[jfrancis]

Would it be possible, as an option, to have emiters that emit light in rays heavily biased toward being parallel to the normal of the emiter? I believe this would mimic a 1940's era Hollywood style hot light with a fresnel lens.

[tokiop]

I think it was asked in the past to simulate laser light too, it seems it could be useful to have a softbox/parallel-to-normal slider in the emitter properties..

[jfrancis]

Parallel light rays from a plano-convex lens, the Fresnel lens's heavier, thicker cousin. (but what does that matter in CG?)

Parallel light rays from a parabolic reflector

... and that slider would rock. Maybe for a surprise it will be in Maxwell 2.0

[jfrancis]

And the Fresnel lens, itself...



http://www.digitalartform.com/archives/ ... ens_-.html

[Bubbaloo]

Nice tests, jfrancis!