Hakan Acarel - Cinematic Lighting for Product Animations.

I’m Hakan Acarel, a 3D Motion Designer and Creative Director from Germany, specializing in product animations and Film & TV motion graphics. As a Maxon Certified Pro and Adobe Certified Video Professional, I’ve worked with top German and U.S. media outlets, creating CAD-based digital twins for brands and designing title sequences and show packages.

Creating a Cinematic Experience

For the Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt Microphone project, I began with a CAD file, often needing to clean it up or add missing elements like PCBs for explosion shots or the wire grille typically absent in CAD models. In this case, I polygon-modeled the iconic MD421 from scratch for the opening transition shot of the animation (shown on my Behance page). HDR Light Studio played a crucial role in achieving the high-end look the client desired. 

Using Cinema 4D as my main 3D application, I relied on Redshift for product renders and Octane for cinematic title sequences. After Effects brought everything together, adding effects like reactive soundwaves.

The Impact of Lighting on My Creative Process

Good lighting can turn a mediocre 3D model into something very decent, while poor lighting can ruin even the best model. Lighting makes the image and sets the mood. 

Before discovering HDR Light Studio, I relied on Cinema 4D’s native tools. After testing HDR Light Studio, I quickly realized it was the best tool for achieving professional, high-quality results. I never looked back after purchasing my license.

Streamlining Workflow and Achieving Photorealism

There is no better tool, plain and simple! Its seamless functionality, robust presets, and regular updates — like the innovative Scrim Light — make it an indispensable asset for any designer. The combination of features has made HDR Light Studio central to my custom workflow. I rely on tools like Light Paint and the ability to promote lights to Area Lights within Cinema 4D. I’m using a combination of an HDR image and Area Lights attached to my camera to compose each shot for my animations.  I can freely rotate and create dynamic, complex animations without losing the perfect lighting setup.

The speed and ease of use have drastically improved my process. My clients often ask about the "secret" to my product animation lighting, and here it is: I start with a regular still image lighting setup for mood, then promote all main lights (Fill, Rim, Key etc) as Area Lights and attach them to the camera. This allows me to rotate freely, avoid gimbal lock, and execute smooth speed ramps, all while retaining consistent lighting. This technique bridges the gap between still renders and animations, ensuring that my lighting translates perfectly across both. You can see this workflow in action on my Behance project page.

Custom Lighting Maps and the Competitive Edge

In the fast-paced world of animation, where iteration is key and perfecting each shot can take countless revisions, the ability to quickly adapt and refine lighting is essential. Unlike artists focused on still renders, animators like myself need to find the perfect angle and lighting faster than ever. HDR Light Studio has been a game-changer in this respect, offering instant feedback that allows me to quickly test and adjust lighting, ensuring I can create shots efficiently without sacrificing quality.

HDR Light Studio has played a pivotal role in the success of my career. Over the years, clients have consistently noted that my lighting stands out compared to other artists they’ve worked with, and a significant part of that distinction comes from using this tool. This attention to detail enhances the photorealism and quality of my animations, ensuring that I always deliver something special to my clients.

"The ability to create custom HDR lighting maps has been especially valuable. While many artists rely on pre-made HDR environments, I prefer the control and uniqueness that comes with crafting my own. Custom maps not only ensure my work is optimized for each shot, but they also give me a competitive edge - nobody can replicate my lighting by simply using a standard HDR pack." 

Evolving with New Technologies and Creative Possibilities

As I integrate Houdini into my workflow, I’m excited to explore how HDR Light Studio’s custom HDR maps will enhance organic simulations like liquid, smoke, and debris. The ability to seamlessly blend these powerful tools will open up new creative possibilities for my animations.

Looking ahead, I’m confident HDR Light Studio will continue to evolve, staying ahead of trends and adapting to the future of 3D lighting. Tools like the Scrim Light already show the innovation driving the tool, and I’m excited to see what’s next. With its solid roadmap and commitment to improvement, HDR Light Studio will remain a key part of my creative process as 3D lighting continues to push boundaries.

A Final word on Elevating Your 3D Lighting

"My advice to any 3D artist considering HDR Light Studio is simple: get it, and don’t think twice. Lighting is everything a mediocre 3D scene can look fantastic with the right lighting. HDR Light Studio makes achieving perfect lighting effortless, and it has been a game-changer in my own career. The impact on my work has been immense, and I can’t emphasize enough how much it has elevated my projects and workflow." - Hakan Acarel

Hakan Acarel - 3D Motion Designer and Creative Director 

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Hakan Acarel for his continued loyalty as a valued customer and for his long-term support of our software. 

Be sure to check out his new YouTube channel, where you'll find an incredible training video on how to create a flawless 3D microphone grille in Cinema 4D: Watch Here. While you're there, don't forget to Subscribe, Hakan will soon be sharing an in-depth look at how he sets up his lighting scenes in HDR Light Studio for this project.

To explore more of Hakan's exceptional work, visit www.acarel.com or check out his stunning portfolio on Behance.