Using an object as a light source

[ratbaggy]

are you using a plugin renderer?
which one?
what version of max are you using?
does it have to be simulated or realistic?

come on. a little more info would help.

[insect666]

Just add lights in it and exclude the cube from the light's exclude/include list, so that it wouldn't cast shadows and be illuminated by the lights... :)

[little]

in max 5 you can go into mat editor and change the mat type to advanced lighting override
then go to render -> advanced lighting ( or hot key 9 ) and then chose light tracer
to make the object cast light the bounce has to be above 2 i think
hope that makes sense
http://littlebigtoe.com/wip/max5/Untitled.jpg

[himizu]

I'm using Max 4, Default Scanline Renderer (I can't get Brazil to do reflections and transparency), and I want it to be pretty much simulated/unrealistic.

[himizu]

What I meant was making the cube look like it's glowing and actually having it emit light.

[insect666]

Oh... is that so. :curious:
In that case:
1. rightclick on the object -> "properties" and give the object a channel (like "1").
2. Go to "render" -> "effects" and add a "lense effects" effect.
3. select it , scroll down a bit - there should be two boxes. Select the "glow" in the left box and click the ">>" button.
4. select the glow (in the right box now) scroll down. There should be some tab named like "options" or something like that, I don't really remember. Go there. there should be a field named "object ID". Check the box on the left and enter a number (that you gave to the object. in this case - 1) in the field.
5. mess around with the settings a bit... :) You can check the "interactive" check-box somewhere at the top, so that you wouldn't have to re-render the scene again.

Have fun, enjoy, good luck, etc... :wavey:

[Fozzie]

Another alternative is to look for a free plugin/script called LightMesh that would add a whole bunch of omnis to the verticies of a choosen mesh.

Foz

[himizu]

where can this "lightmesh" be found?

[JuRrAsStOiL]

www.gfx-inside.net

[himizu]

thanks for the help all

[himizu]

gee thanks for the link. gah it's german! no worries though, i know enough to get registered and dl the plugin.

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