2009

6 Click Close to dismiss the “Convert To mr Area Lights” and MAXScript
rollouts.
Interface
On Turns the area light on and off. When On is on, the mental ray renderer
uses the light to illuminate the scene. When On is off, the mental ray renderer
doesn’t use the light. Default=on.
Show Icon in Renderer When on, the mental ray renderer renders a dark
shape at the light's location. When off, the area light doesn't render.
Default=off.
Type Changes the shape of the area light. The choices are Sphere, for a
spherical volume, and Cylinder, for a cylindrical volume. Default=Sphere.
TIP You can use Rotate to adjust the orientation of a cylindrical area omni light.
However, no gizmo appears while you rotate the light.
Radius Sets the radius of the sphere or cylinder, in 3ds Max units. Default=20.0.
Height Available only when Cylinder is the active type of area light. Sets the
height of the cylinder, in 3ds Max units. Default=20.0.
As you use these spinners to adjust the size of the area light, a gizmo appears
in viewports to show the adjusted size. This gizmo disappears once you finish
adjusting the value.
5072 | Chapter 18 Lights and Cameras