HDR Image Formats
Pixar's Log Format
Pixar has recognized the need for dynamic range in film recording, so they developed a 33-bit/pixel log encoding for RGB values, which is implemented as part of Sam Leffler's TIFF library. The encoding covers about 3.5 orders of magnitude, with 0.4% relative accuracy.
RADIANCE's RGBE Format
Since it's inception in 1987, the RADIANCE rendering system has used a 32-bit/pixel floating point format. The image format is described on the RADIANCE web site. The encoding covers about 76 orders of magnitude with 1% relative accuracy.
SGI's LogLuv Format
Sam Leffler's TIFF library includes a codec for a 32-bit/pixel logLuv encoding. Compared to the RADIANCE and Pixar encodings, this has the advantage of covering the full gamut of perceivable colors in imperceptible steps. The luminance range covers 38 orders of magnitude with 0.3% relative accuracy, and chroma errors never reach the visible threshold.
Industrial Light and Magic's OpenEXR
The file format was developed to overcome the limited dynamic range and colour precision in computer imaging applications. The specifications were published under an Open Source license, software and libraries are available under a modified BSD license.
IEEE 96 bit TIFF and Portable FloatMap
Info goes here...
JPEG-HDR
The JPEG-HDR file format was developed by Greg Ward to be backward compatible with existing software. It create very small files sizes.
Comparison
Format | Dynamic Range | Accuracy | Bits/pixel |
---|---|---|---|
RADIANCE RBGE | 76 | 1.0% | 8R + 8G + 8B + 8E |
Pixar Log TIFF | 3.8 | 0.4% | 11R + 11G + 11B |
LogLuv 24-bit | 4.8 | 1.1% | 10logL + 14(u',v') |
LogLuv 32-bit | 38 | 0.3% | 16logL + 2x8(u',v') |
ILM OpenEXR | 9.6 | 0.1% | 16R + 16G + 16B |
TIFF 48-bit | 5.4 | 1.0% | 16logR + 16logG + 16logB |
IEEE TIFF 96-bit | 79 | 32R + 32G + 32B |