How To: Apply light sources to 3D projects in Photoshop

Pixel Perfect is the "perfect" show to help you with your Photoshop skills. Be amazed and learn as master digital artist Bert Monroy takes a stylus and a digital pad and treats it as Monet and Picasso do with oil and canvas. Learn the tips and tricks you need to whip those digital pictures into shape with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. In this episode, Ben shows you how to apply light sources to 3D projects in Photoshop.

Create a 3d object:
This week, Bert teaches us that 3D is not just about angles, shapes, and depth. Lighting is equally as important. We begin with a 900x600, RGB file set to 72dpi. Fill screen with a solid blue in a new layer.

A note about resolution in your Photoshop files:
If working in print, your resolution should be double your halftone screen. i.e. If the magazine prints at 150 line screen, you need 300 dpi.

About 3D lighting:
There are 3 different sources of light, which can be controlled in the 3D (Lights) panel: Point lights, spot lights, and infinite lights. In this window you can also adjust the lighting source position, color, intensity and angle.

Point lights:
Point lights are simulate the light from a regular lightbulb.

Spot lights:
Spot lights shoot the light out at an angle like a cone - narrow at first, then widening as the light travels.

Infinite lights:
Infinite light is like an ambient light, much like sunlight. Changing the angle of the Infinite light will lighten or darken your image with more coverage. You can also use Infinite light much like a photographer's reflection screen to hide shadows.

Adjusting light properties:
- Hotspot and Fallout values will change the softness of the light's edges.
- Attenuation determines the distance of how far the light travels, and you can set inner and outer values to manipulate the light to be realistic with distance.

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