RECESSED LIGHTING LIGHT DATA SETTINGS?

[sthieldesign]

Does anyone have a favorite light data setting for their recessed lighting?  I am trying to create a better PBR rendering by changing the light data settings.

Attached is a PBR of what I am working on.  Just not happy with how it is lighting. 

I attached an image of my rendering and light data settings.

Any help is appreciated!

Susan

[robdyck]

Before adjusting the light settings, it's a good idea to create a new light set. I give them a name that coordinates with the camera name or the room name that the light set will be used in.

[Renerabbitt]

What is the look you would like to achieve and I could give you settings based on that. Maybe a source image to reference?

 

[ericepv]

I've always found it most effective to use additional light sources as fill.

[sthieldesign]

Thank you all!  I am trying to create an evening shot. I am just not sure why the light spread starts a third the way down the wall?

Susan

[ProPlan_2011]

Look at Cut off angle and Drop rate.

[GeneDavis]

Build a 12 x 12 room, 8 foot ceiling height, draw a cabinet and place it at center, center a recessed light over it, and experiment.  Try different offsets like 2, 3, and 4 inches away for the source, start low at maybe 30 lumens, set the beam spread angle at 120 or 150, no shadows, and the drop off at maybe 50, and then dial down spread, then drop off a little, then up lumens, until you think you have something you like.

 

Most importantly, observe in your own living spaces that have recessed lights, what is happening with the light.  Take a notepad or a clipboard with a white sheet on it, and move it around at various distances to see what your eyes discern in brightness.  The typical LED spot you buy at Depot or Lowes has a big beamspread even though it is called a spot.  And a sloppy (by that I mean big number) fall off rate.

 

I need to add the undercab LED strips in this tiny kitchen, but the ceiling cans in the pic have settings you might try.  

[robdyck]

1 hour ago, sthieldesign said:

Thank you all!  I am trying to create an evening shot. I am just not sure why the light spread starts a third the way down the wall?

Susan

It does that because it is set to do that.

An efficient way to get great help would be to post the plan file. Then all these first responders would probably make adjustments to your lights in your model and post the results. It'd be like having a small army of minions add their knowledge to the actual issue instead of all of us merely speculating. And while different people know different things about lighting and rendering, we simply can't recreate all the different aspects that affect your specific scene.

[robdyck]

Here's a kitchen scene with my recessed light settings. 

It has some issues, most notably they're too bright on the floor.

This effect can be reduced by lowering the lumens and/or the drop off rate.

[Rich_Winsor]

I find that the easiest way to determine what effect

lights are having in a scene is to check the "show

position in camera view" box and give the light a

distinctive color.