Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Adding interesting lighting effects
In this next part of the lesson, you will add interesting lighting effects to the Flowers layer.
1
Reveal the Flowers layer by clicking the visibility icon ( ) in the Layers panel next to the thumbnail
of the flowers, and then click the word Flowers to select the layer.
2
Choose Filter > Convert for Smart Filters. If a dialog box about filters appears, click OK.
3
Choose Filter > Render > Lighting Effects.
Click the Presets drop-down menu in the top left area of the screen and explore each option that ap-
pears, including 2 O'Clock Spotlight, Blue Omni, etc. Notice that the settings in the Properties panel
on the right change with each preset. Notice also that the various controls on the image change with
each preset position.
4
Choose the Default preset when you are done experimenting so that you can create a custom light for
the flowers.
5
In the Properties panel on the right, you see that Spot light is selected by default. From the drop-down
menu select Point light, then Infinite, and then back to Spot to see the differences between the three
lights:
•
Point
: shines light in all directions from directly above the image, such as a light bulb.
•
Infinite
: shines light across an entire plane, such as the sun.
•
Spot
: casts an elliptical beam of light. The line in the preview window defines the light direction
and angle, plus the various handle controls on the image define the edges of the ellipse.
6
Position your cursor over the ellipse controls, in the preview area, and notice that the words Move,
Rotate, and Scale Width appear. If you don't see Scale Width appear, position the cursor near the top
or bottom handle. If you still don't see these controls choose View > Show All.
7
Position your cursor near the small white circle, and then drag to resize the width of the ellipse. Try re-
positioning and rotating the light so that it looks similar to our example.
Use the various control handles to reposition, rotate, and resize the ellipse for the spotlight.
8
Keep this file open for the next part of the lesson.
