ah! thanks, the ambient value worked.. however the fake flame (it's 2 transparent flat squares in a cross shape with a texture) gives off an odd shadow still, the flat squares throw a shadow unless I place the light exactly above them.. then I don't get much of a surrounding light from the "flame" of course.. is there any other option or should I simply add a second light to simulate the flame's light? as for the shadow cams, where do I find that option?