Distant Lights Blocked By Environment?

wile_e_coyote930_c886060b2c

I'm trying to finish up my first-ever DAZ scene, and I've just run into a problem. When I render my character by herself, in a void, everything looks fine--she's being lit by every source I've set. When I make my environment (Biohazard: http://www.daz3d.com/biohazard-1 ) visible, all the distant lights stop working, and the only lighting left in the scene is coming from the point lights and linear point lights located within the hallway. Obviously I'm very new at this, but my understanding of the way distant lights work is that they're supposed to hit every surface in whatever direction they're pointed at, including going through walls, floors, or ceilings. Or am I wrong?

Here's a couple of quick spot-renders showing the problem:

mjc1016

If the 'cast shadows' parameter is ON (Parameters tab) for the wall/ceiling/etc, then NO, the light will not pass through it.

wile_e_coyote930_c886060b2c

I knew it had to be something simple like that! *facepalm*

Thanks for the help. :)

Steven-V

You can also take out the facing wall by turning it off in the scene. Depending on where your light is coming from, that might work too.

Tramp Graphics

Distant Lights really aren't that great for interior scenes, unless there is a window and you want some sunlight shining through. You're better off using spot lights (for "Studio ligthing") or Uber Area lights (Coming from ceiling lights and other lamps,) to light the room's interior. I'd also suggest toning down the shadow intensity unless you're trying for really dark shadows.

AndyS

Indeed,

interior lighting is really complicated and very rendertime intense, if you try to have a natural lighting.
But in most of the renders I see light in the rooms which is not based on any physical ressource in the scene. :down:

If you want to have it only lighted anyhow, you can follow Tramp Graphics' advice.

Andrew