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Choosing a Lighting Effects type



You can choose from several light types.

  • Omni shines light in all directions from directly above the image--like a light bulb over a piece of paper.
  • Directional shines light from one angle--like the parallel light rays of the sun.
  • Spotlight casts an elliptical beam of light. The line in the preview window defines the light direction and angle, and the handles define the edges of the ellipse.

  • To adjust an Omni light:

    1 Choose Filter > Render > Lighting Effects, or use the Filters palette to apply the Lighting Effects filter.

    2 For Light Type, choose Omni.

    3 Adjust the light:

  • To move the light, drag the center circle.
  • To increase or decrease the size of the light (like a light moving closer or farther away), drag one of the handles defining the edges of the light.

  • 4 Click OK to apply the filter.

    To adjust the angle and height of the Directional light using the preview window:

    1 Choose Filter > Render > Lighting Effects, or use the Filters palette to apply the Lighting Effects filter.

    2 For Light Type, choose Directional.

    3 Adjust the light:

  • To move the light, drag the center circle.
  • To change the direction of the light, drag the handle at the end of the line to rotate the light's angle. Ctrl-drag (Windows) or Command-drag (Mac OS) to keep the light's height (line length) constant.
  • To change the light's height, drag the handle at the end of the line. Shorten the line for a bright light, lengthen it for a less intense one. A very short line produces pure white light, a very long one no light. Shift-drag to keep the angle constant and change the light's height (line length).

  • 4 Click OK to apply the filter.

    To adjust the angle and height of the Spotlight using the preview window:

    1 Choose Filter > Render > Lighting Effects, or use the Filters palette to apply the Lighting Effects filter.

    2 For Light Type, choose Spotlight.

    3 Adjust the light:

  • To move the light, drag the center circle.
  • To increase the light angle, drag the handle at the end of the line to shorten the line. To decrease the light angle, drag to lengthen the line.
  • To stretch the ellipse or rotate the light, drag one of the handles. Shift-drag to keep the angle constant and change only the size of the ellipse. Ctrl-drag (Windows) or Command-drag (Mac OS) to keep the size constant and change the angle or direction of the spotlight.
  • To set the light focus (or spotlight intensity) and control how much of an ellipse is filled with light, drag the Intensity slider: full intensity (a value of 100) is brightest; normal intensity is about 50; negative intensity takes away light; and 0 intensity produces no light. Use the Focus slider to control how much of the ellipse is filled with light.

  • 4 Click OK to apply the filter.


    Applying Filters and Effects > Lighting Effects filter > Choosing a Lighting Effects type