FloorPlan User Forum

General Category - V.16 and Earlier => V12 - V16 Looking for Help? => Topic started by: garystan on May 26, 2011, 01:08:54 PM

Title: Wall Lighting
Post by: garystan on May 26, 2011, 01:08:54 PM

     Hi everybody :

             I've been trying to figure out how to set the light source for a wall sconce.   In the recessed ceiling light it was pretty much straight forward.   All I had to do was adjust the Z axis.        The problem was I kept getting that  "splatter" of light on the ceiling.  And adjusting the Z axis took care of that.   But, with the wall sconce,  I befuddled.  With the wall light, I've got the light coming out from the wall, and up to the ceiling.    I've been moving the axes around like a chess piece.   One time, I almost had it right,  the light WAS shining up to the ceiling, but it still  "splattered" on the wall.   I tried adjust the  Y axis,  but i t didn't do too much. 
                                                                                                           garystan                               
Title: Re: Wall Lighting
Post by: Allan Chesney on May 26, 2011, 07:12:00 PM
Hi Garystan,

With the particular light fitting you are using, the image below should answer your question.

Baisically you set the Y axis to a negative figure and it will move the light source away from the wall and in front of the fitting.

The secret to light source positioning is to move the fitting around in the dialog box (to above and front views especially) and observe where the light source moves when you alter the X Y or Z SLIGHTLY.  If you move it too far initially it will go off the screen so check the direction of movement first, then type in the actual distance you want.

In doing this image I noticed that all wall lights are not the same - depends how the fitting was built I guess, so the Y can be left and right movement on some and the X is front to back - hence the need to check.  Having discoved this I will be adjusting one of my previous posts on this subject which had the movements the opposite to this particular fitting (http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,1673 (http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,1673)).  Normally the little diagram in the dialog box is correct.

Allan
Title: Re: Wall Lighting
Post by: Doug.S on May 26, 2011, 07:38:16 PM
You can also adjust the texture material and properties of the fixture "glass" to get different controlled effects....such as diffused glass and add transparency....or make the interior of the glass as a mirror to reflect light more.

Or add a fixture floating in space, make all the hardware completely transparent, then just use the "free" light source to add light (light bulb) as needed.....often used as a "fill" light to help the overall effect without adding lights that show in the scene....can be very subtle with low wattage light sources.

And don't forget you can import more lights if none fill our needs....or import a 3D object of any type and use a "light bulb" to make it a lighting fixture.

You are limited only by your imagination.
Title: Re: Wall Lighting
Post by: garystan on May 27, 2011, 01:03:27 PM

  Allan :
                 Thanks.....that helped a lot.   I WAS confused on the matter.  The lights in my City Home project (the table lamps) were easy to adjust.  Whereas the wall sconces required a different approach. 
                                                                                       Much appreciation,
                                                                                            garystan