Creating lights in a scene

 
 
 

You must add lights to your scene to illuminate the model before you render it. You will create and position three spotlights to highlight the fur properties on the bear model (see the plan view below). Spotlights are used in this lesson because they can cast shadows.

The first spotlight will be positioned to the right of the model. The second spotlight will be positioned to the left of the model. The third spotlight will be positioned so it shines down onto the model from above.

To add lights to the scene

  1. Click Create > Lights > Spot Light > .

    The Create Spot Light Options window appears.

  2. Click Edit > Reset Settings, set the following attributes, and then click Create:
    • Intensity: 1.5

    A new spotlight is created at the origin, named spotLight1. By default, it is selected in the scene view. Check the Channel Box or the Attribute Editor to make sure the spotlight is selected.

  3. In the Channel Box, enter the following values to reposition the spotlight:
    • Translate X: -39
    • Translate Y: 12
    • Translate Z: 34
    • Rotate X: -5
    • Rotate Y: -49
  4. Click Create > Lights > Spot Light to create another spotlight at the origin.

    This new spotlight will be named spotLight2 and have the same intensity setting as the first spotlight.

  5. In the Channel Box, enter the following values to reposition the second spotlight:
    • Translate X: 25
    • Translate Y: 15
    • Translate Z: 35
    • Rotate X: -10
    • Rotate Y: 35
  6. Click Create > Lights > Spot Light > , set the following attribute, and then click Create:
    • Intensity: 0.5

    A third spotlight is created at the origin, called spotLight3.

  7. In the Channel Box, enter the following values to reposition the third spotlight:
    • Translate Y: 85
    • Translate Z: 7
    • Rotate X: -88

These three light sources will evenly illuminate the model: one will create a shadow once you have set fur shadowing attributes for the spotlights.