Creating and Editing a Light Source

You can create a light source to illuminate the objects you want to render.

This task shows you how to:

See Also
About Creating a Light Source

Create a Light Source

You can create a light source from a dedicated panel, or from the action bar.

  1. From the Live Rendering section of the action bar, do one of the following:
    • Manage Lights to open the Light Sources panel that lets you create, duplicate, remove, and position light sources.
    • or, click the arrow next to Manage Lights , and then select the physical light source to be created. In that case, the selected light illuminates the object in the work area. You can access the Light Sources panel afterward to modify the light source.
  2. In the Light Sources panel, click Create Light and then select the light type to be created.
    The selected light is created in the 3D area and in a dedicated node in the tree. A new row is also added to the Light Sources area (each light is named "Light.n", n being incremented for each new light you create).

    By default, lights are displayed in wireframe mode. To change the display mode, select Shaded in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > 3D Modeling > Styling > Rendering Scene Design > Display.

    Tips:
    • To change the light name, double-click the light symbol in the Light Sources panel, and then enter the new name in the editable box.
    • To change the light type, click the light symbol in the Light Sources panel, and then select the new type in the list.
    • To save space on your screen, click Minimize at the upper right of the Light Sources panel. To restore the panel, click the icon that is displayed on the left side of the work area.
  3. Use the handles to manipulate the light, or to modify the angle or the attenuation for example.
  4. To activate or deactivate a light created in Live Rendering, right-click it in the 3D area, and then select Hide/Show.

    You can also right-click the light in the 3D and then select Hide/Show.

    Important: Some active lights may not be seen in the work area even if they are defined as active. In that case, a warning sign identifies the light in the tree.

    On most platforms, you can see up to eight lights at the same time, however you can see more lights according to your graphics card.

  5. To deactivate a light created in Ambience Studio (displayed under the ambience node in the tree), right-click the light in the tree or in the 3D area, and then select Activate/Deactivate Light.
    The light symbol is displayed in black instead of yellow.

Edit a Light Source from the Light Sources Panel

You can edit light parameters from the Light Sources panel.

  1. In the Light Sources area, use the appropriate command to display or hide the light representation, duplicate a light, remove a light, or activate and deactivate it.
  2. In the Parameter area, define the light color and intensity.
  3. In the Shape area, define shape dimensions and angle values.
  4. In the Position area, define the light position and direction.
  5. In the Artistic Parameter area, define the light color, multiplier, and intensity.

Edit a Light Source from the Properties Dialog Box

You can edit light parameters in the Properties dialog box.

  1. To access the Properties dialog box, do one of the following:
    • In the tree or in the 3D area, right-click a light and then select Light object > Definition.
    • In the tree or in the 3D area, double-click a light.
  2. Modify the parameters according to your needs.
  3. Click OK.

Adjust a Light Direction

You can edit the parameters of a light direction.

  1. In the tree or in the 3D area, right-click the light and then select Position Direction .
    The Direction dialog box appears.
  2. Edit the light parameters according to your needs.
  3. To save your modifications, click OK.