Autodesk 495B1-05A111-1301 - 3ds Max Design 2010, User Manual

Page: 282 / 916

Choosing the Type of Light
When you add a light to your scene, an Omni light is added by default. You
can change the light type and its properties, and add as many lights to your
scene as needed.
You can define physical properties for your light, depending on the type of
light you selected. There are three types of lights available.
Omni Simulates a point light source that casts rays in all directions from
the position of the light. Similar to a light bulb, where the light rays emanate
in all directions from the bulb.
Spotlight Casts rays in a cone, or four-sided pyramid, simulating a real
spotlight. This is useful for lighting a specific object or area and creating
sharp-edged shadows.
Directional Casts rays in a single direction, from a geometric area and is
useful for creating soft-edged shadows with both an umbra (a full shadow
where an object blocks all rays from a light) and a penumbra (a partial shadow
where an object blocks some of the rays).
To set attributes for a Spotlight:
1 Select the Lights tab.
2 Under Light Type, select the Spotlight light type.
3 Set the Spotlight properties.
Description Properties
The shape of the light can be a circle or rectangle. Shape
The angle where the solid cone of full intensity light ends and a gradual
fading begins. Hot Spot
Angle
The angle at which the light ends. Cutoff Angle
The aspect ratio of the spotlight shape. Aspect
270 | Chapter 12 Multilayer Compositing and 3D Effects