Setting a new light source

Tool(s): Set Project Light

For each project, you can define the position, type of light and light target of as many artificial light sources as you need.

To set a new light source

1. Click Set Project Light (How).
   

   Activate Set Light for Project in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Change Presentation Animation

   • Toolbar: Change
   • Palette: Tools Change area in the following module(s):

   Animation

   • Shortcut menu: Navigation Mode selected - Right mouse button

   The Set project light palette opens.

2. Click New light at the bottom of the palette.

   The New palette opens.

3. As some parameters depend on the type of light, you will start by defining the type.

   Click in the Type of light list box and select the type you need:

   • Point light
     

     Point light is diffused evenly from a single light source in all directions.

     The intensity of the light drops the further away one is from the point. You can adjust the intensity of the light by increasing the black component.

   • Spotlight
     

     The spotlight is a directional light source. The light radiates in one direction from the source to the target.

     A pool of light forms around the target. The intensity of the light decreases the further the target is from the source.

     The intensity of the light drops the further away one is from the point. You can adjust the intensity of the light by increasing the black component.

     You can set an angle of between 1 and 179 degrees.

   • Conical light
     

     The conical light illuminates a clearly delimited area around the target. A pool of light forms around the target. The intensity of the light pool cast is uniform.

     The intensity of the light drops the further away one is from the point. You can adjust the intensity of the light by increasing the black component.

     You can set an angle of between 1 and 179 degrees.

   • Area
     

     Using the Area type of light, you can create area light sources diffusing light evenly in one direction, such as rows of lights in ceilings of large rooms.

     As with conical light and spotlight, you define the direction by placing an eye point and a target point. The light quantity depends on the size of the area and the Intensity set.

     A vertical line in the center of the area indicates the direction of light and its intensity. Using Angle, you can rotate the area about the vertical line. You can set an angle of rotation between -90 and 90 degrees.

     You can display the area with lights in rendered images.

     Important!
     Once you have defined a light source, you cannot change the Type of light later!

4. In the Light properties area, define the parameters for the type of light selected.
5. In the Shadow properties area, specify whether the light source is to cast shadows.
6. In the Edit area, check if the light source is on (indicated by a check mark in the Light status box).
7. Light source / Light target
   Define the position of the light source by clicking a point in the viewport or entering its coordinates in the dialog line.
   For Spotlight, Conical light and Area, define the target point of the light source in the same way.
8. Angle or point to define inclination
   For the Area type of light, enter the angle of inclination directly in the dialog line or click a point in the viewport.
9. Once you have defined a light source, the program hides the Light source palette again and displays the light source with a corresponding symbol:

   

   A Point light; displayed in plan, elevation and isometric view in the same way; on and off
   B Conical light; 60-degree angle (even light); displayed in plan, elevation and isometric view; on
   C Spotlight; 60-degree angle (brighter indoors than outdoors); displayed in plan, elevation and isometric view; on

10. Define another light source.

    Or:

    Press ESC to quit the tool.

Tip: After this, you can switch individual or all light sources on and off or adjust the light sources defined (see Switching lights on and off and Modifying artificial lighting).