topic Re: rope light type light source in Visualization

rope light type light source

Tom Krowka — Thu, 11 May 2023 12:38:42 GMT

Anyone know how I can generate a linear light source (lamp), similar to a rope light? Have also looked in BIM components, but nothing there that will work either.

Re: rope light type light source

Anonymous — Tue, 24 May 2016 19:59:42 GMT

there are different approach to get this result, first if you have the light source modeled or is a face of a complex profile, you can use a surface with the luminance channel on like the glass lamps surface (make a test with something simple like a cube and add this surface and render it to see the results, don't forget to turn on illuminating surfaces.

Or you can make it using area lights using the line shape and making the light visible.
Here is a pic, the one in the floor is using the lamp surface applied to a material, the vertical light using the area light.

Re: rope light type light source

Anonymous — Tue, 24 May 2016 20:01:38 GMT

Here are the settings for the area light I use for this example.

Re: rope light type light source

Tom Krowka — Wed, 25 May 2016 17:01:48 GMT

Tried the area light-strip type. Can't figure out how to stop the illumination at solid surfaces. Am trying to get a strip light around the perimeter of the drop down in the ceiling. You can see the light penetrates the ceiling above. It doesn't appear I can change the distance of illumination vertically and horizontally differently. However, it looks like you have done it in your capture pic you sent. Am a bit frustrated.

Re: rope light type light source

Dave Seabury — Wed, 25 May 2016 17:15:05 GMT

Tom

This has worked for me. Place a general light and reduce the sphere to 18 or 24" in size. Copy it around your soffit at about 6-8" o.c.

I would place a few lights and try a rendering and when you get the light right then copy all the way around as it is a pain moving that many lights.

David

Re: rope light type light source

Anonymous — Wed, 25 May 2016 17:39:29 GMT

Hi, I just made a video to show you the steps I do to get them done, check it and see what you are missing in the settings. But I'm suspecting is making the visible light volumetric.

http://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cDhTbaihtn

From there you just have to adjust it to the final quality you want it for the render.

Re: rope light type light source

Tom Krowka — Wed, 25 May 2016 17:46:10 GMT

This appears to work for me.....used an area light, in the shape of a rectangle. Illumination in one direction only. The default is down, rotated to up. No falloff on light. Shape of the area light is a bit smaller than the ceiling drop. It gives the effect I needed....and its close enough for this client.

Thanks for your input. Tom

Re: rope light type light source

Anonymous — Wed, 25 May 2016 17:54:04 GMT

Great, it works very nice.
Happy you made it. (I know what is getting frustrated trying to accomplish something )

Re: rope light type light source

Tom Krowka — Tue, 31 May 2016 14:40:02 GMT

A related question......can the light source show up when generating a BIMx model. Have done one, and used global illumination, but it doesn't seem to show the same as when a still pic is generated with a camera in photorealistic setting.
Actually, it doesn't seem to show up at all.

Re: rope light type light source

Erwin Edel — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 09:40:30 GMT

BIMx has no lights other than the sun.

Re: rope light type light source

Tom Krowka — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 13:28:15 GMT

Well then, that explains it. Thanks.