Radiosity Pro Update Feature

The Update feature allows you to change the amount of energy released for each light, or its distribution characteristics, after running the radiosity calculation. This makes it possible to adjust the amount of light and color balance quickly without recalculating radiosity for the entire scene.

Using the Update Feature

To update the radiosity solution, click the Update button in the Radiosity Window.

Radiosity

Using Auto Update

To automatically update radiosity with changes to lights in the scene, select the Auto Update checkbox on the Solution tab of the Radiosity Window. The Radiosity Window will automatically update when you make changes to lights that support this feature.

Radiosity

Supported Light Settings

The radiosity solution can be updated without running the calculation again when applying any of the following light settings:

• Changing the intensity of the distant light, point lights or spotlights
• Moving the distant light, point lights or spotlights
• Changing the diffuse color of the distant light, point lights or spotlights
• Adding or removing spotlights

Caution The Update feature does not support linear lights or area lights.

(An example using the Update feature: the top image shows the original light settings; the bottom image was rendered after changing the intensity and angle of the spotlights.)

Using the Update Feature in a Sample Scene

Here we will practice using the Update feature with a sample scene. In ShadeExplorer, under Presets and in the Documentation - Radiosity folder, find "sample_room2.shd" and open it.

Compared to "sample_room.shd" the area lights which light the scene are set darker, and several spotlights provide lighting. Let's modify the spotlight settings.

First let's change the intensity of the spotlights so they are brighter. Here we will change the intensity of "Spotlight A" from 600 to 1000, and "Spotlight B" from 800 to 1200.

After changing the intensity of the spotlights, click the Update button in the Radiosity Window. After a short wait, the radiosity solution is updated with the new intensity settings of the spotlights.

Radiosity

If we render the scene now, the updated radiosity solution (with the modified spotlight settings) will be used when rendering.

Likewise, making the spotlights darker, changing their angle, or changing their softness can also be updated in the radiosity solution.
Here we have changed "Spotlight A," "Spotlight B" and "Spotlight C" to the following settings:

The updated radiosity solution and the rendered image are below.

Refer to the section "Supported Light Settings" for other settings that the Update feature supports. Naturally this can be combined with exposure correction, making the process of trial-and-error smooth, and helping you create the perfect scene.