Adding Lights

[Hisako 100112]

i know there is default lights in the model window, but i wanted to change the lighting. how do i add lights to a model? or can it only be done in a choreography?

[Rodney]

I believe most people will tell you 'Don't add your Lights to the Model'.

While it certainly works its never been popular to add Lights to models.

People prefer to add them in an Action.

 

I've found adding lights in an Action is much more versatile.

For instance, you don't have to continually go into/out of Bones Mode to move your models.

As you are in an Action just grab 'em and go.

With Lights in Actions you can easily revert back to the lightless model too just by removing the Action or using the Model alone.

 

Having said that I'm still a fan of Lights in Models where it serves the purpose.

To get them added:

 

Right Click in the Modeling Window

New

Light

- Go into Bones Mode (Lights are considered bones for our purposes), grab your light and place it as needed.

- Go back into Modeling Mode

 

If a light is never going to move and will be of a constant intensity/color it should work well in the Model. You can animate the settings over time in an Action/Choreography of course. There may be other limits to its use that suggest you should apply them in an Action. I've forgotten those.

 

Try both methods out on a simple model and see what works best for you.

[phatso]

I've always put my lights in the model when and only when the model will always just be a model - e.g. not animated- and it's an isolated model, not part of a scene.