The Lights Tab
Use the following procedure to add an artificial light to your drawing:
- Draw and position the object which will serve as your light source. Once this object is tagged as a light source, it will emit light in the pattern you choose.
- Use the New Light dropdown button on nXtRender's Lighting tab to select a pattern for your light. Four patterns are available:
- Omnidirectional distributes light in all directions equally.
- The Spot pattern provides a beam which you can focus.
- Diffuse provides an approximation of a recessed light with a diffuser or baffles.
- The Photometric pattern allows you to use a manufacturer's .ies goniometry file to describe the distribution.
- When prompted select your object (the Photometric pattern will first prompt you for your .ies file.)
- Provide a name for your light.
- Hit enter to accept default values for the other prompts.
Additional Notes:
- By default, all lights will direct their light straight down. Depending on your scene, you may need to aim your light in a different direction. Before you begin the aiming process, it is often easier to have a target object to snap to. Right click on the light in the list, and select Aim < to aim your light. The different patterns will have different prompts to follow.
- To change the properties of your light, right click on the light in the list and select Properties.
- Click here for additional information on using IES (photometric) lights .
Video Tutorial
Interior Lights Video
Watch Video efA5Z-sPGpg
In this Video, Daniel will show you how to convert existing geometry in your model to lights, and to place new lamps into your model using nXtRender for AutoCAD.