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Directional Light PropertyManager

Directional light comes from a source that is infinitely far away from the model. It is a columned light source consisting of parallel rays from a single direction. You can modify the intensity, color, and position of the light source.

To display this PropertyManager, in the DisplayManager, click View Scenes, Lights and Cameras . Under Lights, right-click Directional and select Edit Directional Light.

When the PropertyManager appears, a manipulator appears in the graphics area. To move the light or the target in the graphics area, move the pointer over the manipulator. When the pointer changes to , you can drag the manipulator.

Basic Tab - Basic

  On in SolidWorks Switches the light off or on in the model.
  Keep light when scene changes Retains light with model after a scene change. By default, lights are replaced when a scene changes. For example, set this option when you use a point light to illuminate an occluded section of the model.
  Edit Color Displays the Color palette, so you can select colored light rather than the default white light.
Ambient Controls the intensity of the light source. Move the slider or type a value between 0 and 1. A higher value results in more light. The level changes equally on all sides of the model.
Brightness Controls the brightness of the light source. Move the slider or type a value between 0 and 1. A higher value results in more light on the side of the model closest to the source.
Specularity Controls the extent to which shiny surfaces exhibit bright highlights where the light strikes them. Move the slider or type a value between 0 and 1. A higher value results in more dramatic highlights and a shinier appearance.

Basic Tab - Light Position

Press Tab to flip the light source 180 degrees about the model origin.
  Lock to model Maintains the position of the light relative to the model. When cleared, the light remains fixed in the model space.
  Longitude

Latitude

 Sets the location of the light in the coordinate system.

PhotoView Tab - PhotoView Controls

The PhotoView tab is available when PhotoView is added in.

  On in PhotoView Turns on the light in PhotoView. The light is off by default. Also enables PhotoView lighting options.
  PhotoView brightness Sets the brightness of the light in PhotoView.

PhotoView Tab - Shadows

  Shadows Enables shadows in PhotoView.
  Shadow softness Sharpens or softens the shadow cast by the light. Lower values sharpen shadows. Higher values soften them but may affect rendering times. To simulate the effect of the sun, experiment with values between 3 and 5.
  Shadow quality Reduces graininess in softer shadows. As you increase Shadow softness, experiment with higher values of this setting to reduce graininess. Increasing this setting increases render times.


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Web Help Content Version: SOLIDWORKS 2011 SP05

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