Table Of Content
Aesthetic 3D Lighting:
History, Theory, and Application
Aesthetic 3D Lighting: History, Theory, and Application delves into the history, the theory, and the practical
and aesthetic application of lighting in the fine arts and 3D animation.
In this book, animation industry veteran and lighting expert Lee Lanier examines the importance of lighting
and its ability to communicate information to the viewer. Lee examines the history of lighting as applied to the
fine arts, film, photography, and 3D animation. He discusses the use of light color, light location and direction,
and light shadow types to recreate specific locations and to generate moods. He includes guides for successful
lighting in 3D animation. Software agnostic examples lead you through useful 3D lighting set-ups. Chap-
ter-long case studies step you through more complex 3D lighting projects in Autodesk Maya. An accompany-
ing eResource (www.routledge.com/9781138737570) features 3D model files, project files, and texture
bitmaps, allowing you to practice the discussed techniques in Autodesk Maya and many other 3D programs.
The lighting techniques covered in this book include:
• History of lighting as used in the fine arts
• The scientific mechanisms of light
• Light types and light application in 3D programs
• Light qualities including shadows variations
• Basic and advanced 3D lighting approaches
• 1-, 2-, 3-point, naturalistic, stylistic, and character lighting techniques
• Replication of real-world lighting scenarios and locations
• Overview of advanced 3D lighting and rendering systems
Lee Lanier has worked as a professional computer animator and VFX (visual effects) artist since 1994. He has
more than 70 features, shorts, music videos, trailers, and commercials to his credit. Lee has written a doz-
en high-end software books that have sold more than 35,000 copies, has authored VFX training videos for
LinkedIn and lynda.com, has taught VFX compositing at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood,
and is a member of the Visual Effects Society. A strong supporter of the arts, Lee co-founded the Dam Short
Film Festival and is an avid painter and illustrator. You can see his work at beezlebugbit.com and
diabolica-art.com.
Feedback and questions are always welcome. You can contact Lee at [email protected] or find
him on popular social media networks.
Image copyright enki / 123RF Stock Photo. Photo.
Taylor & Francis
Taylor & Francis Group
http://taylorandfrancis.com
Aesthetic 3D
Lighting
History, Theory, and Application
Lee Lanier
R
O Routledge
U
T
L
E Taylor & Francis Group
D
G
E
NEW YORK AND LONDON
First published 2018
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2018 Lee Lanier
The right of Lee Lanier to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with
sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any elec-
tronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording,
or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only
for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Names: Lanier, Lee, 1966- author.
Title: Aesthetic 3D lighting : history, theory, and application / Lee Lanier.
Description: New York : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018. | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017057458 | ISBN 9781138737563 (hardback) |
ISBN 9781138737570 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781315185279 (e-book)
Subjects: LCSH: Cinematography--Lighting. | Animation. | Lighting, Architectural and decorative. |
Light in art. | Three-dimensional imaging.
Classification: LCC TR891 .L37 2018 | DDC 777/.52--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017057458
Publisher’s note: This book has been prepared from camera-ready copy prepared by the author.
Typeset in Myriad Pro
by BeezleBug Bit, LLC
Contents
Contents
Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- xi
Chapter 1: The Importance of Light and Lighting ---------------------------- 1
Light and Lighting ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
Information Communicated by Light---------------------------------------------------------- 2
Time of Day -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
Light Sources and Location ------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Mood ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Sidebar: Point-of-Views ------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Sidebar: Light Shadowing ---------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Scientific Underpinnings of Light --------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Wavelength, Color, and Temperature ------------------------------------------------ 6
Reflection, Transmission, and Absorption ------------------------------------------- 7
Goals of Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9
Story Communication ------------------------------------------------------------------ 9
Visual Clarity -------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Replication of Real World Locations ------------------------------------------------ 11
Aesthetic Stylization -------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Chapter 2: The History of Lighting in the Arts ----------------------------- 15
Review of Light Categories ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
Review of Point Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
0-Point Lighting -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
1-Point Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19
2-Point Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22
2-Point Lighting in Portraiture ------------------------------------------------------------------ 23
Rembrandt Lighting -------------------------------------------------------------------- 23
Loop Lighting ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
Split Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25
Butterfly Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26
Broad and Short Lighting -------------------------------------------------------------- 27
High- and Low-key Lighting ----------------------------------------------------------- 27
Detail from Portrait of an Old Woman, 1720-1745, by Balthasar Denner. Public
domain photos provided by The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei.
v
Contents
Sidebar: Hard and Soft Lighting --------------------------------------------------------- 29
3-Point Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 31
3-Point Lighting with a Background Light --------------------------------------------------- 33
Other Limited Light Variations ------------------------------------------------------------------ 34
Naturalistic Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36
Stylistic Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 39
Sidebar: A Note on Video Games and Stop Motion Animation ---------------------------- 39
Chapter 3: Lighting in 3D ------------------------------------------------------------ 41
3D Lighting Pipelines and Workflow ----------------------------------------------------------- 42
Collecting Light Information -------------------------------------------------------- 42
Lighting Determination Examples -------------------------------------------------- 44
3D Lighting Steps ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 46
Testing 3D Lighting ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 48
Sidebar: Working with Color Calibration --------------------------------------------- 49
Working with 3D Lights --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50
Common 3D Light Types -------------------------------------------------------------- 50
Spot Light ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 50
Point Light ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 51
Directional Light -------------------------------------------------------------- 52
Ambient Light ----------------------------------------------------------------- 52
Area Light ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 52
Sidebar: Using Light Decay ------------------------------------------------------------- 53
Common 3D Light Properties -------------------------------------------------------- 54
Shadow Variations Among Lights --------------------------------------------------- 56
Shadow Approaches -------------------------------------------------------------------- 58
Specialized 3D Light Types ------------------------------------------------------------ 59
Mesh ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 59
Cylindrical ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 60
Environment ------------------------------------------------------------------- 60
Photometric -------------------------------------------------------------------- 61
Volume --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 61
Renderer Variations ----------------------------------------------------------- 61
3D Light Interaction with Shaders -------------------------------------------------- 62
Common Shader Properties -----------------------------------------------------------65
Sidebar: Texture Overview -------------------------------------------------------------- 69
Chapter 4: Emulating Specific Light Sources ------------------------------------ 71
Emulating Natural Light Sources ------------------------------------------------------------------ 72
Sidebar: Source Models and Textures --------------------------------------------------- 72
Mid-day Sun ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 72
Sidebar: PBR Options --------------------------------------------------------------------- 74
vi
Contents
Sunset -----------=----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 76
Candle Flame -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 76
Diffuse Window Light ------------------------------------------------------------------- 78
Emulating Artificial Light Sources ----------------------------------------------------------------- 81
Table Lamp ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 81
Sidebar: Selective Shadow Casting ----------------------------------------------------- 84
Neon Sign ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 84
Christmas Lights ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86
Lighting a Character with Different Light Sources ------------------------------------------- 88
Sidebar: Light and Shadow Linking -------------------------------------------------------------- 93
Chapter 5: Working with PBR Systems ----------------------------------------- 95
Choosing PBR --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 96
Review of Common Rendering Systems ----------------------------------------------------- 96
Scanline ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 96
Ray Tracing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 97
Overview of PBR Systems ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 98
Review of Common PBR Systems ------------------------------------------------------------ 100
GI ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100
Photon Mapping ------------------------------------------------------------ 100
Final Gather ------------------------------------------------------------------ 102
Radiosity ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 102
Point Cloud ------------------------------------------------------------------- 103
Irradiance Cache ------------------------------------------------------------- 103
Path Tracing / Monte Carlo Ray Tracing ------------------------------- 103
IBL ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 106
Sky Systems ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 107
Sidebar: Overview of Advanced 3D Renderers ------------------------------------------------- 108
Sidebar: Unbiased vs. Biased Rendering ------------------------------------------------------- 109
An Introduction to Render Passes / AOVs -------------------------------------------------- 109
Sidebar: Lighting Render Passes ---------------------------------------------------------------- 111
Chapter 6: Reproducing Locations and Lighting Characters ------------- 113
Lighting Locations and Characters ----------------------------------------------------------- 116
Reproducing Lighting at Specific Locations ----------------------------------------------- 116
Location #1: Elevator Landing ------------------------------------------------------ 114
Location #2: Bus Interior ------------------------------------------------------------- 120
Location #3: Outer Space ------------------------------------------------------------ 122
Designing Character Lighting ----------------------------------------------------------------- 125
Sidebar: Character Lighting Pitfalls ------------------------------------------------------------ 129
Sidebar: Measuring Light in Stops -------------------------------------------------------------- 131
vii
Contents
Chapter 7 : Designing Stylistic Lighting -------------------------------------- 133
Stylistic Planning ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 134
Generating a Mood ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 134
Creating a Tribute to Other Art Forms ----------------------------------------------- 134
Creating a Visually Unconventional Look ------------------------------------------- 138
Establishing a Parallel World or Timeline ------------------------------------------- 140
Stylized 3D Examples ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 136
Sidebar: Motion Blur and Other Post-Process Effects --------------------------------------- 145
Case Study 1: Copying a Renaissance Still Life --------------------------- 147
Using Autodesk Maya with the V-Ray Renderer ------------------------------------------ 148
Sidebar: Reloading Missing Texture Bitmaps ------------------------------------------------- 148
Sidebar: Gamma-Corrected Views -------------------------------------------------------------- 150
Switching to the Arnold Renderer ----------------------------------------------------------- 156
Creating a Window Reflection ----------------------------------------------------------------- 159
Adjusting the Render Quality ----------------------------------------------------------------- 162
Sidebar: Determining Values -------------------------------------------------------------------- 164
Case Study 2: Lighting a Complex Night Interior --------------------------- 167
Using Autodesk Maya with the Maya Software Renderer -------------------------- 168
Switching to the V-Ray Renderer and Adding Fog ---------------------------------------- 177
Case Study 3: Lighting an Animated Animal Character ------------------ 185
Using Autodesk Maya with the Maya Software Renderer ----------------------------- 186
Switching to the Arnold Renderer and Adding a Sky Shader ------------------------- 193
Sidebar: Creating Skies in 3D --------------------------------------------------------------------- 197
Epilogue: The Future of 3D Lighting ------------------------------------------- 199
Appendix: Visual Lighting Glossary -------------------------------------------- 203
0-Point Lighting --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 203
1-Point Lighting --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 203
2-Point Lighting --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 203
3-Point Lighting --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204
Ambient Light ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204
Area Light ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204
Back Light ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204
Background Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204
Bounced Light ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204
Color Bleed ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 205
Color Temperature ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 205
Butterfly Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 205
Depth Map Shadow --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 205
Diffuse --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 205
Directional Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 206
viii
Contents
Environment Light ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206
Eye Light ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206
Fill Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 206
Final Gather (GI) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206
Fresnel Reflection ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 207
Glamour Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 207
Hair Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 207
Hard Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 207
High-key ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 207
IBL (Image-based Lighting) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 208
Key Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 208
Kicker (Light) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 208
Lighting Ratio ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 208
Light Ray ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 208
Loop Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 208
Low-key ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 209
Mesh Light --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 209
Naturalistic Lighting --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 209
Path Tracing (GI) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 209
PBR (Physically-Based Rendering) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 209
Photometric Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 209
Photon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 209
Photon Mapping (GI) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 209
Point Light ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 210
Radiosity (GI) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 210
Ray Tracing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 210
Ray Trace Shadow ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 210
Refraction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 210
Rembrandt Lighting -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 210
Renderer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 211
Rim Light ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 211
Shader (Material) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 211
Secondary Diffuse Illumination ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 211
Silhouette Lighting ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 211
Sky System --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 211
Soft Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 211
Specularity ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 211
Split Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 213
Spot Light ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 213
Stylistic Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 213
Utility Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 213
Volume Light ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 214
Appendix: Common Question Index ------------------------------------------- 215
Index ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 219
ix
