Light Settings: Lighting

Access: Open this function from the following location:

Select View > Settings > Light Settings from the menu bar.
When the Lighting & Textures dialog is displayed, choose the Lighting tab in the dialog.

Control the lighting parameters used to illuminate the model (light sources and type and color of lights), as well as the textures and materials. These parameter settings affect the entire model.

The Lighting & Textures dialog is displayed, showing the Lighting tab:

Tabs:

Lighting

Lighting Parameters:

Light Position / Light Falloff

Examples of light settings

Light Settings

Load predefined light settings or save the current settings.

Light Settings	Imports settings from saved light setting files. The dropdown button opens a list of all the saved light settings (those supplied by Cimatron, and below them, the user-defined light settings). Selecting a setting applies all the parameter definitions saved in that setting.
	Save a light setting. See the Dialog Buttons below.

General Ambient

Set the general ambient light level. Ambient light is uniform, nondirectional light that illuminates all parts of the model equally. Ambient light ensures that shaded areas do not appear completely black in the image.

Use the slider to define the general ambient light intensity.

On/Off

Set the on/off state for individual lights and define the light source type. The tabs indicate the different lights located at different positions. YELLOW indicates the light is switched on; GRAY indicates the light is switched off.

Select a light number tag to define its parameters. For each light, press the On / Off toggle button to define its state.

See the Dialog Buttons below.

Type

Define the light source type. For each type, different parameters are available:

Directional

A light source, such as an interior lamp that radiates with uniform intensity in all directions from a specified point. When the light source is moved, the light icon changes to display the new source. The light cover indicates the light source. Directional light is displayed as shown in the example below.
Example:Example:

Positional

A light source that casts parallel rays of light on all parts of the model, such as the sun. The location of the light is specified, but it is used only to determine the direction of the parallel light rays. Positional light is displayed as shown in the example below.
Example:Example:

Spot

A light source that radiates in a cone from a specified point. When the light source is moved, the light icon changes to display the new source. The tip of the cone indicates the light source. Spot light is displayed as shown in the example below.
Example:Example:

Properties

Defines the ambient, diffusion, specularity, and color properties of the selected light.

Ambient	This light consists of uniform, non-directional light of any color that illuminates all parts of the model equally, without regard to direction, location of surfaces, or shading. Since all portions of the model receive some illumination, the depth of the shadows is reduced. Use the slider to define this property. Note: Use a fairly low intensity of ambient light. If the ambient light is too strong, the other light sources you have defined are likely to be washed out.
Diffuse	Light reflected from a diffuse surface is scattered equally in all directions, and results in a dull reflection. Use the slider to define this property.
Specular	Specular reflection reflects light in a narrow cone. Light reflected from a specular surface, such as a mirror, reflects light in one direction only. Use the slider to define this property.
Color	Define the color of the light. Lights can be custom-colored, according to the available colors in the color box, or colors can be selected from the Standard hexagonal palette.

Note: If you define only ambient light, there is no contrast. If there is only diffuse reflection, there are no highlights. If there is only specular reflection, the image displays highlights but is very dark. The greatest realism is displayed when you combine ambient, diffuse, and specular light properties.

Light Position / Light Falloff

Set the horizontal and vertical direction of the light.

Light Position	Sets the horizontal and vertical direction of the light (use the sliders to position the light source). You can also select the light onscreen by clicking the left mouse button (LMB) and dragging the light (this is recommended). Dragging a light changes its position parameters in the dialog.
Distance from Center	Displays the distance from the target and is enabled for spherical and spot lights.
Light Falloff	Light Falloff defines the weakening of the light as it travels away from the light source. Light falloff is enabled for Spherical and Spot lights.

Spot Parameters

Defines spot lighting effects, and includes cone angle, beam focus, and spot target.

Cone Angle

Defines the angle of the cone-shaped beam created by a spot light.

Beam Focus

Defines the weakening of the light the farther it is from the target (towards the outer sides of the beam cone).

Spot Target

Defines the location of the target point, which is where the spot light is directed at. The target point is marked on the screen by a green point. Note that you can change its position by also dragging the point on the screen (recommended). Spot light is displayed as shown in the example below.
Example:Example:

Scene Effects

Allows you to turn special effects on and off. These effects affect the entire scene (all the items on the screen).

Smooth Shading Example:Smooth Shading Example:

Smooth Shading - Off	Smooth Shading - On

Advanced

The Advanced Properties define the material properties of the part (how the part reflects light).

Dialog Buttons

The following buttons are displayed in the Lighting & Textures dialog:

Save a light setting. The Save Light Settings dialog is displayed.
Example:Example:

The Save Light Settings dialog shows the list of the light settings supplied by Cimatron and below them the user-defined light settings.

The following buttons are displayed in the dialog:

Rename

Rename: Rename the selected light setting. This option is only available for user-defined light settings.

Remove: Delete the selected light setting. This option is only available for user-defined light settings.

Save: Save the selected light setting with its current parameter settings.

Save New: Save a new light setting. The Save New Light Setting dialog is displayed:

The following buttons are displayed in the dialog:

	Save New: Save a new light setting. The new name is now displayed in the Save Light Settings dialog shown on the left.
	Cancel: Reject the settings and close the dialog.