Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
If you flooded that same ball with light from all directions,
it would be just as flat as a sheet of paper, as shown below.
Figure 1-7
Certain lights will accomplish certain things for you. Knowing
how to properly use your lights and having a good understand-
ing of how light reacts in the real world will be invaluable to
you as a 3D artist. The biggest misconception about lighting in
3D is that you simply add “lights” and blam! — you are done
with your lighting. This is not true. Lighting is an art form in
itself. In most cases you are often faking real lighting in order
to make your scene look realistic.
Even with a good model, bad lighting will result in an
image that is horribly lacking. What makes things look real is
the way light bounces off objects. For example, when you
stand outside and face the sun, your back will also be lit. Why
is this? Because the sunlight is bouncing off the ground
behind you and then back up to your legs, shoulders, head,
etc. You can do this on the computer at the expense of severe
render times, or you can fake it by using multiple lights.
