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Lights

Light Tool Palette

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The Light tool palette provides a means to define light sources for photo rendering. The Light Palette contains 7 light tools: Distant, Spot, Point, Sphere, Strip, Area, and Laser

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Distant Light

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A distant light illuminates a scene with parallel rays of light as if they emanated from a very distant source. The sun is a distant light source. A distant light is defined by two user-specified points that define the light’s location and direction. The exact distance is not important. Only the light’s intensity and direction are used to determine its contribution to a scene.

A distant light appears as a wireframe cylinder with an arrow pointing along the centerline. If Edit:Show points is ON, the center line is extended from the location point to the direction point.

In the Inspector, the distant light Object Properties control the setting of the light's intensity, activation, and shadow-casting behavior.

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Distant Lights

Using the Distant Light Tool

  1. Select the Distant Light option from the tool palette.

  2. Click the first point for light location.

  3. Click the second point for light direction relative to the first point.

  4. Change intensity from the data entry window or Edit dialog

Spot Lights

A spotlight illuminates a scene with a cone of light emanating from a local source. A flashlight is a type of spotlight. A spotlight is defined by two points that specify the light’s location and direction. The distance of the light may be important.

A spotlight appears as a wireframe outer and inner cone with an arrow pointing along the centerline. If Edit : Show Points is ON, the centerline is extended from the location point to the direction point and the sides of the cone are extended to a plane normal to the direction at the direction point.

The spotlight Object Properties page has controls for setting the light’s intensity, attenuation, activation, shadow casting behavior, cone angle, falloff angle, falloff rate, and slide image.

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Spot Light

Using the Spot Light tool

  1. Select the SpotLight option from the tool palette.

  2. Click the first point for light location.

  3. Click the second point for light direction relative to the first point.

  4. Change intensity from the data entry window or Edit dialog

Point Light

A Point Light illuminates a scene with light emanating in all directions from the light’s location. A candle or a table lamp is a type of point light.

A point light is defined by one point which specifies the light’s location. The distance of the light to geometry may be important, depending on its attenuation setting. A point light appears as a wireframe sphere with double-headed arrows pointing outward. If Edit : Show points is ON, the light’s location point is highlighted.

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Point Light and Info Page

Using the Point Light tool

  1. Select the Point Light option from the tool palette.

  2. Click the point for light location.

  3. Change intensity from the data entry window or Edit dialog

Sphere Lights

A sphere light is a spherical light source that emits light uniformly in all directions from its surface. This type of light is useful for creating soft, ambient lighting and can mimic light sources such as light bulbs or spherical lanterns.

Using the Sphere Light tool

  1. Select the Sphere Light option from the tool palette.

  2. Click the location for light location.

  3. Change intensity from the data entry window or Edit dialog

Strip Light

The Strip Light models neon lights, strip lights, and other sources which emit light from a line-like object.

Using the Strip Light tool

  1. Select the Strip Light option from the tool palette.

  2. Click the first point for light location.

  3. Click the second point for light direction relative to the first point.

  4. Change intensity from the data entry window or Edit dialog

Area Light

The Area Light models light emission from an area in space rather than a single point. An area light is a versatile and commonly used light source that simulates light emanating from a defined surface. This type of light is essential for achieving realistic lighting in 3D scenes because it can mimic various real-world lighting conditions, such as windows, soft boxes, or fluorescent panels.

Using the Area Light tool

  1. Select the Area Light option from the tool palette.

  2. Click the face or object from where you want to omit light.

  3. Change intensity from the data entry window or Edit dialog

Laser Light

A laser light is a specialized light source that emits light in a highly collimated beam, characterized by its intensity and focus. It is ideal for creating effects where precision and intensity are required, such as scientific simulations, special effects, or artistic renders.

Using the Laser Light tool

  1. Select the Laser Light option from the tool palette.

  2. Click the first point for the laser light.

  3. Click the second point to specify the direction.

  4. Change intensity from the data entry window or Edit dialog