Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Work through the following steps to get the illumination of
the 3D sign matching the lighting in the photograph as closely
as possible:
1.
With the 3D text selected (using the Extrude Tool), click
the Show Lights button on the Infobar.
The position and the color (about 90% white) of Light
2.
1 is fine for this scene. Come back to this light last
and adjust the positioning only if needed. Light 3, the
lavender icon, is casting down and to the left from an
angle that really doesn't contribute to visible illumination
on the sign, so it's okay and you can leave this light as is.
However, Light 2, a dull green, is the wrong color for the
pink sign on a sunny day, and it's not catching the edge
of the sign to provide tone separation from the building.
Click on Light 2's icon in the scene to select it.
Make sure that the Gloss/Matte button is toggled off.
3.
This gives the 3D extruded object a shiny appearance,
and in reality, few objects have the sort of specular
highlights one sees on website buttons.
Click the Color Editor icon at the bottom of the interface
4.
(or press
CTRL
-
E
). Drop the list down at top and choose
Light 2. The Color Editor is how you set both the
intensity and the color of a selected light.
Use the Color Picker on the Color Editor to sample
F
IGURE
13-8
Use the Color Editor
to change light color; drag light
icons on the page to change light
direction.
5.
a dull warm brown in the image itself. The building
trim to the left of the blue awning is fine, as you can
see in Figure 13-8. Now drag the light icon around a
little until the pink sides of the extruded shape show
some variation in
color. Secondary light
is common in outdoor
scenes, as light bounces
off objects to illuminate
other objects. This
scattering effect is called
diffuse
lighting; it's most
visible on matte, not
glossy objects, and this
small artistic touch helps
the scene's plausibility
through adding visual
detail to a digital object.
Gloss/Matte toggled off
