ok, does anyone know how, if you have an object dangling, say, in front of a wall, and the wall is quite dark...you can use a spotlight to get some light modelling onto the object without throwing a pool of light onto the wall behind. The problem is, the ornament looks too flat without any light modelling on it, but eithert the spotlight power is set way low, where you don't get a pool thrown behind, but it's also not really bright enough to give visible form to the ornament, or it is bright enough, and you get an obvious pool behind. I've seen it done..just not sure how. BTW...what exactly IS the diff between a spotlight and a quadratic spotlight?

What you are trying to do can be done with Vue Pro, or if you can't get that version, that effect will be possible with the upcoming LightTune plugin for Vue 5. That function allows you to cast a light to a single object and leave the rest of the scene untouched (among other things). 'Linear' versus 'quadratic' refers to the rate of decay of a light source. Linear means that the intensity of the light decreases in a way that is proportional to the distance to the source. Quadratic means that the decays is related to the square of the distance to the source (in practice, quadratic lights are more intense close to the source but decay very quickly away from it).

Perhaps try the glow material as well this may give you the desired effect you seek. I have used it a few times for neon signs or light behind a sign in some projects. Also, light gels can dim an otherwise too intense spot light or volumetric light at low levels can achieve a faint light effect. Just some other thoughts for your consideration. Take care.