Second Life Forums Archive

Clinton Stravinsky

Registered User

Join date: 12 Sep 2004

Posts: 33

10-23-2004 10:53

Hi,

i'd like to build something that emits a lightbeam. Could someone please give me a pointer on how to make objects emit light.

Thank you,

C.

Cross Lament

Loose-brained Vixen

Join date: 20 Mar 2004

Posts: 1,115

10-23-2004 12:48

From: Clinton Stravinsky

Hi,

i'd like to build something that emits a lightbeam. Could someone please give me a pointer on how to make objects emit light.

Thank you,

C.

Currently, light is a 'material type' for a prim. If you edit the prim (or object), and flip over to the Object tab, object material should be a drop-down at the bottom. Choose 'Light', and the object will begin emitting light.

As for light 'beams', there's currently no way to to create a 'real' directional light, as you would in a lot of FPS level building applications and whatnot. Closest approximation is a semi-transparent, gradient-textured cone, set as phantom and 'light', to create the appearance of a light-beam.

_____________________

- Making everyone's day just a little more surreal -

Teeple Linden: "OK, where did the tentacled thing go while I was playing with my face?"

Spider Mandala

Photshop Ninja

Join date: 29 Aug 2003

Posts: 194

10-24-2004 11:32

Yup cross is right, thats currently the best way to do either floodlights, volumetric cones even more "advanced" stuff like hologram projectors or laser beams. texturing the light cone with a white to alpha gradient helps a lot. Also if the light is going to be stationary and not panning and turning around... there are a lot of effects that can be done to enhance the effect of the spotlight on whatever its shining on... contact me in world if youd like some help.

_____________________

"There's an old saying in Tennessee, I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee, that says, fool me once... shame on... shame on you. You fool me, you can't get fooled again."
-George W. Bush
East Literature Magnet School, Nashville, Tennessee, Sep. 17, 2002

Alicia Eldritch

the greatest newbie ever.

Join date: 13 Nov 2004

Posts: 267

11-22-2004 12:43

also, add an outward pointing cone-cylinder of something dark and reflective around the base, so that the brightest light doesn't ball up around the top of the beam.

Tharkis Olafson

I like cheese

Join date: 17 Nov 2004

Posts: 134

11-26-2004 12:55

Spider,

Mind if I contact you in world on something related to this? I hate to crash a thread, but I'm really stuck trying to get something to work.

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Clinton Stravinsky Registered User Join date: 12 Sep 2004 Posts: 33	10-23-2004 10:53 Hi, i'd like to build something that emits a lightbeam. Could someone please give me a pointer on how to make objects emit light. Thank you, C.
Cross Lament Loose-brained Vixen Join date: 20 Mar 2004 Posts: 1,115	10-23-2004 12:48 From: Clinton Stravinsky Hi, i'd like to build something that emits a lightbeam. Could someone please give me a pointer on how to make objects emit light. Thank you, C. Currently, light is a 'material type' for a prim. If you edit the prim (or object), and flip over to the Object tab, object material should be a drop-down at the bottom. Choose 'Light', and the object will begin emitting light. As for light 'beams', there's currently no way to to create a 'real' directional light, as you would in a lot of FPS level building applications and whatnot. Closest approximation is a semi-transparent, gradient-textured cone, set as phantom and 'light', to create the appearance of a light-beam. _____________________ - Making everyone's day just a little more surreal - Teeple Linden: "OK, where did the tentacled thing go while I was playing with my face?"
Spider Mandala Photshop Ninja Join date: 29 Aug 2003 Posts: 194	10-24-2004 11:32 Yup cross is right, thats currently the best way to do either floodlights, volumetric cones even more "advanced" stuff like hologram projectors or laser beams. texturing the light cone with a white to alpha gradient helps a lot. Also if the light is going to be stationary and not panning and turning around... there are a lot of effects that can be done to enhance the effect of the spotlight on whatever its shining on... contact me in world if youd like some help. _____________________ "There's an old saying in Tennessee, I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee, that says, fool me once... shame on... shame on you. You fool me, you can't get fooled again." -George W. Bush East Literature Magnet School, Nashville, Tennessee, Sep. 17, 2002
Alicia Eldritch the greatest newbie ever. Join date: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 267	11-22-2004 12:43 also, add an outward pointing cone-cylinder of something dark and reflective around the base, so that the brightest light doesn't ball up around the top of the beam.
Tharkis Olafson I like cheese Join date: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 134	11-26-2004 12:55 Spider, Mind if I contact you in world on something related to this? I hate to crash a thread, but I'm really stuck trying to get something to work.