Why are Specular lights coupled with UberEnvironment ?

vex3d_22560

I know the UE2 just provides a diffuse light, with no specularity, but what I don't understand is why its popular to pair a specular only light with a Distant Light and the UE2... Is it only me that seems to get outrageous shine on all my surfaces?

prixat

Do you set the Distant light to Diffuse only? Otherwise you're doubling up the specular values.

mjc1016

If UE2 is the only light in the scene, yes you will have no specular highlights.  You will need some other light, hence the common use of a distant light.  Three things need to happen to make it 'right'.  You need to match the direction to the 'sun'/strongest light position to the image used for lighting.  You also need to set it to specular only.  And you need to make sure it is casting shadows.  Then optionally, you need to adjust both its shadow strength and intensity.   Also, the specular color for the items will play a role...pure white will be 'too strong' for most things.

No distant light

Distant light

The specular color on all objects is less than pure white.