2009

Directional Parameters
Create a standard Target Direct or Free Direct light. > Directional Parameters
rollout
The Directional Parameters rollout appears when you create or select a target
direct
on page 5057 or free direct on page 5060 light. These parameters control
hotspots on page 8007 and falloff on page 8007.
Procedures
To see the directional cone in viewports:
The cone is always visible while the light is selected. This setting keeps the
cone visible when the light is unselected.
1 Select the spotlight.
2 In the Directional Parameters rollout > Light Cone group, turn on Show
Cone.
3 Select another object, deselecting the light.
A wireframe outline of the light's cone appears. The hotspot region is
outlined in light blue, and the falloff region is outlined in dark gray.
The cone is always visible while the light is selected.
TIP The hotspot and falloff borders are not visible in shaded viewports. Use
the cone values to adjust hotspot and falloff in the viewport. Render the scene
to see the full effect of the light's border.
To adjust the hotspot and falloff:
■ Use the Hotspot and Falloff spinners to increase or decrease the size of the
hotspot and falloff regions. For directional lights, Hotspot and Falloff are
expressed in units.
By default, the falloff value is always constrained to be at least two degrees
or two units greater than the hotspot value. The size of this constraint is
a preference that you can change in the
Rendering panel on page 7768 of
the Preferences dialog. The falloff value can range from 0 to 10,000 units.
When the hotspot and falloff values are equal, the light casts a hard-edged
beam.
5088 | Chapter 18 Lights and Cameras