Softimage XSI Digital Sets / Environments:

Lighting in XSI : three point lighting

This set of notes will cover the basics of a three point lighting setup in Softimage/XSI.
Setting up a Key Light, Fill Light and Back Light and controlling the light properties.

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Key Light: Located typically 10 to 20 degrees off the lens axis. The dominate source of illumination, the strongest lamp in the 3 point lighting scheme. The Key Light establishes the light direction, casting the darkest shadows and creating the principal modeling on the subject. Use only one key light.

Fill Light: Illuminates the shadow areas not lit by the key light. Supplements the key light, is never brighter than the key light. Be aware of your key to fill ratios. The fill light is not always necessary but, the higher the key to fill ratio the more dramatic the lighting scheme.

Back Light: The backlight is best applied very selectively. It's purpose is to illuminate the edge-contours of the subject. This helps to reveal the shape of the object keeping it from merging with the background.

 

Breakdown of this 3 Point Lighting Scheme.

 

Key Light

Key Light Parameters:

Light Type: Spot (area)
Cone Angle: 45
Exponent:2

Intensity:1
Spread Ang: 14
Shadows Enabled
Umbra: 0.661

Light Attenuation
Light Falloff: on
Start Falloff: 31
End Falloff: 56

 

Light Color
R: 1.0
G: .9
B .95

Area:
Area Light on
Fill Light

Fill Light Parameters:

Light Type: Spot
Cone Angle: 55
Exponent: 2

Intensity: .5
Spread Ang: 22
Shadows Enabled
Umbra: 0.75

Light Attenuation
Light Falloff: on
Start Falloff: 32
End Falloff: 75

Light Color
R: 1.0
G: .9
B .95

Area:
Area Light off
Back Light

Back Light Parameters:

Light Type: point

Intensity: .4
Spread Ang: 5
Shadows Not Enabled
Umbra: N/A

Light Attenuation
Light Falloff: N/A
Start Falloff:N/A
End Falloff: N/A

Light Color
R: .96
G: .96
B .89

Area:
Area Light off
All 3 lights    

 

 

 

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