Introduction to Lights in V-Ray Next

Learn how to use the VRayLight in V-Ray Next for 3ds Max to light and render any scene.

V-Ray Next for 3ds Max offers smart lighting tools that intelligently analyze scenes and optimize ray calculations. In this course, instructor Brian Bradley shows how to use the V-Ray Next VRayLight—also called the plane or rectangle light—in its various operating modes: Plane, Dome, Sphere, Mesh, and Disc. The course starts with a refresher on light behavior in the real world and demonstrates how those principles translate to the rendering environment. Brian then shows how to adjust the different settings and controls of the VRayLight and put those techniques into practice by lighting a sample scene. Tackle the challenge on your own first and then review Brian's solutions for illuminating the scene with each of the VRayLight operating modes. This course provides a thorough introduction that can help you master the technical aspects of lighting in V-Ray Next, so you can focus on the art and craft.

Introduction

• An introduction to lighting in V-Ray
• Software versions used in this course
• Gamma and unit settings
• Using the provided scene files

1. Understanding Light Behavior

• Light behavior
• Light waves or light rays
• Understanding light decay
• Working with color
• Size, shadows, and highlights
• Photographic lighting tools
• Controlling color bleed

2. The VRayLight: Common Settings

• An introduction to the VRayLight
• Controlling intensity and color
• The on, target, and texture controls
• Setting the lighting units
• The invisible and no decay options
• Working with exclude and include controls
• Affect diffuse, specular, and reflection
• Controlling shadows
• Skylight portals
• The sampling rollout
• Viewport and advanced options rollouts

3. Unique Mode Settings on the VRayLight

• The directional controls
• The size parameters
• The dome light rollout
• The mesh light rollout

4. Putting Everything Into Practice

• Challenge: Lighting the sample scene
• Lighting the sample scene: Dome light
• Lighting the sample scene: Plane light
• Lighting the sample scene: Mesh light
• Lighting the sample scene: Sphere light

Conclusion

• What next?