Interior Lighting for Church with high roof

[cwmwlyrallt]

I am modelling an existing church with lighting set close to the wall / roof intersection (open pitched roof - no ceiling) at some 6500 mm above floor level.

Has anyone a good source of dxf or 3ds files of suitable high mount / high intensity light sources. TPF catalogs don't seem to include lighting of this type. Even exterior floodlights are only 75w and I reckon I need something much bigger than that, even with multiple fittings, to get adequate illumination to give satisfactory Real Render that can be used to produce 'walk thro' videos.

Is there any other way to get around this problem?

Advice / ideas / solutions all appreciated.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Cecil,

Lighting values can be set as high as you like and there are 'hundreds' to choose from already in the program. One of the early lessons to learn with TFP is to keep double clicking things within the dialog boxes.  On the 75W click Edit (or Add if you want to create a new one) and then double click the wattage in the next list. You can then increase the wattage by changing the Scale or click Load and choose from a hundred or more values.

The image below may help.

Allan

[Doug.S]

Also to note (if I still remember correctly) is that TFP does NOT import any "light" fixture and use it with its own light source.

However there is an easy work around.....import any 3ds object and place it.  Insert a TFP light of any type and make everything except the bulb (small red cube) transparent and position the "bulb" as desired....but note if it is behind an object (like the ceiling) it will not shine thru unless that object is transparent.  And if you put it in a shade it may not project as you would expect....example its hard to make a spotlight using a fixture....see exterior lighting for "up" lights.

Also use the trick of a "bare" bulb (fixture all transparent) to add lighting to a room to better represent reality if needed.  (fill-in lighting)

[Allan Chesney]

Doug,

You did remember correctly - you cannot apply TFP lighting to imported objects.  I miss that from previous versions - hopefully the next will restore it!

Cecil,

There are a number of issues you will find in rendering, especially Advanced rendering, so I would suggest that you read previous posts on the subject - it may save you some unnecessary. (Search on Advanced or Radiosity). 

Probably the main one you will encounter is the balance between interior and exterior lighting. If you have sunlight coming in through a window it can be too bright, causing the camera to almost completely turn off interior lights, in a similar way to the way a real camera behaves in this situation.  The effect can be reduced by setting the sunlight to overcast (but if you live in Wales then you probably do that anyway - unless climate change has improved things since I left the UK!!). If that does not work sufficiently, even with increased wattage of interior lights, then turn the sun off. The background will still show through openings as it is not affected by the sun but outside objects seen through windows/doors will need to be lit by artificial lights.  We are hoping there will be some compensation built into a future version to control this asthe present version behaves too close to the reality of a real camera.

Your particular project could be quite challenging, so, if you run into some issues, check the Forum or ask here before spending a whole lot of time on it, as one of us will likely understand what is happening and point you in the right direction.  If you are doing a video then you may find Basic render is the most practical unless you have a huge amount of time available for rendering. Advanced rendering takes much longer, so for a movie it would take a long time.

Allan

[cwmwlyrallt]

Allan & Doug - thanks again for your helpful advice. With your help I am beginning to learn that one has to keep 'drilling' to find the wide range of facilities available in TFP - perhaps an occasional glance at the User Guide might help me too !!

The comments on rendering will be of great help as eventually I do want to make a video and having had an experimental look at that realise there may be a number of things to be overcome, particularly on my project.

I'll certainly be back again if necessary.

My next task is to work out how to adapt a narrow, steep, stone spiral staircase (belfry tower access) to let me get access to a new small external two storey addition to house a modern (meeting building regulation standards) spiral staircase to first floor level (TFP second floor location) and incorporate toilets, then to link up again with the belfry access on the new level. The belfry stair is within a 2.0 metre+ stone wall - should keep me occupied for a while!

Cecil

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Cecil,

Stairs sound like fun!!  A suggestion: construct the stairs outside or in an open area, turn off Collision detection and drag them into place. It is much easier.

Allan