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Let's start by selecting a map. Assign it as an Environment Map for the whole scene.

This could be done by drag-and-dropping the map from the ||Material Editor|| to the Environment Map slot in the Environment and Effects dialogue.

To open the dialogue, go to Rendering > Environment.

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Here is the rendered image of the scene, where we use a Gradient map as a global environment map. No environment override/priority is assigned and all the objects reflect the Gradient map.

Notice how the reflections from the global environment seen in the three objects are not very appealing. They are very bright and merge with the background.

We can change the reflections by assigning environment maps to each object, thus overriding the global environment.

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Let's assign different texture maps to the environment override materials of the teapot and the two trays. This could be done in the ||Material Editor|| > Material/Map Browser > Maps > V-Ray > V-Ray HDRIBitmap.

Connect the texture maps to the Environment slots of the respective materials.

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First, we assign a texture map only to the teapot.

This way we override the global environment in the reflection of the teapot.

The teapot now stands out in the background. However, the reflections from the teapot's environment in the trays are too distinctive. In addition, the trays are not visible in the background, so this is not the result we are after.

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Let's tackle that by assigning an environment map to the horizontal tray.

Now the reflection of the tray is more distinctive. However, the reflection from the environment of the teapot in the horizontal tray still does not look good. We want to soften its reflections.

To achieve a softer reflection, the environment priority option comes very handy. However, before moving to step 3, let's improve the reflection of the vertical tray as well.

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In the image above, the environment reflected in the vertical tray was too light. So, we assign an environment override to the vertical tray as well.

Currently, each object uses the environment map that was assigned to its material for all reflections.

Let's examine the result. Although, the reflections of both trays are distinctive now, the reflection of the teapot environment in them still attracts too much attention. We need to soften the look. This can be corrected by assigning environment priorities to the environment textures of the trays.

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Once the environment maps are set, assign an environment priority to each object's environment map.

To do so, select the object's material and go to the Options rollout in the Parameters. Set the environment priority for each object.

Set a higher priority to the environment that you want to prevail over another.

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