country Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 I would like to cheat on my exterior lighting so the views have better shadows. I haven't been able to get anything to work. It always reverts to the proper sun direction based on the site. Is there no ability to move a light source around for this. Should I save-as and then totally change the north arrow for each view? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidJPotter Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 Look under 2D CAD - Line tools - Sun Shadow, once that is created you have total control over the Sun and shadows. DJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcaffee Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Sherry, yes, spin the North arrow; but draw a parallel reference CAD line so you can reset it when you're done shooting the artsy stuff. jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
country Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 Thanks for the suggestions. I did try the sun shadow but maybe didn't do it right. Does the sun shadow only work if there isn't a north arrow? I'll try it again and then try Jons suggestion with the north arrow too and see what works the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcaffee Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 The sun shadow and north arrow are used together. jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
country Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 I will hunt for some more online info tomorrow. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gawdzira Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I place a north arrow and sun angle. Adjust the time of day/year on the sun to get the vertical angle. Rotate the north arrow to change the direction. I almost always cheat the sun to get good shadows to help show three dimensionality with little regard for reality. I am crazy like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
country Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 I did add the sun angle, changed time and then rotated the north arrow. Worked great. Like you Alan, I think reality is vastly overrated. I am all for the pretty picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis_Gavin Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Ditto! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcaffee Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Save yourself some grief and remember to add an "Artistic License" disclaimer to any stylized shots you submit to gov't (or customers) for review. I watched a client get raked over the coals for 45 minutes in a very public forum because the shadows on some hand rendered project images didn't match the reality on the ground. Some anti-development types tried to create distrust within the larger community; claiming intentional deception. In reality, the artist just thought it looked good. jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan_Son Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 For those who don't know, if you tile your views, you can use the north arrow and the sun angle dbx and watch your changes take affect as you make them. Rotating the north arrow won't change the lighting till you let go of the mouse button but changes made in the sun angle dbx are essentially real time (i.e. scrolling through the time of day with your mouse wheel and you can watch the shadows spinning around your model). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis_Gavin Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Good Tip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
country Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 Really good advice Michael. Jon, this isn't an area where I have to worry about sun angles. I am only after the "pretty picture" and I always note that it is for illustration only, not for construction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina_Girerd Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 When I just need the "pretty picture" and don't care about reality, I make sure I do not have a sun angle in the file. Then when I'm in the 3D view where I want to adjust shadows, I select the "Adjust Lights" dbx, select the Default Sun and then I can adjust the tilt and the angle to exactly what I want. I find this much easier and quicker than trying to fake dates/times/locations on a regular sun angle to get what I want. I originally made a little cheat-sheet for myself to help get the shadows right for doll-house views, then found it helpful for other views too. I've attached it in case you find it helpful. And you can always put the sun angle back in when you need the real-life shadows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
country Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 This sound like it is definitely worth a try. I am starting to put my plot plan in a cad detail so the north reading will not effect my exterior views. Using a default sun should then work. Thanks for another option Christina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now