GlowEffector Applications

Applying Individual Settings to Lights

Select the point light, spotlight, or distribution light you wish to use, and select Set GlowEffector Light Attributes... from the Browser's Attributes pop-up menu to open the GlowEffector Settings dialog box. Settings can be applied to individual lights from this dialog box.

GlowEffector Settings Dialog Box

GlowEffector Settings

Add Lens Flare Checkbox

When selected, lens flare is calculated for the light.

Add Lens Streaks Checkbox

When selected, lens streaks are shown.

Add LensFlareGhosts Checkbox

When selected, ghosting is calculated for the light.

Blending with the Image

The Backdrop feature is useful when blending lens flare with an existing image.

1. Adjust the render size to match the image you wish to blend, set the image as a backdrop, and render.
   
2. Adjust the settings in the GlowEffector dialog box and render again.
   
   Alternatively, use the Image Window's Merge feature to blend the lens flare with an existing image.

Combined with Distant Light Glare

If an object is in front of the light, select the Ignore Shielding checkbox to draw lens flare. In this case the lens flare is drawn in front of the object. Distant Light Glare is drawn behind the object, so GlowEffector's lens flare can draw ghosting and streaks, while the Glare can be drawn behind the object.

1. Because the object is in front of the light, lens flares are not drawn.
   
2. Select the Ignore Shielding checkbox to draw lens flare. The flare is drawn in front of the object.
   
3. Turn off the Distant Light Flare parameter on the Lens Flare tab.
   
4. Turn on Distant Light Glare.
   
5. Turn on only Ghost and Streak and render the image.
   

Combined with Point Light Volume Lighting

By using a point light with volume lighting settings as a flare, the lens flare can appear to illuminate its surroundings better.

1. Place a point light at the end of the club.
   
2. Set the point light as a Volume Light. The surrounding objects are lit up.
   
3. Turn on lens flare and render the image.
   

Transparent Objects in Front of the Light

When a transparent object is in front of the light, the lens flare's brightness will be proportional to the level of transparency.

    
(From left: Transparency 0.0, 0.5, 1.0)

Animating Lens Flare

When animating lights with GlowEffector in a scene, the lens flare's position and ghosting distance will move with the light. A light joint can also be used to change the Brightness.