Set Light to View

[markdd]

I'm just playing around with the Light object and trying to find a practical use for the Set Light to View button in the Object Information Palette. As far as I have always understood it, the function points the beam of the Light object in the same direction as the viewer's "camera".  To get the best out of the function you need to manipulate your view so that the source is placed between you and a target object. This approach of mine seems rather haphazard and gives variable results. Its also rather time-consuming.

 

Does anyone have a better, more practical use for the function or is it one of those functions that no one uses and has actually been losing it's usefulness as better ways of doing the same thing have become available.

 

Any ideas would be really appreciated.

 

Many thanks

[zoomer]

I think this feature was often used in 3D/Render Apps in the past.

It allows you to find a light position while you can see which

objects will be lit and which may be occluded.

 

I used it a few times in special cases in C4D.

Like when placing a linear light in C4D which will always appear at

file origin, not always where your model is. You can quickly find

your model again by view navigation + zooming to set light size.

 

But I am not sure if VW's Set Light to View is that advanced and

dynamically connected as in 3D Apps, where you set a View to

what the light sees.

 

Normally I am so 3D minded when watching 2D orthogonal views,

that I always preferred setting cameras or lights in top and side

views by moving object and target in 2D.

Most people may like to set Cameras or Lights in a single 3D View.

For me it is easier in 2D Views, to estimate and recognize which

unwanted objects may occlude my 3D Perspective, which is already

in my head before I place Cameras or Lights.

Especially in crowded files.