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Spot Light PropertyManager

A spot light comes from a restricted, focused light with a cone-shaped beam that is brightest at its center. A Spot light can be aimed at a specific area of the model. You can modify the intensity, color, and position of the light source, and you can adjust the angle through which the beam spreads.

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

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

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.
  Co-ordinate system
Spherical
Uses a spherical coordinate system to specify the position of the light source. Drag the manipulator in the graphics area or set values in the PropertyManager.
  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

Distance

 Sets the location of the light in the coordinate system.
  Target X coordinate

Target Y coordinate

Target Z coordinate

 The target is the point on the model at which the light is aimed. Sets the location of the light's target in the coordinate system.
Cone angle Specifies the angle through which the beam spreads. A small angle produces a narrow beam of light. In the graphics area, move the pointer over the circle that defines the base of the cone. When the pointer changes to and the circle changes color, you can drag the circle to change the cone angle.
  Co-ordinate system
Cartesian
Uses a Cartesian coordinate system to specify the position of the light source. Drag the manipulator in the graphics area or set values in the PropertyManager.
  Lock to model Maintains the position of the light relative to the model. When cleared, the light remains fixed in the model space.
  X coordinate

Y coordinate

Z coordinate

 Sets the location of the light in the coordinate system.
  Target X coordinate

Target Y coordinate

Target Z coordinate

 The target is the point on the model at which the light is aimed. Sets the location of the light's target in the coordinate system.
Cone angle Specifies the angle through which the beam spreads. A small angle produces a narrow beam of light. In the graphics area, move the pointer over the circle that defines the base of the cone. When the pointer changes to and the circle changes color, you can drag the circle to change the cone angle.

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.
  Soft edge Sets the extent of transition beyond the light to give a softer appearance to the light's edge. To create a hard edge, set to 0. To create softer edges, increase the value.

PhotoView Tab - Shadows

  Shadows Enables shadows in PhotoView.
  Spot light radius Sets the radius of the spot light in PhotoView, affecting softness of shadows. Lower values sharpen shadows. Higher values soften them but may affect rendering times.
  Shadow quality Reduces graininess in softer shadows. As you increase Spot light radius, experiment with higher values of this setting to reduce graininess. Increasing this setting increases render times.

PhotoView Tab - Fog

  Fog Enables the fog effect in PhotoView.
  Fog distance Sets the extent of fog around the light.
  Fog quality Reduces graininess when Fog distance is increased. Increasing this setting increases render times.


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Web Help Content Version: SOLIDWORKS 2011 SP05

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