[Duncan]

HI,
I'm feed up with the physical sun, having to rotate my scene to get the sun where I want it to shine.
So I'm going to use an emitter for the sun.
What settings is everyone using ?

Size of sun ?
wattage ?
shape of sun ? (sphere, plane, box ?)
distance from building ?

[Hervé]

I tlak for me...

I use a disc 2 meters wide, 100,000 watts, 1km from scene...

[Duncan]

Thanks Hervé,

I'll give that a go.

[Duncan]

Hi Herve,
I tried that and it doens't really light up the scene.
I was using
watts 100,000
emitter type D75.
My scene units and system are cm.

i tried a sphere 45cm wide
w 5000,000
6000cm distance from object seems to work.

[beppeg]

I never try this technique, but why don't you use a simple one-poly plane instead of a circle or a sphere? It would reduce the render time, I think

[Duncan]

I guess mainly for specular reflections, so you get a round reflection and not a square.

[Hervé]

mmmm ok... it worked once in LW... what 3d app are U using...?

I was'nt sure 'bout the watts... depend on f-stop and the likes...

hhuuh, I just checked... it was 100 meters from the scene... oups sorry about that mistake...

[VisualImpact]

Do you use max Duncan.
If so, I could send you a scene setup that I have been using.
John

[Duncan]

Hi John,
I think I have it under control but I still wouldn't mind checking out your scene. If you could send me a scene that would be cool.
using max6.0

[jomaga]

Hi, Duncan.
I use a sun configuration provided by andronikos some time ago, and it works fine:

use a lowpolygon spherical emitter around 200mm with value: 2000 W/(m^2sr) (this settings are 3DsMAX settings but you can use it I think) with nice orange color...place it at 20-30m at the window...Disable the sun and RENDER IT!!!!...

[Ric_535]

use a single poly. a disc or sphere wont make any difference but increase render times

[Duncan]

Jomaga,
Do you manage to get the reflection of the sun ?
I guess it depends where you place it.
I normally try and place the sun 45degrees to the building, so it casts
shadows across it.

Hi, Duncan.
I use a sun configuration provided by andronikos some time ago, and it works fine:

use a lowpolygon spherical emitter around 200mm with value: 2000 W/(m^2sr) (this settings are 3DsMAX settings but you can use it I think) with nice orange color...place it at 20-30m at the window...Disable the sun and RENDER IT!!!!...