Sneak Peek 1 - Lumi-Curve

Things may have appeared quiet at Lightmap recently, but we've been building the most complex and capable new light type we've ever tackled - one that enables the most advanced and flexible lighting effects yet. We're still refining the UI and adding the final touches, but we'd like to show you what we're working on and give you a preview of what's to come.

Over the years, we've received numerous customer requests for the ability to draw custom light shapes. We initially began work on this by allowing users to draw closed shapes and adjust falloff (feathering) at each point to soften edges and create various lighting effects.

However, during development, we identified another related light type that would be even more useful as a light source, and we have prioritised its development accordingly. We're calling it Lumi-Curve.

The limitation with shape-based lighting is that the shape itself remains flat in brightness, with falloff occurring only from the edge outwards. This approach works better as a mask than as a true light source.

How Lumi-Curves Work

With Lumi-Curve, a line sits at the centre of the lighting effect, allowing falloff to be controlled all around the line. The brightness from the line to the edge is controlled with value ramps, creating a highly versatile light source that can be configured in countless ways.

Simply draw the curve you want, and once complete, you have your Lumi-Curve. The lighting falls off (graduates away) from each side of the line. The curve can be interactively adjusted, and the offset distance for falloffs can be modified using handles on each side of the line. It's remarkably intuitive to use.

Switch to freestyle mode, and the falloff points and tangent handles can be manually adjusted, providing even greater control over the shape of the lighting effect.

Each end of the line features a roundness setting. With fully rounded settings, you create a round light that can be bent and shaped as needed. Fully rounded settings also mean the light emits from a point (a very short line) and falls away from that.

The falloff on each side of the line can be adjusted symmetrically or independently. You can also control how the falloffs blend around the line's endpoints.

An additional value ramp controls brightness along the curve's length. This allows you to fade the lighting effect over its length - perfect for creating effects like comets or moving lights with trailing illumination.

The Ultimate Light for Automotive

Imagine using this light source in your projects, especially for automotive work. It's the ultimate flexible light source that can bend to produce unlimited lighting effects and help solve the most tricky of lighting problems. The interface is intuitive and responsive, with real-time results visible on your models as you make adjustments.

Lumi-Curve will be available in the first drop of HDR Light Studio 9.

Watch out for more sneak peeks about this feature on the blog soon.

Beta Testing

If you want early access to Lumi-Curve in HDR Light Studio and want to become a beta tester, please apply by registering your interest with paul.denhard@lightmap.co.uk