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 the action bar.

  1. From the Rendering Scene Design section of the action bar, click the appropriate light type in the flyouts to create physical (such as ) and nonphysical (such as ) light sources.
    The created light illuminates the object in the work area. Below is an example with a spot light.

    Wireframe is the default representation mode. To display the light in shading mode, select Shaded in the Light Representation preferences.

    Important: If an ambience is inserted in your scene, editing the ambience reference opens Ambience Studio that lets you use the Light Sources panel to create and manage light sources. For more information, see Edit a Light Source from the Light Sources Panel.
  2. Use the handles to manipulate the light, or to modify the angle or the attenuation for example.
  3. To activate or deactivate a light created in Rendering Scene Design, 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.

  4. 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.

When editing an ambience reference, you access Ambience Studio that lets you open 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.