Is there a way to generate even lighting from a volume?

anonymous_user_ffb7c36b · January 25, 2015, 3:08am

I recall in UDK, various volumes could generate lighting at a constant level. I used to use it for a minimum intensity, but now I want to use it because I have a complex surface that is supposed to glow as if it was radioactive. Lighting it with normal lights would require probably 20-40 lights because of the size and complexity.

Jacky · January 25, 2015, 3:16am

If you are talking about emissive static lighting in UDK it has been added with 4.6. All you need to do is to enable Use Emissive for Static Lighting in the actor’s properties before you build the lights.

anonymous_user_ffb7c36b · January 25, 2015, 4:01am

I’ve tried both. I don’t know if my emissive isn’t bright enough or what, but it didn’t work and unlike UDK, you can’t boost this.
Post processing only works if you’re in the volume. I can’t have it do that because it needs to be limited to an area, but visible outside of that.

Luos · January 25, 2015, 3:21am

Wouldnt it also be possible to add a post processing volume that adds emissive effects to its environment?

Jacky · January 25, 2015, 3:02pm

Can you post a screenshot of that specific area and your material setup for the emissive mesh?

Jacky · January 25, 2015, 5:41pm

Weird. I’ve just tested a cube with a basic emissive material on it in a closed room and it works perfectly. Could you try replacing the material with an opaque material with a green 3Vector attached to the emissive please and see how that works?

If that doesnt work out either a workaround for you; You can use long tube light sources along the walls and a point light in the middle to imitate the overall glowing effect.

anonymous_user_ffb7c36b · January 25, 2015, 5:06pm

This is one of the areas. I would like a nice glow around it. It will be used in several areas though.

anonymous_user_ffb7c36b · January 25, 2015, 5:08pm

First half of the shader. This side rotates the textures and generates ripples and waves.

anonymous_user_ffb7c36b · January 25, 2015, 5:09pm

This is the other half of the shader.

Jacky · January 25, 2015, 6:04pm

Cool, if it works then go for it.

anonymous_user_ffb7c36b · January 25, 2015, 6:01pm

I tried a material with a 0,2,0 emissive and the glow is right. However I don’t like the way it looks.
I just discovered that you can get better results by creating a material instance even if you don’t have any parameters. There is an emissive boost in there. Using my same material with an emissive boost of 10 it starts to show up. I think a value of 15 or 20 might do it.

anonymous_user_ffb7c36b · January 25, 2015, 6:15pm

I appear to need multiple instances. Some brighter than others. Indoor/outdoor type things.

anonymous_user_ffb7c36b · January 28, 2015, 1:24am

While it doesn’t appear to be possible from a volume you can use emissive for lighting. If it isn’t bright enough, create a material instance. The instance will let you set an emissive boost.