Spotlight Use Question

inquire

Using DS 4.9.3.166, Macintosh, 64-bit, OS Sierra 10.12.3. Usually, I use an HDRI light. If I create a spotlight, I usually choose a rectangle at 100 x 100, or even 200 x 200 in dimensions. I position it at figures. I've tried turning up the lumens, from 1500 to 2500, or even 4500, to get more light. It just seems to create shadows and dark spots. What am I doing wrong? I guess there's no way to turn of shadows, is there?

Tobor

I'm not using your OS or that build, but it's normal for spotlights to produce more shadow and highlights. The light it casts is not meant to be uniform. Values of the kind you're providing are very low -- for a typical scene, 15-25K lumens are more typical. The larger the emitter, the more lumens you need, because the larger surface area is increasing the lit area. Spotlights and point lights are measured by their emittance, so a light that is cast into a larger area will appear more dim at any given luminance value.

Try moving the spotlight back or increasing its angle. Go for broke with a 40K luminance value. Depending on the specifics of the light even that may not be enough. Don't worry about the electric bill: Iray lights are cheap to run.

And no, there is no way to turn off shadows unless you switch to Interactive (from Photoreal) mode. That's a simpler mode that allows the control of shadows, but doesn't provide the same level of photorealism.

inquire

Hi, Tobor: Wanted to check out your suggestions before responding. You've been a big help. I used a 100 x 100 spotight, rectangular, at 40K. Worked well for  me, along with a HDRI light. Much thanks.