Datasheet

12
c h a p t e r 1: UNDERSTANDING LIGHTING, COLOR, AND COMPOSITION ■
Note: Four-point lighting simply adds a fourth light to illuminate the background or set behind
the subject.
The 3-point lighting scheme is popular in the realm of 3D because it lends
depth to a potentially flat subject. For example, in Figure 1.15 a sphere is given addi-
tional roundness with three lights. A spot light, which serves as the key, is placed
screen left. An ambient light, which serves as a fill, is placed screen right. A directional
light, which functions as a rim light, is placed behind the sphere. The balance between
the key and fill creates a slightly dark “core” down the center of sphere. The bright
edge created by the rim helps separate the sphere from the dark background.
Figure 1.15 Standard 3-point lighting applied to a primitive sphere. This scene is
included on the CD as
3_point_sphere.ma.
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