When you create a proposal that includes a 3D image, there are many ways of working with lighting adjustments in CET.
- Keep in mind that a room needs both light and shadow. Combine different types of lighting. Include lamps that shine directly and lamps that spread light in the same room.
- Avoid shadow-crossing; in other words, don’t cross light from directed sources.
- Recreate realistic sunlight. It adds a feeling of life and reality to an image. Try to imagine how the sun would shine in the actual room.
- Remember that a careful balance of ambient and direct light sources is the key to convincing lighting, so don’t be afraid to make adjustments to see how they affect the 3D view.
3D Component tab
The Lights area of the 3D component tab contains four options: Ceiling grid light, Fluorescent light, Spotlight, and Window light.
Ceiling grid light
A ceiling grid light system is a good way to achieve pleasant and balanced general lighting in a room. The lighting can either be recessed into the ceiling or on the surface, depending on the elevation.
The Ceiling grid light component
To place a ceiling grid light, follow these steps:
- Create a plain ceiling in the Wall Drawing component tab.
- Click the 3D tab and select the Ceiling grid light component.
- Move the mouse pointer to the drawing area. A box with a light in each corner is attached to the mouse pointer. This is the grid.
- In the 2D view, click once to set the starting point (top left) of the grid. Release the mouse button.
- Stretch the grid diagonally to the desired size.
- In the properties box, set the elevation of the ceiling and the spacing between each light.
- Click once to set the end point (bottom right) of the grid.
A room with ceiling grid light
After inserting a ceiling light grid, you can make adjustments in the Light Settings dialog.
- The number of spotlights in a drawing is limited to 100 per grid. Many light sources in a drawing will cause a slower rendering.
- Spotlights will, by default, not print in 2D.
Fluorescent ceiling light
You can use individual fluorescent ceiling lights in your drawing as needed. You can use the Light Settings dialog to control one light or a group of lights.
The Fluorescent light icon on the 3D component tab.
To place a fluorescent ceiling light, follow these steps:
- Create a plain ceiling in the Wall Drawing component tab.
- Click the 3D tab and select the Fluorescent light component.
- Move the mouse pointer to the drawing area. A light is attached to the mouse pointer.
- Click once to place the light. A new light is attached to the mouse pointer. If you do not wish to place any more lights move the mouse pointer outside the drawing area, or hit Esc.
A fluorescent ceiling light and the Light Settings dialog
Spotlight
You can manually place spotlights in the drawing area and move them as you like. Spotlights are primarily used as directed light sources.
The spotlight icon on the 3D component tab
When placing a spotlight, it is best to immediately direct the light and set the distance between the actual source of light and the object to be illuminated.
Follow these steps:
- Click the 3D tab and select the Spotlight component.
- Move the mouse pointer to the drawing area. The tool will place with two left clicks. A black cross will be attached to the mouse pointer; this is the target point.
- Click the target point in place in the 2D drawing area. The spotlight will now be attached to the mouse pointer.
- Click the spotlight in place in the drawing area (a short distance from the object you wish to light).
- A new light is attached to the mouse pointer. If you do not wish to place any more lights move the mouse pointer outside the drawing area, or hit Esc.
A Spotlight in 3D and the Light Settings dialog
Window light
You can place a Window light on the outside to have light coming in a window. You can use the Light Settings dialog to control one light or a group of lights.
The Window light icon on the 3D component tab.
To add a window light, follow these steps:
- Place a window in a wall. Use the green arrows in the center of the selected window so that the blue triangle attached to the window is on the outside of the building.
- Click the 3D tab and select the Window light component.
- Move the mouse pointer to the drawing area. A sun is attached to the mouse pointer.
- Move the mouse pointer close to the window. The sun snaps to the window and places itself on the outside of the window, arrow pointing in.
- Click to place the window light. A new window light is attached to the mouse pointer. Move the mouse pointer outside the drawing area if you do not wish to place more window lights.
- The window light is now attached to the window and will move along with it. To remove the window light from the window, select the window light while in single select mode and press delete, or click on the yellow triangle connecting the window light to the blue triangle.
A window light shown in the 2D view
A Window light in 3D and the Light Settings dialog
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