More about Creating a Light Source

Light Sources

This section shows you the different types of light sources.

Light sources created in the Realistic Rendering workbench are supported in:

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Presentations created using DMU Navigator. Refer to the section in the Version 6 - DMU Navigator User's Guide: DMU Presentation.

	Create Spot Light	Allows you to create a light source with a conical shape emitting the light isotropically inside a cone of influence determined by the privileged direction of illumination (forming the axis of revolution) and the angle that the edge of the cone forms with this axis.They are mainly used to simulate spot light (the most frequently used lights) and are useful for tuning the lighting of each object individually.
	Create Point Light	Allows you to create a light source situated at a given point, emitting light isotropically. This light source type is mainly used to simulate light bulb for instance.
	Create Directional Light	Allows you to create a light source coming from a given direction, generating constant intensity parallel lighting. This light source type is mainly used to simulate a global lighting as the sun does.
	Create Rectangular Area Light	Allows you to create an area light source with a rectangular shape, just as a rectangular spot light would do.
	Create Disk Area Light	Allows you to simulate spot lights, very useful for tuning the lighting of each object individually.
	Create Sphere Area Light	Allows you to simulate a light bulb but in a softer and more realistic way than the point light does.
	Create Cylinder Area Light	Allows you to simulate neons light.
	Create Physical Spot Light	Allows you to create a conical shaped light source with a more realistic aspect.
	Create Physical Point Light	Allows you to create a light source situated at a given point, emitting light isotropically with a more realistic aspect.
	Create Physical Sun Light	Allows you to create a light source coming from a given direction, generating constant intensity parallel lighting with a more realistic aspect.
	Create Photometric Light	Allows you to create a conical shaped light source with a more realistic aspect by importing a light.

Light Symbols

This section provides information on light symbols.

When clicking anywhere in the geometry area you can see the light symbol.


Spot light	Punctual light	Directional light	Rectangular Area light	Disk Area light	Sphere Area light	Cylinder Area light	Physical Spot light	Physical Point light	Physical Sun light	Photometric light

Direction vector represents the privileged direction of illumination of the source for spot and directional light sources. It is visualized by an arrow whose origin is the anchoring point of the source.
Anchoring point is the position of the light source and is represented by a small star. When the source is characterized by a direction, the anchoring point coincides with the origin of the arrow. In the case of a spot or punctual light source, the anchoring point physically localizes the source. In the case of a directional light source, it can be used (with the target point) to define the illumination direction.

When clicking Photometric Light, a dialog box appears, allowing you to import a file (by clicking From File and then Import.

The Viewpoint toolbar

This toolbar allows you to go to the next view or go back to the previous view.

	Previous view	When in the light view, allows you to go back to the original view.
	Next view	When in the original view, allows you to switch to the light view.

Light in the Contextual Menu

You can access options for light by right-clicking the light source in the specification tree then selecting the corresponding contextual command :

	Light View	Allows you to display the light source viewpoint.
	Update From View	Allows you to adjust the light source when the viewpoint is modified.
	Toggle Light Attachment	Allows you to attach the light source to the model or to the viewpoint. Moving the viewpoint moves the light source along the model.
	Position along Normal	Allows you to position the light source along a perpendicular to the point you click on the object in the geometry area. You can hold down the left-mouse button and keep on moving the cursor to find the best position. When satisfied, release the mouse button.
	Position Specular	Allows you to tune the specular effect but also to analyze surfaces (curves). You can hold down the left-mouse button and keep on moving the cursor to find the best position. When satisfied, release the mouse button.
	Position Direction	Allows you to position quickly the light direction and to manipulate in a very precise way your light source along predefined circles that are centered on the light target. You can move the light position step-by-step by pressing the Ctrl key then dragging your mouse simultaneously.