Hi,

Been playing around with Carrara 5 Pro for a bit and either something is wrong or I am doing something wrong.

Ok, so new scene, loaded the Nice Afternoon sky from the browser, added an object, then added a spotlight, the spotlight doesn't seem to be emitting any light, tried putting a sphere in front of it but nothing, I can see the light cone in the Assemble windows but absolutely nothing showing in the render.

A lot of my scenes seem to be like that, if I start off with a blank screen then add an object, then drag from the browser say any sky, it adds a light and camera to the scene but the scene still stays black when rendered.

Is there some hidden talent at getting light in the scene or have I missed the point of how to light in carrara completely?

Jon

Well, not to be glib, but yes, I think you're doing something wrong. Have you checked your light settings? Do you have your camera accidentally embedded in an object? It's a bit difficult to give more specific suggestions without some further details.

It is not enough to simply add a sky from the browser to your scene. You also need an atmosphere.

After adding your sky go to the 'Instance' tab on the panel at the lower right and then select 'Scene'. Now go up to the top panel, still at the right, and select the 'Effects' tab. From this tab select the 'Atmosphere' option and then choose either 'Sky' or 'Realistic Sky'.

If this doesn't solve your problem I'll need more information.

I only have ever worked with C6, so hesitate to say too much, but it does sound like the render room does not have "sky light" turned on. Check there first.

yeah, but why wouldn't the spots cast any light?
I'm guessing either there's something wrong with the OP's render/spotlite settings
or else a bad install of c5.

Quote - It is not enough to simply add a sky from the browser to your scene. You also need an atmosphere.

After adding your sky go to the 'Instance' tab on the panel at the lower right and then select 'Scene'. Now go up to the top panel, still at the right, and select the 'Effects' tab. From this tab select the 'Atmosphere' option and then choose either 'Sky' or 'Realistic Sky'.

If this doesn't solve your problem I'll need more information.

Hi,

Thanks, I can see the sky now, however I still have the spotlight issue, interestingly when I turn on the cone option, I can see the cone after it has hit an object, but it doesn't illuminate the object?

Thanks again
Jon

It is possible to get corrupted files. It's a common issue in "other programs", but it has also happened in Carrara. (No, no, never, perish the thought.) But it would be nice to confirm it is not something operational, before going through the annoyance of a reinstall. 

Hi,

I have linked to screenshots showing the setup and the render, and the light is not even hitting the cube in front of the train.

Thanks
Jon
img504.imageshack.us/my.php
img260.imageshack.us/my.php

The spotlight as shown is not where the light is emitting. If you make the spot smaller (say, 40%), so that it ends before the cube, then make sure that the light travels the distance you need (fall-off setting, try 50 feet ) . Then, you should see the light on the cube.

Hi,

Ok, I see the light on the object now, I am used to cinema 4D and Vue, and I would have assumed that the light would just hit any object it came in contact with, so for Carrara lights, it needs to finish before its target?

Thanks again
Jon

Out of interest while we are talking about lights, is the only way to get a volumetric effect from a spotlight to use light cone?

Thanks
Jon

Yes. You change the size of the spotlight to fit (not touching your target) and then increase the angle, distance, and intensity as needed.

Quote - Out of interest while we are talking about lights, is the only way to get a volumetric effect from a spotlight to use light cone?

The other (and more detailed option) would be to add a fog element into the scene.

Also, I don't  think you should need the lightcone to come up short of the object to see the light.  My guess is the the light is inside the train and isn't able to shine through the object. Are you shining it through a glass texture?  If so make sure the "Light Through Transparency" option is checked in the Render Room.  Otherwise just make sure the light isn't behind any geometry.

I hope this helps.

I notice your views are zoomed in.  Probably because the train imported very small instead of actual scale.  Go back to 100% view, set Carrara's preferences to inches or feet and then set the range of your spot light using the same scale.

in case nobody mentioned this:

1. the spotlite was inside the cube in the first linked image, which would preclude it
   from casting any lite.
2. the lite cone itself is not that 4-sided pyramid seen in assembly room.

Hi,

The problem I had with the light didn't make a difference if it was inside the cube or not, where it was emitting from was a glass object, ie a train light, but it didn't seem to matter if I moved it in or outside of the cube, still no light.

Thanks everyone for the advice and thanks for all the help.

Jon

Light through transparency setting should always be on for renders.

Quote - Hi,

I have linked to screenshots showing the setup and the render, and the light is not even hitting the cube in front of the train.

Thanks
Jon
img504.imageshack.us/my.php
img260.imageshack.us/my.php

You have the actual light source itself stuffed inside a cube.  The light source needs to be clear of any obstructions.  Try shrinking the light source to get it out of that cube and /or moving it back out of the cube.  The little pyramid si the light source, the light cone is the wireframe guide you get with a spotlight light that helps you see where it will hit.