Volume Light Effects – LightUp for SketchUp

This tutorial by Adam Billyard will show you how to use the LightUp Material properties to create cool Volume light effects. You can download the LightUp free demo here if you want to try this tutorial out for yourself.

The model is kept very simple so we can focus on the techniques. The first thing we are going to create is a Component to represent the light volume. We want to create a Cone shape – how you do this is a matter of personal preference, but you want to end up with something like this:

Create Component in SketchUp

We are going to Paint the inside of the Cone with a Material with some high contrast detail to represent ‘dust mites’. I’m going to use a standard SketchUp Material called “Stone_Granite_Midnite” for this:

Paint Inside of Cone with Granite Material

SketchUp allows you to apply different materials to each side of a Face. We’ll apply a totally transparent Material to the outside of the Cone allowing us to see inside our Light Volume.

Apply Transparent Material to Outside

Next we place the Component Axes at the apex of the cone so later we can rotate around the light source.

Component Axes at Apex of Cone

Using the LightUp Query tool, we need to prepare the materials for LightUp rendering. We don’t want these Faces to cast any shadows from either material, so for both materials we check “Don’t cast shadows” (I’ve just shown the dialog for the outer material here).

Material Properties

For the inner material – that will be rendering the light volume – we want some special settings. As well as not casting shadows, we want the material to be “self-illuminating and brighten whats on screen behind it. So we check “Always fully lit” and “Additive glow”.

Special Settings for Inner Material

Now we can embed a PointLightSource at the apex of our light volume Component in preparation for adding it to our environment. Open up the Component by double-clicking; I’m going to add the PointLightSource at the Origin of component Axes and set a IES light source. Make sure you place the light source on the inside of the cone.

Add Point Light Source

We can use the LightUp Query tool to aim this component just as we can with IES PointLightSource. Choose Query Tool, Shift-Click on the volume light Component and Ctrl-drag on the point you wish to aim the light.

Aim the Light

And the light is now rotated automatically to aim this point.

Light Rotates Automatically

OK, now we’re ready to try out and tweak our volume light effect. I’ve placed a couple in a model (with some sconce lighting on the back wall) to show the effect.

Two Spotlights Placed in Model

Starting Tourtool, you can see the faces that make the light volume don’t cast any shadows and brighten up anything behind them. But the effect is far too strong – Additive effects like these need to be used quite subtly.

Faces Don't Cast Any Shadows

However, we can make all the changes we need inside Tourtool by navigating to the inside material and double clicking to open the Material dialog. Click on the Color adjustment, and bring down the Luminance slider as shown.

Bring Down Luminance Slider

Lastly, we are going to add some animation to the material so the flecks of brightness in our material seem to float around like dust in a powerful light. We’ll use Texture Animation, and choose “Ramp”. I’ve also set the Angle of motion to 80 degrees which on this model is upward. You’ll have to experiment with your model to find what direction your texture is laid out.

Texture Animation for Dust Effect

If you bring the camera in close, you can see the dust mites much more easily. Alternatively, change the scale of the Material you’re using. You really need to see this animation in motion to appreciate the effect, so have a go!

Thanks for reading…..

Adam

Final Light Image with Dust Effect

More tutorials by Adam:

• Interior Lighting with LightUp for SketchUp
• Blending with Backdrops: LightUp for SketchUp

Find out more about Adam Billyard and LightUp for SketchUp over at the main LightUp website and see examples of some great renders too.