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View Full Version : Suggestions for Lighting a Stage Enviroment in Maya?

Jola'Edana
03-03-2005, 12:01 AM
Hey there folks.

I'm creating a lit stage enviroment for my short animation in Maya, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on the best way to approach it.

I'll admit, I'm pretty much a lighting noob- animation has been my focus for the majority of school. I know the basics, know three point lighting, and I understand that lighting in Maya takes more lights than film lighting to compensate for the lack of bounced light... but I'll be the first to admit that's all I know.

I've got a few stage lighting plots (I have too much theater background for my own good) and I was going to use those as a starting point. Would it be better to focus on lighting each individual object or character, and then have their lights track them? Or would you reccomend something altogether different? I am looking for a 'dusty, very atmospheric beams of light in a dark auditorium' look.

It seems like lighting is one of those things everyone has their own closely guarded secrets on, but I would apprecieate any tips or links to tutorials anyone might feel like tossing my way.

Thanks in advance!

~Audrey
Jola'Edana
03-06-2005, 05:04 AM
No fish biting on this one, huh? Well, I shall see what books I can dig up around school I guess.... :shrug:
jeremybirn
03-06-2005, 10:54 AM
Would it be better to focus on lighting each individual object or character, and then have their lights track them? Or would you reccomend something altogether different? I am looking for a 'dusty, very atmospheric beams of light in a dark auditorium' look.

If you're trying to simulate a hand-aimed spotlight, there would probably only be one or two, just on the main characters or action. Try keyframing it instead of constraining to automatically track the character, maybe one keyframe every 10 or 15 frames sometimes, or slow it down or stop it if the action is in one place. Sometimes it can lag the action a bit, but if the action is rehearsed, sometimes it could start adjusting before the characters move as well. Remember in real life that if the spotlight's cone angle gets adjusted broader, that decreases its intensity, and if it tightens up on someone, it gets brighter.

-jeremy
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03-06-2005, 10:54 AM
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