I've been searching for free HDR images to use in Carrara 6, but everything I've found so far has been in .hdr format.  Does anyone know of a free Image Converter that can convert .hdr to .bmp, .jpg, etc?

If you're searching on the net for HDR specifically, then it's no surprise that what you're finding has .hdr extensions. What you might be better off looking for is IBL images, which will probably come in jpeg format already.

If it is specifically HDR images you're after, then there's no point in converting to jpeg or other image formats, since you then lose the very thing you're looking for - the high dynamic range. jpegs, bmp, and so on all work in LDR, and so lose all the extra image info which HDR posesses.

JonTheCelt

Jon, thanks very much for the info.  :) 

I'm a bit clueless about HDRI lighting.  I'm just beginning to learn how to use it.  Actually, I feel a bit silly now...I just re-read the tutorial I've been using and I had completely missed the fact that you can use .hdr in Carrara.  blush

So, it looks like I'll be set with all those .hdr files I've found.  :)

Thanks again!

Everyone should have a good all around image program that will do almost anything you ask it to.   :D

There's one I've used since 1996 that is small and doesn't use resources and isn't complicated to use or understand....it's called Irfanview and many, many ppl use it.

It's at:   http://www.irfanview.net/
© 2007 by irfan skiljan 

And its free!

I agree with JonTheCelt though, about converting hdr to bmp or jpg.  It seems to me it would be a waste of time and a step backwards.  :)

Annie, thanks very much for the link to IRFANVIEW.  I have PSP8, but it looks like there are several formats in IRFANVIEW that PSP8 doesn't support.  So this should be quite useful!  I'm downloading as we speak.  :)

Well, that worked great!  I can now see what all my .hdr files look like before loading them into Carrara.

Thanks again Annie.  :)

You are welcome!
Irfanview will do lots of things my regular 3d and 2d software won't do when it comes to simple things like previewing files and making thumbnails in batches..it even plays music and movies if you be sure to get all the plugins for it..they are free also.

Good luck!