Recessed Light Fixture to Wash a Wall

[ahr8tch]

Folks, I'm gettin' better at figurin' stuff out, but I haven't been able to figure out how to make a recessed light fixture direct its radiation in any direction other than the programmed radiation.  Is there a way to make a 'wall washer' out of the recessed light fixture?  I want a light that will radiate primarily toward a wall but also downward.

TIA
rh

[Allan Chesney]

I haven't figured this out yet either although I have not tried very hard so far as I have not had a specific need for this yet.  It does not appear to be 'doable' (unless the setting is well hidden).  Not quite sure what you mean by a 'wall washer'. If you just want to throw light onto the wall then most of the lights would do that if they are close enough.

You can also make all the light fitting parts invisible, so you only have the light point itself.  This can be positioned to put light where you want, even if it is not actually where a normal light would be.  You can use a normal light fitting for effect and 'turn it off' and change the lamp shade so it emmits light (emmissive setting on material) and it will appear to be on.

Allan

[ahr8tch]

We have recessed lights (in the USA; you're in Oz, aren't you?) referred to as 'wall washers' because the bulb is placed at an angle that causes the light to be directed laterally toward an object - usually a wall - instead of pointing downward.  It's often used to emphasize cabinetry or artwork generally instead of using the individual lamps that light one piece specifically.  The light 'circle' is thus changed to an oval when it strikes the wall.  Of course, if there are objects on the wall that break up the light, the oval pool is not as noticeable because of shadows, forms etc.

Thanks again for your help.

rh

[Doug.S]

I have been unable to find anything that works directly as a "spot" light....all are "point" light sources and imported fixtures fail.

I did experiment with an exterior fixture that was to wash walls with light upwards and tried to make it work indoors as a down light by rotating the fixture and adjusting the red light source cube....
http://forum.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,92.msg792.html#msg792

but I ran into severe rendering problems....never was sure if it was what I was doing or just a glitch in the file...so I went to an earlier backup and did not continue researching....so you may want to try that approach.

I also seem to never be able to use a light source any where near a "normal" wattage....and have to set bulbs to min. and set reduction to like 2 to 5 % even for an 8 watt bulb or else the render turns all white washout.

You can try a deep narrow cone as an opaque shade with the red lite source set deep inside to control a lite like a photographer's "barn doors".

Anything you learn is welcomed for sharing as we all learn how to make TFP12 work for us.

[ahr8tch]

I'll keep playing around and should this blind squirrel find an acorn, he shall share!