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Eric. Just some thoughts. You may be overcomplicating your approach to things at this early stage. You seem to be involved with HDRI files which I (still )don't see a need for, there are some approaches to texturing and lighting and rendering, where you are trying to use the complexity of the available "solutions options" rather than leaving things to the basic default settings perhaps.
It's good to see the enthusiasm but, perhaps, taking a slower, one step at a time approach, may be better as a "learning curve" understanding.
I hope I am not being presumptious and that those thoughts are of help.
Brian
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