Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
General Parameters
Figure 6-4:
General Param-
eters rollout
By default, the General Parameters rollout should be open. It
contains some check boxes and drop-down lists. You can turn
your light on and off quickly via a check box.
Next to the On check box is a drop-down list for the light
type. This list allows you to change the kind of light you are
using on the fly. This means you can create a light and position
it in your scene; then if at any point you decide you need to
use a different type of light, you can simply toggle it using the
rollout. You don't need to delete your light and reposition a
new one and try to match your settings, etc. Just adjust the
rollout to change the light type and keep your settings from
the previous light.
You also have a check box to turn shadows on. By default,
your lights will have this box unchecked. You may wonder,
why would I ever not want my shadows turned on? Well, you
will notice very quickly that having shadows on can increase
your render times dramatically. You may not want to turn on
all your shadows until you are ready to view a final render.
Under the Shadows check boxes you have another
drop-down that reads Shadow Map. This drop-down list allows
you to change your shadow type. By default, all lights in Max
use what is called a shadow map to create their shadows. In
order to not overcomplicate things, I want you to stick with
the Shadow Map setting for right now.
 
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