Well, if you set the ambient parameter really high (above 100%) objects can look like they are glowing (i.e. they will be really bright), but they will not actually shed light onto other objects. A technique I often use is to place a light inside the object, make the object transparent (or semi transparent) and then adjust the flare settings (usually using the maximum span setting). This works best with objects that are approximately spherical. If your object is oddly shaped, you might want to use more that one light strategically placed inside it. -karl