Light in the real world does not emit from a point, but every source has some area, and thus ya get Area shadows?
To get something close to area shadows, put up 6-8 lights where you want your box light. make the ones on the edge raytrace hard shadows with low shadow density and the ones at the centre soft shadows with low shadow density.

object

area Light

Object

Soft Hard Soft

Lights: 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16
1, 4, 16, 13 - Hard Shadows, low shadow density
2,3,8,12,15,14,9,5 - Soft Shadows, Medium Shadow density
6,7,10,11 - soft shadow, low density.

Of course, you don't need so many lights. A spot and 3 directional lights give a good approximation.

Lights: d
s
d d
Spot: soft shadows, medium density,
Directional lights: hard shadows, low density.

:)
Hope this helps.

Message edited on: 06/07/2005 02:59