ok i need help lighting an interior

[Cesar R]

I see there beatiful images made with mental ray and finalrender and I wonder how many lights are used and where are they placed? specially for openings.

 

my renderer of choice is finalrender, so if someone could please help me out and maybe provide me with some examples? do I always need an area light as big as my opening and a spot light outside ? I am very confused,

see the attached image; This is what i will like to be able to recreate...

 

Thanks

 

http://www.cgarchitect.com/gallery/image_spotlight.asp?galleryID=22985

http://www.cgarchitect.com/gallery/image_spotlight.asp?galleryID=20168

 

I would post a text max file but I dont know where to host it, if you want to take a look at it, e-mail me