Sunbeams

[ghunter64]

I would like to produce "sunbeams" similar to those shown in the attached photo.

At first I though I could do it by adding some image props, setting the sun direction, and turning on Lit Fog in the HDRI background I am using. But I discovered that Renderworks does not light fog for "Directional" light sources, and since the VW sun is a directional light source I figured that's why it doesn't work.

Second, I got rid of the sun, added a Spot light source put it roughly in the same position that the sun appeared to be coming from in the HDRI environment. The problem is that it lights the fog all around the light, the sky basically whites out, and there isn't enough directional light to cause the image props to cast shadows.

Third, converted the Spot source to a Lighting Instrument, added a breakup gobo, cranked up the output of and set the lighting properties for the scene. Nothing at all!

Has anyone had any experience in producing scenes like that attached in an outdoor RW environment (specifically the beams)?

Thanks

Edited October 14, 2011 by ghunter64

[VincentCuclair]

Never tried but would it work with a solid that has an almost transparent texture but slightly milky? i.e.. solid fog?

[VincentCuclair]

The reason the fog is lit in this picture is because the surrounding space is fairly dark, if you're out in the open you won't get that effect, it will just be foggy, so I guess you need to see if the scene you're trying to create is realistic with this in mind.

Edited October 15, 2011 by Vincent C