9.4.  Lighting Effects

Revision History
Revision $Revision: 1738 $ 2007-01-02 j.h

9.4.1.  Overview

Figure 16.122.  The same image, before and after applying Lighting filter

The same image, before and after applying Lighting filter
The same image, before and after applying Lighting filter

You can find this filter through Filters → Light Effectsender → Lighting Effects

This filter simulates the effect you get when you light up a wall with a spot. It doesn't produce any drop shadows and, of course, doesn't reveal any new details in dark zones.

9.4.2.  Options

Preview

When Interactive is checked, parameter setting results are interactively displayed in preview without modifying the image until you click on OK button.

If Interactive is not checked, changes are displayed in preview only when you click on the Update button. This option is useful with a slow computer.

General Options

Figure 16.123.  “Lighting” filter general options

Lighting filter general options

Transparent Background

Transparent Background: Makes destination image transparent when bumpmap height is zero (height is zero in black areas of the bumpmapped image).

Create New Image

Create New Image: Creates a new image when applying filter.

High Quality Preview

High Quality Preview: For quick CPU...

Light

Figure 16.124.  “Light” Options of the Lighting filter

Light Options of the Lighting filter

In this tab, you can set light parameters. With Light 1, 2,...6: You can create six light sources and work on each of them separately.

Light Type

This filter provides several Light Types in a drop-down list:

Point: displays a blue point at center of preview. You can click and drag it to move light all over the preview.

Directional: the blue point is linked to preview center by a line which indicates the direction of light.

None: This deletes the light source (light may persist...).

Light Source Color

Light Source Color: When you click on the color dwell, you bring a dialog up where you can select the light source color.

Intensity

With this option, you can set light intensity.

Position

Position: Determines the light point position according to three coordinates: X coordinate for horizontal position, Y for vertical position, Z for source distance (the light darkens when distance increases). Values are from -1 to +1.

Direction

This option should allow you to fix the light direction in its three X, Y and Z coordinates.

Isolate

With this option, you can decide whether all light sources must appear in the Preview, or only the source you are working on.

Lighting Preset

You can save your settings with the Save and get them back later with the Open.

Material

Figure 16.125.  “Material” tab of the Lighting filter

Material tab of the Lighting filter

These options don't concern light itself, but light reflected by objects.

Small spheres, on both ends of the input boxes, represent the action of every option, from its minimum (on the left) to its maximum (on the right). Help pop ups are more useful.

Glowing

With these option, you can set the amount of original color to show where no direct light falls.

Bright

With this option, you can set the intensity of original color when hit directly by a light source.

Shiny

This option controls how intense the highlight will be.

Hell

With this option, higher values make the highlight more focused.

Metallic

When this option is checked, surfaces look metallic.

Bump Map

Figure 16.126.  “Bumpmap” options of the Lighting filter

Bumpmap options of the Lighting filter

In this tab, you can set filter options that give relief to the image.

Enable Bump Mapping

With this option, bright parts of the image will appear raised and dark parts will appear depressed. The aspect depends on the light source position.

Bump Map Image

Bump Map Image: You have to select there the grey-scale image that will act as a bump map.

Curve

Curve: Four curve types are available: Linear, Logarithmic, Sinusoidal and Spherical. See Bump Map plug-in for explanations.

Maximum Height

Maximum Height: This is the maximum height of bumps.

Environment Map

Figure 16.127.  “Environment map” options

Environment map options

Enable Environment Mapping

When you check this box, the following option is enabled:

Environment Image

Environment Image: You have to select there a RGB image, present on your screen.