Hi there, I just had a tip from Dann-0 that in order to get a shadow I need to add a radial light, but set it to Negative in the attributes. Well Dann-0, I tried it, and the above image is the result. But I can't see any shadows around the dog... which is where I want them. Help?

Here's the same scene without the negative light: I dunno what I'm doing wrong, Dann-0 can you help? Or anyone else?

A negative light darkens the area where it appears. It also casts a "light" shadow instead of a dark one. In, other words, it acts exactly opposite from a positive light. If you can still go back to your original set-up, edit the light in the first pic in the light lab by turning down the intensity until the shadows show up. I think the light is just too bright, and that's washing out all the shadows. Hope this helps, John

also, the negative light in this case is not boolean negative, but a negative brightness in the light lab :)

tjohn, Okay, the 1st image in this thread was at an intensity of 25, the second was at nil, THIS one is at 4. Still no shadows. Nor were there any at intensity 8.... Help? (couldn't be bothered waiting to render the whole thing so I just spot rendered the dog - I hope that's okay) Fran

Rayraz, " also, the negative light in this case is not boolean negative, but a negative brightness in the light lab :)" Huh? Does that matter? I'm confused now, and I only just found out from Dann-0 that you COULD have such a thing as a negative light... what's with the bit about "not being negative boolean" and "negative brightness in the light lab" Can you have a negative light that's negative boolean as well? Fran - totally bewildered.

I just got an ordinary radial light and clicked "negative" in the Atributes... is that wrong?

yea like, if you use a boolean, you make an object positive or negative, or intersect and it can be used for cutting objects. But a negative light in the way Dann-0 meant was probably a light emitting negative light. This is not as much a boolean operation as where the light is used to cut pieces out of objects, but it is a lighting operation, where instead of casting light the light "sucks the light away" A boolean is set to negative or positive or intersect in the objects attributes (when clicking on the small ") A lights brightness is set to negative or positive values in the light lab (when clicking on the small "e")

Rayraz, Okay I understand about negative boolean in ordinary objects - made this and that with it. Now, what's this about lights and negativeness/ity? I can't find any small 'e' in the light lab, can you point out where it is? Fran

I do have a large 'E' on the vertical list next to an object's wireframe, but I've already clicked on that in order to enter the light lab... no small 'e' anywhere - inside OR out of the light lab. Help?

Ive tried typing a minus value into the intensity in the light lab - is that what you meant? This image is the result, still no shadows, just a darker overall image. Help?

The blue pointer is the controller for the zenith light rig, on which I have disabled the shadows. All of the shadows are created by the negative radial light.

Fran. ummmm.... I would suggest flipping the virtical on the lateral with a difusion function of 6.4 and an overall magna spectrum of 12. You can find more at-www.shilo'sidiotic/dumbass/Ihatemymanual/tutorials.com Sunbscription is only $12.99!!! lol

Madmax is right. that is why I use it and that is the desired effect. You will have to play with it a bit to get the right effect I will get back to youas soon as I had my coffee. I live on Neptune oops I mean china time.

Place the negative light uder the area you wan ta nice soft shadow. Make the light negative not the boolean negative. a low value shoud do the trick if it is positioned right. Negative lights are good for simulating soft shadows without haveing the long renders.

Actually on that last plop render you are getting shadows, Fran. The one on the drawbridge is the darkest. I'm thinking now the ambiance may be a little high on your material where the dog is standing, set it down to 10 on the slider and see if it makes a difference. Also, the lights on the dog look to be casting long shadows, so maybe the light isn't directly above. If you're expecting a shadow from the dog directly under it, this may be why you aren't getting one.

maybe if you put the negative light directly under the dog you'll get the desired effect? You could then use the fall-off settings to get the shadow looking right :)

oh and yea the negative intensity is what me and Dann-0 meant :)

Aye, there would never be a reason to use a Negative boolean spot for a light fixture, but I can see how you got to that point, Fran. Did you get shadows to appear yet? There may be something else going on, perhaps they are turned OFF for the doggy? Perhaps the floor is not set to receive shadows? Perhaps there are lights in your scene you don't know about? (anyone ever played with anti-photons?!?)

Just a question, the dog in question doesn't have cast shadows turned off does he? Just a thought.

Okay, 1) madmax_br5, firstly what the doobryfirkin is a zenith light? secondly I now understand that it should be positioned UNDER the dog (thanks to Dann-0 for that) Id had it above the dog, so no wonder nothing was happening. Thirdly I see that your light is squashed under that ball, I can see that that would help to make objects appear to be sitting on the surface my doggy still doesnt look right even though I now have a pool of shadow under him, his feet dont look like they are touching the surface. Will I need 4 neg lights one to sit squashed under each foot? Boy, I really hope shadows work better in B5.5! this is terribly labourious! 2) Shilo, Unfortunately although I did try your website you dont appear to be all there. ggg 3) Dann-0, thanks for the tips, I do seem to be getting a little bit closer to real shadows. 4) tjohn, ambience on archlining... right.... trying that.......... er, I just checked, the ambience is already down to 8.4. 5) Rayraz, yeah, UNDER the dog, durrrr! I hadnt realised before well... no one said. (feeling really stupid) 6) LSD, Aye, there would never be a reason to use a Negative boolean spot for a light fixture, but I can see how you got to that point, Fran. Pure dumbness on my part Im afraid. (sigh) Did you get shadows to appear yet? There may be something else going on, perhaps they are turned OFF for the doggy? Yes, thanks to Dann-0 and Rayraz, now that Ive moved the light to sit UNDER the doggy, I do have shadows... not very good ones and his feet still look like they are hovering above the floor despite being positioned directly ON the floor ( Ive checked and checked , very closely) No they are NOT turned off for the doggy we went into all that the last time round, when I first asked about this. Floors?........ WOAH! Smokin!!!!! Oh LSD, you are KING! It was the ratty floors, the FLOORS!!!! Not set to receive shadows! Oh LSD, I want to have your... er no I dont, got enough kids. Phew, of course now the doggy is in a dark miasma of evil... but I can fix that. And negative lights ARE interesting, now that I know how they work, thanks to Dann-0, Rayraz, xenic, oh and just everybody if I havent mentioned you when you helped me, its only cos Ive got a brain the size of a pea.... Fran

5) Rayraz, yeah, UNDER the dog, durrrr! I hadnt realised before well... no one said. (feeling really stupid) aww and I tried so hard to not make you feel stupid about it!

Isn't it possible to make a spotlight negative, not just a radial? I think I've done that before, and the light was soaked up in only one direction. In Fran's case, she would put the negative spotlight under the dog and pointing down at the floor. That way, it wouldn't affect the light above. I hope I'm remembering this correctly!

Aye, but she doesn't actually need any negative lights. Like she said, the floors were simply set to not Receive Shadows... Remember, adding lights means increasing the render time, and is inefficient in many cases. Although you can definitly add to the realism if done properly. Lighting is the Key and most overlooked element of CGI, the difference between realism, accuracy, and mediocrity. Methinks this image will turn out fine, Fran! Good luck!

Rayraz, It was too late, I already felt stupid about it before you even said anything. Still, I learnt something. 1) look to see if a surface is set to receive shadows, and 2) Negative lights can be fun! ggg