the years but I want to make some of my own, as i've found these to be pretty inconsistent. I have a couple questions:

1. how many exposures should I shoot for something like this? I assume the amount of images needed is different than something like an environment HDRI?

2. is there a way to calibrate these so the wattage of the light will match up with the power slider in octane? For example, if I shoot at softbox at 500 watts, I'd like the power slider in octane to be set at 500 to light correctly, not something like 0.2 or whatever.

3. When evaluating the HDRI i already have, is there a way to tell how much of an exposure range is in them? from manufacturer to manufacturer this is seeming extremely inconsistent, so i'd like to see if any of my current ones actually are created correctly.

Thanks for any help!

[FrankPooleFloating]

Whoa whoa whoa.. hold everything! Stop the presses!... IAG, I am really starting to wonder if you are at all familiar with HDR Light Studio (HDRLS)... If you aren't, you need to be, in a big effing way. With all the product beauty shots you do, you are doing yourself a major disservice by not having this mofo in your arsenal, if it is not. https://www.lightmap.co.uk/hdrlightstudio/ And they have got you covered with a Maya plug, in addition LW, 3DS, C4D, Modo etc... If you have never even heard of HDRLS, run, don't walk, to check it out. Do it now. Oh yeah, its Octane compatible too!

Also, I almost suggested in another thread, a ways back, that if you are not familiar with Substance Painter, you really should check that out too. I can't remember specifically what made me think you might not be using Substance Painter or Quixel Suite or Mari... but I know it was you, and certainly thought you could benefit from one of those.

[Rikk The Gaijin]

Agree with FrankPooleFloating, HDR Light Studio is the way to go.

[itsallgoode9]

yeah, i'll revisit HDRI Light studio. I own V3 and V4 but there was some reason why I quit using it but I can't remember why. I'll give the new V5 a look ans see how it goes. Also gonna revisit substance painter and see how it goes. Thanks for the suggestions!