Forums >> Community >> Newbies >> Ceiling Lights don't self-illuminate

cummings9306

active

Joined: Wed, Mar 24, 2010
10 Posts
No Rating

Hello,

I've been experimenting with ceiling lights.  For some reason, when rendered, the lights don't show up from the parabolic fixtures.  I just can't seem to figure this out.  Artificial lights is set in the rendering dialogue box and the lights are turned on.  I've uploaded the simple model indicating the problem.  Adjusting the exposure does not get the recessed lights to render, it only brightens up the room.  Anyone got any ideas??

This user is offline

jlights

active

Joined: Tue, Dec 18, 2007
146 Posts

There could be several problems here. First, make sure your light source is properly defined (i.e., make the shape correspond with the shape of the opening of the light). Next, in the Family Types dialog box, make sure "Emit shape visible in rendering" is checked. The "emit shape" is the shape you of your light source object, which you just checked and/or changed. Next, check the location of your light source. If it's too far inside the fixture you won't see it. Try placing it at the opening, level with the ceiling. You can also try creating a clear glass "lens" at the front of the fixture and assigning it a material of "light bulb on" for rendering purposes. Make sure the glass is transparent so it doesn't block the light from the light source. Also, sometimes if you are rendering in Draft or Low mode, you  may get odd results with the lights, so try using at least Medium.

Hope this helps. BTW, there was no file attached to your post.

-----------------------------------

jlights

This user is offline

View Website

WWHub

site moderator|||

Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
13079 Posts

Another problem is if the light is hosed by a ceiling and if it is recessed, does the light actually cut the ceiling?  If you are using linked files and face based fixtures, you need to "own" the ceiling in order for your light to cut the ceiling.

This user is offline

AbsoluteBIM

active

Joined: Fri, Jun 17, 2011
220 Posts

are your lights illuminating your scene and just not appearing is being on? Maybe just toy with your materials and make your lens material "self-illuminate".

This user is offline

jlights

active

Joined: Tue, Dec 18, 2007
146 Posts

And if it's a face-based family, it needs to have a void extrusion that cuts the generic surface in the family in order to cut the ceiling in the project. Ceiling-hosted lighting fixture families have this feature built in, but best practice for lighting fixture families is to build them in the Generic Face-Based family, not the Ceiling hosted family, as the latter are not useable by anyone working in a linked model.

-----------------------------------

jlights

This user is offline

View Website

jlights

active

Joined: Tue, Dec 18, 2007
146 Posts

And if it's a face-based family, it needs to have a void extrusion that cuts the generic surface in the family in order to cut the ceiling in the project. Ceiling-hosted lighting fixture families have this feature built in, but best practice for lighting fixture families is to build them in the Generic Face-Based family, not the Ceiling hosted family, as the latter are not useable by anyone working in a linked model.

-----------------------------------

jlights

This user is offline

View Website

jlights

active

Joined: Tue, Dec 18, 2007
146 Posts

And if it's a face-based family, it needs to have a void extrusion that cuts the generic surface in the family in order to cut the ceiling in the project. Ceiling-hosted lighting fixture families have this feature built in, but best practice for lighting fixture families is to build them in the Generic Face-Based family, not the Ceiling hosted family, as the latter are not useable by anyone working in a linked model.

-----------------------------------

jlights

This user is offline

View Website

Lights Illuminate the Room but don't Look Illuminated Themselves

10

Ceiling grid rotates when mirrored, lights fixtures don't.

3

Illuminating Pendant Lights

3

Lighting difficulties

1

Ceiling lights not working

6