Sunlight

[ibanezfender]

Hi everyone.
I now have quite a bit of experience mapping with UT2004 editor, but now i am trying to make my first ut3 map.

It is an outdoor map (additive world) with some indoor sections and i was wondering how to get a sunlight-like effect. i tried skylight in the actor browser and that doesn't have shadows. there is light under the roof of a building which should be full of shade, but it's bright, kind of like ambient zone light in UE2.

How do i get an outdoor light effect that casts shadows?

thanks.

[Sly.]

Try it with directional light actors placed all over the map which point into the same direction. I also can't recall seeing a Sunlight actor in UT3Ed like that one you could add in the UEd3 but I'm also relative new to the UE3 and don't know every single actor yet.

If there is a better solution then it would be great if a more experienced UT3 mapper could post it.

[Axeman]

Yep- Sly is right. Directional lights. I typically have one for direct sunlight then a softer light pointed in the opposite direction of the sunlight so shadows aren't completely black.

[Sly.]

Oh then I mistook them with the spotlights (I have no clue why. I use them quite often in UE2). lol
Still the answer is right if I correct one thing...

Try it with some directional light actors which point into different direction for a better result.

So they act like the Sunlight actor right?
Every day you learn something new

[Axeman]

Yeah- directional lights will give you sunlight. Doesn't even matter where you place them.
You can then use spotlights to give extra brightness on areas where the sun is hitting. I did that somewhat on EpicBoy.

[stevelois]

I have a tut about lighting on my homepage.

Each light actor is described to help you out

[ibanezfender]

When i try to use directional light, it doesn't work after i build everything. there is no reason that i can find. i've tried putting it close, far, and everywhere in between.

is there something you have to do with a zone info or level properties or something?
i don't even think there is zone info in this unrealed.

[[GOW] K1lla]

When i try to use directional light, it doesn't work after i build everything. there is no reason that i can find. i've tried putting it close, far, and everywhere in between.

make sure you turn off accept lights and cast shadows on your sky dome. again... it doesn't matter where the directional light is placed inside your map.

is there something you have to do with a zone info or level properties or something? i don't even think there is zone info in this unrealed.

there is world properties... but no... there's nothing to do with lighting in there.

[Odedge]

In addition to Daquila's suggestion...

• Don't use too many directional lights as 1 actor will cast light over the entire map (in the direction of the actor).
• You can rotate the direction of the directional light, which will effect where it casts light (high noon vs sun setting/rising). The position of the actor doesn't matter (x, y, z values), only the rotation of it.
• Use a skylight actor as well (with a very low brightness) to fill in very dark areas.

For future info, check out my UT 3 Tutorial list in my signature.

[FragTastic]

and dont have a directional light pointing straight down. It must be at least a little off directly down as it causes z fighting when its at exactly 90 degrees to the ground. Be careful not to use skylights that are too bright or they will obviously drown out your shadows.

Check out the lighting tutorial on udn its very [Bad Pun Alert!] "illuminating"
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/LightingReference.html

[EDIT] Daquila is right about the cast shadows on the skydome. The shadow of the skydome will drown out lights UNDER the skydome which is a bit weird when you first come across it I remem myself lol