Basic IES Light Tutorial using V-Ray for SketchUp
By Nomer AdonaI am writing another IES lighting tutorial again
showing the basic steps in usingV-Ray for SketchUp 1.48.90and
future releases. Previously I had used 1.48.66 in my first IES
tutorial,IES Light Tutorial using V-Ray for SketchUpbut there
seemed to be a few little bugs with that particular updated
version.ASGVIS(now owned by Chaos Group) made a tremendous leap,
and I can really conclude thattheir newest build is much more
stable and easier to use.I planned to use the same file that I used
with the first tutorial, but I have decided to just model a quick
one for this new tutorial.I am using here also a photometric data
name 6B3_(100A19).ies that I have downloadedfor free fromLithonia,
orSketchUpArtists Download Sectionand found under Tutorial
Files.
In this tutorial, a special thanks to my friend Trang An. I am
using some of his excellent components here for the purpose of
seeing the overall effects of the IES lighting, insteadof just
using a simple room.In this tutorial, my materials have no
reflections, bump etc (except for the receptacles) forquick
rendering but later I will supply you hopefully with another
tutorial on how to playwith materials. Anyhow lets get started this
tutorial.1.SketchUp set up. Basic model and components.
Step 12.I have created a simple recessed light and made it into
component. Then, I copiedthis component into 4 more instances. This
is a good tip, so that when you place the V-Raylighting;
automatically you will have an instance of this lighting. This is
the same whenediting your V-Ray light, you will only edit one light
inside this component, and the otherlightings will be edited
automatically.In the following image, I created V-Ray IES lighting,
scaled it a bit and placed itbelow the receptacle.
Step 23.Then I clicked the IES light icon. Another menu box
appeared (see below). Thenunder sampling(File) I clicked the box
and browsed the IES photometric data (6B3_(100A19).ies.By default
the power is set to 0. Even with this, V-Ray SketchUp will read the
photometric data.
Step 3In my opinion, using V-Ray sun and V-Ray physical camera
is not necessary when rendering an enclosed space. This is
advisable especially for beginners. The reason is, you donthave to
spend a huge amount of time in balancing the sun and the physical
camera. V-Rayphysical camera works together with the V-Ray sun,
which is really a very strong light.The V-Ray physical camera acts
like a counter balance in correcting the exposure of theimage, much
like an actual photo camera where ISO, aperture size andshutter
speed enable to control the exposure.Again in this tutorial, the
V-Ray physical camera and the V-Ray sun were both turned off.Here
is the render.
Step 4 - RenderThe above render is already showing the effect of
the photometric lighting. On the other hand, Iwould want to see two
things the light source showing some lights and secondly I
wouldlike to increase the power of the IES lighting.5.To achieve
the first one, I am putting another rectangular light inside the
receptacle tosimulate the light source. The intensity of this
rectangular light is small. I enabled thelight, turned off the
shadow, made it invisible and double sided. Below is the screen
grabof my rectangular light settings.
Step 5Here is the render. Now the light source is showing on the
receptacles.
Step 5 - Render 1To solve the second problem, I simply increased
the multiplier of the IES light. Here Iused power = 7000. Below is
the render.
Step 5 - Render 26.If you want to change the color of the IES
light, you can do it by putting color to the filtercolor. Below I
used warm yellow.
Step 6 Final Render