Spot05449.pngSetting Spotlight rendering options

Command

Path

Set Spotlight Rendering Options

Spotlight > Visualization

The Set Spotlight Rendering Options command globally controls the lighting and rendering options for the model. The settings apply to all light sources in all new and existing lighting devices and all layers in the file.

Many of the parameters in the Set Spotlight Rendering Options dialog box are also available from the Set Lighting Options command and the Set Renderworks Background command.

Viewport settings are not modified by this command. It is recommended that you apply Renderworks styles to viewports; see Renderworks styles. The viewports will use the specified Renderworks background and lighting options from the active layer.

Set the parameters for the desired rendering effects; the dialog box defaults to the most commonly used settings for Spotlight rendering. For best results, it is recommended that you render the scene using the default Renderworks styles created for Spotlight: Preview Spotlight or Realistic Spotlight.

To set Spotlight rendering options:

Select the command.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Lighting Device Options

Sets the lighting options for all new and existing lighting devices in the drawing

Cast shadows

Creates shadows

Soft shadows

Creates more realistic shadows by decreasing hard edges; shadows appear softer the farther they travel. Gobos are not rendered.

Rendering is slower with this option enabled.

Lit fog

Creates volumetric lighting effects, such as a shaft of light in fog, haze, or smoke. A point light or spot light must be inserted in the drawing, and Lit Fog must be selected on the Object Info palette for the light source object.

Lit fog can be used with a Renderworks background for special effects; see Creating Renderworks backgrounds.

Distance Falloff

Select the distance falloff function (rate of intensity change while moving along the beam away from the light source) for a point, spot, custom, area, or line light

Background

Select the Renderworks background to apply

Indirect lighting

Indirect lighting models the transfer of light energy among drawing objects, as the light bounces around and affects the surroundings.

The more bounces specified, the more realistic the rendering, but also the more time required to render.

Select the level of indirect lighting to use for rendering:

None: Direct lighting only, for quick rendering.

Immediate Preview, Slow Resolve, 2 Bounces: If Fullscreen Preview is selected for Custom Renderworks Options or Renderworks Styles, provides an immediate full-screen preview at a very low resolution that is slow to resolve to final resolution; this is useful when working interactively on a design layer, but is not appropriate for producing final renderings.

Exterior, 3 Bounces: Three bounces of lighting is often enough to enhance exterior views.

Normal, 4 Bounces: Four bounces of indirect lighting is appropriate for exterior scenes and well-lit interiors.

Interior, 16 Bounces: Sixteen bounces of indirect lighting is suited for darkened or partially-lit interior scenes, or very detailed and complete indirect lighting.

Individual textures can override the indirect lighting settings to enhance a scene while reducing the rendering time required.

Ambient Light

Controls the ambient light options

On/Off

Turns the ambient light settings on or off

Color

Sets a default color for the ambient light; click the color box to select a color

Brightness (%)

Sets the ambient light brightness; drag the slider or enter a percentage value

Emitter Options

Controls the emitter options

Emitter Brightness (%)

Adjusts the brightness of all light objects with Use Emitter selected.

A recommended alternative method of adjusting all lights is to keep this setting at 100% and adjust the image exposure using the Renderworks Camera tool options instead.

White Color Temperature

Sets the white balance for any light sources with a color temperature. Select a color temperature that will appear white when rendered. Temperatures that are lower than the selected value will have an orange cast, while higher temperatures will have a blue tint. Select Custom to specify a temperature.

Custom (K)

If a Custom White Color Temperature is selected, enter the temperature in Kelvin

Notes

Provides tips and reminders for best results when rendering

Ambient light and sunlight

Applying Renderworks backgrounds

Managing lights and cameras with the Visualization palette

 

Was this page helpful?