Directional Parameters

Command entry:Create a standard Target Direct or Free Direct light.

Directional Parameters rollout

The Directional Parameters rollout appears when you create or select a target direct or free direct light. These parameters control hotspots and falloff.

Procedures

To see the directional cone in viewports:

The cone is always visible while the light is selected. This setting keeps the cone visible when the light is unselected.

To adjust the hotspot and falloff:

Use the Hotspot and Falloff spinners to increase or decrease the size of the hotspot and falloff regions. For directional lights, Hotspot and Falloff are expressed in units.
By default, the falloff value is always constrained to be at least two degrees or two units greater than the hotspot value. The size of this constraint is a preference that you can change in the Rendering panel of the Preferences dialog. The falloff value can range from 0 to 10,000 units.

When the hotspot and falloff values are equal, the light casts a hard-edged beam.

To set the shape of the light beam:

Choose either Rectangle or Circle.
The shape of the light's cone changes to reflect the shape you chose.
If you chose Circle, you are done. If you chose Rectangle, you can now adjust the aspect ratio of the rectangular light using the spinner labeled Aspect.

To change a rectangular light's aspect ratio:

Choose Rectangle, as described above.
Change the Aspect value to the aspect ratio that you want.
The Bitmap Fit button is another way to set the aspect ratio. It is mainly used with projections.

Interface

Light Cone group

These parameters control hotspots and falloff for spotlights.

Show Cone: Turns display of the cone on or off.

NoteThe cone is always visible when a light is selected, so clearing this check box has no apparent effect until you deselect the light.
Overshoot: When Overshoot is set, the light casts light in all directions. However, projections and shadows occur only within its falloff cone.
Hotspot/Beam: Adjusts the size of a light's cone. The Hotspot value is measured in 3ds Max units. Default=43.0.
Falloff/Field: Adjusts the size of a light's falloff. The Falloff value is measured in 3ds Max units. Default=45.0.

You can also adjust hotspot and falloff angles in a Light viewport (looking at the scene from the point of view of the spotlight).
Circle/Rectangle: Determine the shape of the falloff and hotspot areas. Set Circle when you want a standard, circular light. Set Rectangle when you want a rectangular beam of light, such as light cast through a window or doorway.
Aspect: Sets the aspect ratio for the rectangular light beam. The Bitmap Fit button lets you make the aspect ratio match a specified bitmap. Default=1.0.
Bitmap Fit: If the light's projection aspect is rectangular, sets the aspect ratio to match a particular bitmap. This is useful when you are using the light as a projector light.