Basic IES Light Tutorial using V-Ray for SketchUp

By Nomer AdonaI am writing another IES lighting tutorial again showing the basic steps in usingV-Ray for SketchUp 1.48.90and future releases. Previously I had used 1.48.66 in my first IES tutorial,IES Light Tutorial using V-Ray for SketchUpbut there seemed to be a few little bugs with that particular updated version.ASGVIS(now owned by Chaos Group) made a tremendous leap, and I can really conclude thattheir newest build is much more stable and easier to use.I planned to use the same file that I used with the first tutorial, but I have decided to just model a quick one for this new tutorial.I am using here also a photometric data name 6B3_(100A19).ies that I have downloadedfor free fromLithonia, orSketchUpArtists Download Sectionand found under Tutorial Files.

In this tutorial, a special thanks to my friend Trang An. I am using some of his excellent components here for the purpose of seeing the overall effects of the IES lighting, insteadof just using a simple room.In this tutorial, my materials have no reflections, bump etc (except for the receptacles) forquick rendering but later I will supply you hopefully with another tutorial on how to playwith materials. Anyhow lets get started this tutorial.1.SketchUp set up. Basic model and components.

Step 12.I have created a simple recessed light and made it into component. Then, I copiedthis component into 4 more instances. This is a good tip, so that when you place the V-Raylighting; automatically you will have an instance of this lighting. This is the same whenediting your V-Ray light, you will only edit one light inside this component, and the otherlightings will be edited automatically.In the following image, I created V-Ray IES lighting, scaled it a bit and placed itbelow the receptacle.

Step 23.Then I clicked the IES light icon. Another menu box appeared (see below). Thenunder sampling(File) I clicked the box and browsed the IES photometric data (6B3_(100A19).ies.By default the power is set to 0. Even with this, V-Ray SketchUp will read the photometric data.

Step 3In my opinion, using V-Ray sun and V-Ray physical camera is not necessary when rendering an enclosed space. This is advisable especially for beginners. The reason is, you donthave to spend a huge amount of time in balancing the sun and the physical camera. V-Rayphysical camera works together with the V-Ray sun, which is really a very strong light.The V-Ray physical camera acts like a counter balance in correcting the exposure of theimage, much like an actual photo camera where ISO, aperture size andshutter speed enable to control the exposure.Again in this tutorial, the V-Ray physical camera and the V-Ray sun were both turned off.Here is the render.

Step 4 - RenderThe above render is already showing the effect of the photometric lighting. On the other hand, Iwould want to see two things the light source showing some lights and secondly I wouldlike to increase the power of the IES lighting.5.To achieve the first one, I am putting another rectangular light inside the receptacle tosimulate the light source. The intensity of this rectangular light is small. I enabled thelight, turned off the shadow, made it invisible and double sided. Below is the screen grabof my rectangular light settings.

Step 5Here is the render. Now the light source is showing on the receptacles.

Step 5 - Render 1To solve the second problem, I simply increased the multiplier of the IES light. Here Iused power = 7000. Below is the render.

Step 5 - Render 26.If you want to change the color of the IES light, you can do it by putting color to the filtercolor. Below I used warm yellow.

Step 6 Final Render