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1358 Chapter 15: Lights and Cameras
properties in the Area Light Dimensions group of
the Area Shadows rollout.
Tip: Area shadows can take a fair amount of time to
render. If you want to create a quick test (or draft)
rendering, you can use the Area/Linear Lig hts as
Point Lights toggle in the Common Parameters
rollout (page 3–2 7) of the Render Scene dialog to
speed up your rendering. When this toggle is on,
theshadowsareprocessedasifthelightobjectisa
point source.
Area shadows create a soft edge that becomes more noticeable
asthedistancebetweentheobjectandtheshadowincreases.
A: Penumbra (soft area)
B: Shadow
Area shadow cast by a point light
Interfa ce
Basic Options group
Mode—Selects the way the area shadows are
generated:
•
Simple—Casts a single ray from the light toward
the sur face. No antialiasing (page 3–907) or
area lig ht calcu lation is per formed.
•
Rectangle Light—Castsraysfromthelightina
rectangular array.
•
Disc Light—Castsraysfromthelightina
circular array.
•
Box Light—Castsraysfromthelightasifitwere
abox.
•
Sphere Light—Castsraysfromthelightasifit
were a sphere.