A directional
light source simulates a very distant point light source. Its light
rays are parallel to each other, as if emitted perpendicular from
an infinitely large plane.
NoteThe total number
of lights in a scene cannot exceed 8.
- Diffuse Color
-
Specifies the diffuse
color of the light. The color can be edited by clicking the color
tile and using the Paint Tool Color window.
- Intensity
-
Specifies the strength
or brightness of the light source.
- Scale
-
Scales the light icon
in the 3D View. It has no effect on
the light intensity. This can be useful when using large or small
scale models in the scene.
- Locked To Camera
-
Locks the position of
the light source to the camera. When the camera is rotated or tumbled,
the effect of the light (specular highlight) changes relative to
the model’s surface.
- Show Manipulator
-
Displays the light’s transformation
manipulator. The manipulator that gets displayed depends on the
light type. For a point light, a move manipulator appears to let
you reposition the location in X, Y, Z. For a directional light
source a rotate manipulator appears to let you rotate the direction
of the light source.
- Show Light
-
Displays the light’s
icon to determine its location and direction depending on the light
type. For a point light, a sphere icon appears. For a directional
light a set of arrows appears to indicate the direction of the light
source.
- Shadows
-
The following describes the
shadow properties for a directional light:
- Cast Shadows -
Specifies whether the light casts shadows. (Point light sources
do not cast shadows).
NoteTo enable shadows
for a model in the 3D View you must ensure both
the Cast Shadows property (Light properties)
as well as the Receive Shadows property (Material properties)
on the assigned material are selected.
- Depth Map Bias -
Offsets the depth map towards or away from the light. Adjust the Depth
Map Bias only if you encounter the following problems:
If dark spots or streaks appear on illuminated surfaces, gradually
increase the value until the spots or streaks disappear. If a shadow
appears to be detached from the shadow casting surface, gradually
decrease the value until the shadow appears correct.
- Depth Map Resolution -
Specifies the resolution of the light’s shadow depth map. Values
are preset at 64 x 64, 128 x 128, 256 x 256, 512 x 512, 1024 x 1024,
2048 x 2048, 4096 x 4096. Increasing the depth map’s resolution
increases the amount of texture memory on your computer’s graphics
card and may affect interactive performance. In general, set the Depth
Map Resolution to the lowest value that produces shadows
of acceptable quality.