Loading...
> >

How do I create a SHARP spotlight in IRAY?

42raingod_4964ca5b1a42raingod_4964ca5b1a Posts: 42
in New Users

More specifically, I want a spotlight with a sharp outer edge. I've seen some videos and threads about softening the shadows within a spotlight but nothing on sharpening the edge of one. Any suggestions on how to accomplish this?

Thanks!

Comments

  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479
    42raingod_4964ca5b1a said:

    More specifically, I want a spotlight with a sharp outer edge. I've seen some videos and threads about softening the shadows within a spotlight but nothing on sharpening the edge of one. Any suggestions on how to accomplish this?

    Thanks!

    I think I did something like what you're looking for in this image. Does that look like what you need? (I'm looking up the settings I used now…)

  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479

    Okay, I'm back.

    I used Iray in the image I linked above, and the main light in the image is a photometric Spotlight. Photometric will be set On by default, if you load the spotlight while Iray is the active render engine, (which is the default.)

    There are two parameters that had the most effect on the spotlight in the previously linked image:

    1. Beam Exponent: I set this value to 100, (the default is 4.) This made the light brighter, but also spread it out more.
    2. Spread Angle: I set this to 80, (the default is 60.) Lower values make the spot smaller and the edge between light and dark "sharper," (although not truly sharp.)

    I recommend you set the Beam Exponent to 100 and then experiment with the Spread Angle. You'll want the light to be large enough to encompass the subject, I'd expect, but otherwise as small as possible. The shadows with this setup will be very sharp.

    I tested to see if the distance from the spotlight and the subject affected the beam of light and I didn't see any difference. It might make a difference if you want an obstruction between the light and the subject, to cast a shadow on the subject, but I didn't test for that.

  • 42raingod_4964ca5b1a42raingod_4964ca5b1a Posts: 42

    What i'm looking for is a circle of light with Hard Edge - not one that gradually fades to the outer edge. I will try your suggestion though - thanks!

  • 42raingod_4964ca5b1a42raingod_4964ca5b1a Posts: 42

    An example I did in Poser a long time ago:

    SpotlightExample.jpg
    1000 x 1600 - 313K
  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479

    I think that's going to be difficult to achieve in Iray, which is trying to emulate real world light. I don't know enough about 3Delight to know if it's possible with that render engine.

    I do have some ideas of how you can create the illusion of a hard edge. Can you be more specific about what you're trying to accomplish? Maybe I can help, if I know the end goal.

  • 42raingod_4964ca5b1a42raingod_4964ca5b1a Posts: 42

    I just posted an example :)

  • Sven DullahSven Dullah Posts: 7,621
    edited September 2019
    L'Adair said:

    I think that's going to be difficult to achieve in Iray, which is trying to emulate real world light. I don't know enough about 3Delight to know if it's possible with that render engine.

    Definitely possible in 3DL, with an AoA spot. I don't know enough about IRay to be able to come up with something specific, but thinking maybe it's also possible in IRay to use a mask or gel on the spot?

    Quick test with a gel, you can scale and blur it if needed. This is with 0% blur:

    image

    AoA spot with gel.png
    800 x 450 - 34K
    Post edited by Sven Dullah on
  • macleanmaclean Posts: 2,438

    In Iray, the trick is to make the geometry size as small as possible. A Disc of 1x1 is a good start. Remember that distance from light to background is also a factor. The closer the light, the sharper the shadow.

    You may want to take a look at Fashion Studio It could be of some use to you if you're doing a lot of this.

    Btw, if you absolutely can't get the effect you want with a light, you could maybe use a panel with a circle cut out of it, or some sort of transmap to cast a circular shadow.

  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479
    42raingod_4964ca5b1a said:

    I just posted an example :)

    I see we posted at the same time. And I see folks with a lot more experience then me have come to your aid.

    My ideas wouldn't work very well with the combination of horizontal and vertical surfaces, (if they'd have worked at all.) But I see you also don't need as sharp a line as I thought.

    It will be interesting to hear what ended up working for you. I hope you'll post that in here.

  • 42raingod_4964ca5b1a42raingod_4964ca5b1a Posts: 42

    Maclean: When L'Adair suggested "create the illusion of a hard edge" my very first thought was a setting a wall with a hole in it directly in front of the spotlight.

    L'Adair: Yeah, messing with those dials only really affected the core of the beam.

    Sven: Thanks for showing me that!

    Thanks everyone! If I can get it working, I'll post it here!

     

     

Sign In or Register to comment.