When
you first create a light, its illumination is unrestricted. That
is, depending on the light’s type and parameters, it can potentially
illuminate every surface in your scene.
You
may, however, want to restrict a light’s illumination by linking
it to a particular surface (or group of surfaces). If you link a
light to a surface, that surface is illuminated only by that light;
all other lights are ignored. If the link is non-exclusive, the
light also illuminates other surfaces. If the link is exclusive,
the light only illuminates the surface it is linked to.
You can link forces to
objects using the same method for linking lights to surfaces.
You can link a light
to a surface using either the Link Lights tool
in the Multi-lister, or the Light
Link Editor.
To link a light to a surface
using the Multi-lister
- Use Pick > Object to select the surface(s)
you want to link.
- In the Multi-lister,
select the light you want to link to the active surface(s).
See Link Lights in Render > Multi-lister .
- In the Multi-lister,
select Shading > Link Lights.
To link a light to a surface
using the Link Editor
- Use Pick > Object to select the surface(s)
and light(s) you want to link.
See Render > Editors > Light links .
- Select Render > Editors > Light links to open the Light
Link Editor.
All active lights and surfaces are listed in
the Components list (at the lowest
component level) and in the Picklist.
See Link in Render > Editors > Light links .
- Click the Link button
to link the lights and surfaces listed in the Picklist.
NoteAn alert box is displayed
if no lights or only lights are listed in the Picklist.
Make sure that your selection includes both lights and surfaces.
To view a light link in
the Objects window
- In the Multi-lister,
select the light you want view.
See List
Objects in Render > Multi-lister .
- In the Multi-lister,
select Shading > List Objects.
The Objects window appears, listing
all surfaces to which the active light is linked. Active objects
appear highlighted in the Objects window.
To view a light link in
the Link Editor
- Use Pick > Object to select the linked surface(s)
and light(s) you want to view.
See Render > Editors > Light links .
- Select Render > Editors > Light links to open the Light
Link Editor.
- Click the arrow (->)
beside the surface or light in the Components list.
All surfaces/lights linked to that light/surface are listed in the Current
Links list.
To remove a light link
using the Multi-lister (Method 1)
- Use Pick > Object to select the surface(s)
you want to unlink.
- In the Multi-lister,
select the light you want to unlink from the active surface(s).
See Unlink
Lights in Render > Multi-lister .
- In the Multi-lister,
select Shading > Unlink Lights.
To remove a light link
using the Multi-lister (Method 2)
- In the Multi-lister,
select the light you want to unlink.
- In the Multi-lister,
select Shading > List Objects.
The Objects window appears, listing
all surfaces to which the active light is linked. Active objects
appear highlighted in the Objects window.
- Hold the key and click the names
in the Objects window until all objects
are highlighted.
See Unlink
Lights in Render > Multi-lister .
- In the Multi-lister,
select Shading > Unlink Lights.