Difference between revisions of "Bethesda Tutorial Lights and FX"
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|espInitial=LDOptimizationTutorialComplete.esp | |espInitial=LDOptimizationTutorialComplete.esp | ||
|espCompleted=LDLightingTutorialComplete.esp | |espCompleted=LDLightingTutorialComplete.esp | ||
|videoCompanion= | |videoCompanion=http://youtu.be/5fZoIpKcJ6I?hd=1 | ||
}} | }} | ||
=Overview= | =Overview= | ||
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* '''Shadow-Casting Omni''' | * '''Shadow-Casting Omni''' | ||
This type of light casts a sphere of light, just like a regular omni, but casts shadows. Shadow-casting lights can be identified by a purple axis, seen in ''Fig 8.1b.''. Shadows generate additional polygons and only four can be visible at any given time, so be careful of how many of these you use. Too many shadow-casting lights will quickly cause performance problems and visual bugs. | This type of light casts a sphere of light, just like a regular omni, but casts shadows. Shadow-casting lights can be identified by a purple axis, seen in ''Fig 8.1b.''. Shadows generate additional polygons and only '''four''' can be visible at any given time, so be careful of how many of these you use. Too many shadow-casting lights will quickly cause performance problems and visual bugs. | ||
* '''Spotlight''' | * '''Spotlight''' | ||
Spotlights cast light in a single direction and are useful for when you need a focused light, like with a skylight. All spotlights are shadow-casting lights, and therefore should be used frugally. (''Fig 8. | Spotlights cast light in a single direction and are useful for when you need a focused light, like with a skylight. All spotlights are shadow-casting lights, and therefore should be used frugally. (''Fig 8.1c'') | ||
* '''Hemispherical''' | * '''Hemispherical''' | ||
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In practice, however, lighting for games is a meticulous art. The power and importance of good lighting cannot be over-stated, and the Creation Engine provides creators with more tools than ever before to create spaces that are not just beautifully lit, but also serve as a design tool for guiding players and creating emotional impact. | In practice, however, lighting for games is a meticulous art. The power and importance of good lighting cannot be over-stated, and the Creation Engine provides creators with more tools than ever before to create spaces that are not just beautifully lit, but also serve as a design tool for guiding players and creating emotional impact. | ||
Lights can be located in the [[Object Window]], in '''WorldObjects > Lights'''. From here, they can simply be dragged into the [[Render Window]], just like static art. Be sure that | Lights can be located in the [[Object Window]], in '''WorldObjects > Lights'''. From here, they can simply be dragged into the [[Render Window]], just like static art. Be sure that Markers are visible (''"M" hotkey''), Light Markers are on with "CTRL+I", and that lighting preview is also toggled on with the "'''A'''" hotkey or toolbar button: [[File:Jb_MainLights.jpg]] | ||
Shadow rendering must also be enabled in the preferences. File->Preferences->Shaders, check the box for shadows, click apply. | Shadow rendering must also be enabled in the preferences. File->Preferences->Shaders, check the box for shadows, click apply. | ||
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* There are many attributes of lights that can be set on both the [[Light|base object]] itself and the Light tab within the properties of an individual reference. | * There are many attributes of lights that can be set on both the [[Light|base object]] itself and the Light tab within the properties of an individual reference. | ||
In Object Window, filter by '''Default*'''. Place '''DefaultTorch01NS''' near FXfireWithEmbersHeavy, adjust brightness and area of affect, see ''Fig 8.1a'' for reference. For lanterns and candle lights you can use '''DefaultCandleLight01NS''' such as in ''Fig 8.1b'' (for tight group of candles, it is recommend to stick with one light object). If you want the light to flicker more you can select *_Fast or *_SuperFast types from the Object Window, or if you want steady light then select *_NoMove. Experiment with the different lights. | |||
<gallery widths="290px" heights="210px" perrow="3"> | <gallery widths="290px" heights="210px" perrow="3"> | ||
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# Now try dragging the same object near a shadow-casting light. It inherits the directional/ambient light of the cell, but not the light. | # Now try dragging the same object near a shadow-casting light. It inherits the directional/ambient light of the cell, but not the light. | ||
# Keeping FXMistLow01 selected, call up the '''Reference Batch Action''' menu with the "'''-'''" (minus) hotkey. Your selected FX object(s) will appear in the left-side list. | # Keeping FXMistLow01 selected, call up the '''Reference Batch Action''' menu with the "'''-'''" (minus) hotkey. Your selected FX object(s) will appear in the left-side list. | ||
# Select the "'''Set | # Select the "'''Set external emittance'''" radio button. | ||
# | # Under the "Interior Light" dropdown menu, choose "DefaultCandleLight01". | ||
## The "''Reference''" field should display the name of the light you selected. Double-check to make sure you didn't accidentally select some other object. | ## The "''Reference''" field should display the name of the light you selected. Double-check to make sure you didn't accidentally select some other object. | ||
# Click the "'''Do'''" button in the lower-right corner. | # Click the "'''Do'''" button in the lower-right corner. | ||
# Note the change in the coloration of the FX mist object. | # Note the change in the coloration of the FX mist object. | ||
{{WarningBox|Only use this method around shadow casters, because external emittance will prevent the mist from being affected by any other light - including the player's spell effects or torch. To make sure your external emittance shows up in the render window, be sure FX preview is active:[[File:Jb_MainFX.jpg]]}} | |||
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You can preview how the time of day will affect this light by going to '''file > preferences''' or right-clicking in the Render Window and choosing "Render Window Preferences" from the context menu. Select the "Render Window" tab. In the section labelled "'''Time/Day of Month'''", adjust the slider to change the time of day in the render window. (''"Fig. 8.3c"'') You can then place a regular omni light near the beam and assign emittance to that as well. Try using "'''FXLightRegionSunlightWhite'''" which will cast white light, but allow the fx to keep its blue tint. Don't forget to press '''"M"''' to toggle the markers to see what the light will look like without markers cluttering up the window. | You can preview how the time of day will affect this light by going to '''file > preferences''' or right-clicking in the Render Window and choosing "Render Window Preferences" from the context menu. Select the "Render Window" tab. In the section labelled "'''Time/Day of Month'''", adjust the slider to change the time of day in the render window. (''"Fig. 8.3c"'') You can then place a regular omni light near the beam and assign emittance to that as well. Try using "'''FXLightRegionSunlightWhite'''" which will cast white light, but allow the fx to keep its blue tint. Don't forget to press '''"M"''' to toggle the markers to see what the light will look like without markers cluttering up the window. | ||
{{ProTip|Markers can get in the way when you're trying to precisely positions lights and FX objects. Keep in mind, however, that these objects remain selected when hidden. This means you can still use [[Bethesda_Tutorial_Creation_Kit_Interface#Gizmos|gizmos]] after you've toggled markers with "M". You can also toggle "M" while holding the left mouse button to drag a light. These tricks make it easier to fine-tune your ambiance without markers cluttering up your view.}} | |||
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="3"> | <gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="3"> | ||
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=Lighting Templates and Imagespaces= | =Lighting Templates and Imagespaces= | ||
Another important element behind establishing the correct mood for your interior will be choosing the most appropriate | Another important element behind establishing the correct mood for your interior will be choosing the most appropriate '''[[Lighting Template]]''' and worldspace. | ||
To set the lighting template in a cell, right-click on the cell name in the [[Cell View]] window and select "''Edit''", or go to '''World > Cells''' from the main menu and manually navigate to ''LokirsTomb''. Click on the "Lighting" tab ''(Fig 8.4a)''. Here you can change the lighting template here to see what kind of effect it has on the scene in the render window. | To set the lighting template in a cell, right-click on the cell name in the [[Cell View]] window and select "''Edit''", or go to '''World > Cells''' from the main menu and manually navigate to ''LokirsTomb''. Click on the "Lighting" tab ''(Fig 8.4a)''. Here you can change the lighting template here to see what kind of effect it has on the scene in the render window. | ||
Try experimenting; if we change the template to "'''MineTemplateClose'''" the cell will appear more foggy and dark. The "'''AzurasStarTemplate'''" will make it brighter and more colorful. You can also uncheck any of the properties near the dropdown box here to set your own values. Alternatively, setting the lighting template to '''NONE''' will allow you to manually set each value. | Try experimenting; if we change the template to "'''MineTemplateClose'''" the cell will appear more foggy and dark. The "'''AzurasStarTemplate'''" will make it brighter and more colorful. You can also uncheck any of the properties near the dropdown box here to set your own values. Alternatively, setting the lighting template to '''NONE''' will allow you to manually set each value. | ||
{{InDepth|Changing the ambient color of a template won't do anything immediately noticeable. This value is used in the "'''Directional Ambient Lighting'''" tab. If you click the "Set From Ambient" button, the colors will all update to reflect the color chosen in the ambient color on the lighting tab.}} | |||
With the template is set, we can set the ''' | With the template is set, we can set the '''[[ImageSpace]]'''. This can be set in the "ImageSpace" dropdown menu on the "Common Data" tab in the cell window. In most cases, this is set to "DefaultImageSpaceDungeon" because we can control the color and lighting more just by changing the lights and colors. We can do some more exaggerated things by using imagespaces as seen in "AzurasStarImageSpace" with the increased depth of field or in "FrostmereCryptImageSpace" with desaturation and increased contrast. '''"Fig.12"''' '''"Fig. 13"''' | ||
<gallery widths="350" heights="340" perrow="2"> | <gallery widths="350" heights="340" perrow="2"> | ||
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image:ImageSpaceDropdown.jpg|'''Fig 8.4b:''' The ImageSpace Dropdown | image:ImageSpaceDropdown.jpg|'''Fig 8.4b:''' The ImageSpace Dropdown | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
{{WarningBox|The section below details how to modify the lighting templates of individual rooms, but does not explain in detail how to create and modify RoomMarkers and Portals. If you are having a hard time viewing/creating RoomMarkers please visit this page for detailed instructions: http://www.creationkit.com/Bethesda_Tutorial_Optimization#Room_Markers_and_Portals . This will be especially helpful to those working on their own plugin, instead of the LokirsTomb demo plugin}} | |||
*Setting the lighting template in the cell window will apply that change to the entire cell, but we can also change the template on a room by room basis. Bring up the "Show/Hide" menu and click "Portals and Rooms" to make room markers visible in the render window. Select the room whose template you want to change and bring up the batch action window. Select the "Set lighting template" action and you can then change the lighting template of the room by choosing a new template in the "Lighting Template" dropdown. The main reason we change the template is to reflect the size of a room and how far the player can see. In a small area like the first room of Lokir's Tomb it is better to use a template such as '''"BleakFallsBarrowClose"'''. If we were to use the '''"BleakFallsBarrowFar"''' template things would appear much flatter and have less contrast. '''"Fig.8.5e"''' '''"Fig. 8.5f"''' If we use the close template in the large final room of Lokir's Tomb, the fog prevent the player from seeing across the room and flatten everything out. In a room like this it would be better to use '''"BleakFallsBarrowMedium"'''. If you have a very large room, choose '''"BleakFallsBarrowFar"'''. Use your discretion on which template you should use for each room. | *Setting the lighting template in the cell window will apply that change to the entire cell, but we can also change the template on a room by room basis. Bring up the "Show/Hide" menu and click "Portals and Rooms" to make room markers visible in the render window. Select the room whose template you want to change and bring up the batch action window. Select the "Set lighting template" action and you can then change the lighting template of the room by choosing a new template in the "Lighting Template" dropdown. The main reason we change the template is to reflect the size of a room and how far the player can see. In a small area like the first room of Lokir's Tomb it is better to use a template such as '''"BleakFallsBarrowClose"'''. If we were to use the '''"BleakFallsBarrowFar"''' template things would appear much flatter and have less contrast. '''"Fig.8.5e"''' '''"Fig. 8.5f"''' If we use the close template in the large final room of Lokir's Tomb, the fog prevent the player from seeing across the room and flatten everything out. In a room like this it would be better to use '''"BleakFallsBarrowMedium"'''. If you have a very large room, choose '''"BleakFallsBarrowFar"'''. Use your discretion on which template you should use for each room. | ||
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