I never use spotlights in Bryce ... why?

cause i find it impossible to aim them.

For example, in 3d max, you can view where the spotlight
is going. ( this is not any easy option to figure out though, but works great. )

How do you all aim a spotlight in bryce? ( 5 )

exasperated. thanks alot.

Kathy

not sure what you mean select it and change coordinates

Well, I do that, but it's hopeless. The damn thing turns all over the place - I cant even tell where its pointing. Is there any MARKER where its pointing at - that works? In max - and I'm sure others - you can VIEW where the spot light is aiming. works great there. I read other posts where byrce people dont use spotlights either - is this why? cause they s*ck big time?

On the spot lights attributes menu, go to the linking tab and set the Track Object Name to an object where you want the spot light to shine. May not be the answer to all situations, but it is for some.

Stephen Ray

You have 3DMaxitis. Aiming lights in Bryce is a piece of cake. After you create your light select the "Edit" palette at the top of the window. This allows you to move the light one axis at a time. It also helps if you select orthographic views when aiming each axis, ie: side, front, top. Bryce offers several ways of doing just about everything. You are trying to do it the way it is done in 3DMax, which is wrong for Bryce. If you read the manual, simple things like moving lights and objects on their axis, are explained and illustrated. I have been using Bryce since version 2 and I have never had a problem aiming a spotlight. In fact I use them all the time. Don't try using Bryce like 3DMax and you will have fewer problems. As a friend of mine is fond of telling me "It's a poor craftsman who blames his tools". The software works just fine and the lights don't "suck bigtime", you just don't have a feel for them yet.

Also use your nano-preview window to see where it's aiming. On the light object in the wireframe view there is a line coming out one end, this is the end the light comes out of. Point that line to where you want the light to shine and you shouldn't have any problems.

Here's an example of how to aim lights in Bryce the easy way. Many people use the "grab and pull" method of aiming lights and camera. To me that method is imprecise and hard to control. Using the "Edit" menu is the best and most accurate way to move, rotate, scale and aim any light, object or camera in Bryce one axis at a time. You can even aim whole rows of lights as one (as shown in figure 4). I hope this helps eliminate your frustration and confusion. Good luck. ;-)

Wow, thanks for all the help everybody! That was really terrific of you! Great tutorial there. I'm starting to get the hang of it now. Kathy

Wow, thanks for all the help everybody! That was really terrific of you! Great tutorial there. I'm starting to get the hang of it now. Kathy

Hey, you're welcome! Hey, you're welcome! ;-) Glad I could help.