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Directional light properties

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. Click the color tile to open the Color Chooser window and edit the color.

Intensity

  Specifies the strength or brightness of the light source.

Scale

  Scales the light object in the 3D View (visible when Show Light is on). Has no effect on the light intensity.

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 display 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 a light object in the 3D View to indicate location and direction, depending on the light type. A point light displays as a sphere, while a directional light displays as a set of arrows indicating light direction.

Shadows

NoteTo enable shadows for a model in the 3D View, ensure the Cast Shadows property (Light properties) and the Receive Shadows property (Material properties) for the assigned material are turned on.

Cast Shadows

  Sets whether the light casts shadows. (Point light sources do not cast shadows).

Depth Map Bias

  Offsets the depth map towards or away from the light. Adjust 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 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 resolution increases the amount of texture memory on your graphics card and can affect interactive performance. In general, set the Depth Map Resolution to the lowest value that produces shadows of acceptable quality.

Related topics

Create and edit lights