Viewport Shading question

[Arnold Grove]

I did try a search here to try and find the answer but....

 

 

this is a simple question but it driving me freakin nuts.

 

 

my viewport is shading my geometry almost black. I have spots in my scene but ony minimal illumination of my objects in the viewport.

 

I know theres a setting to brighten up the viewport BUT FOR THE LIFE OF ME I cant find it. Its driving me insane. Im ready to trhow the computer out the window.

 

silly huh?

 

and a subject for another thread but Max's help and reference docs are hard to search through. I dont like how its set up. I tried to find the answer in the help menu but searching every keyword I couod think of didnt find the answer

 

thanks

[SandmanNinja]

Control L toggles viewport lighting

that might be the problem

[Arnold Grove]

oh good grief

 

I need a stiff drink thank you

 

but there is a settign somewhere where you can set the brighness

 

i found it last year and have just been saving versions of this ongoing project. I was clicking aroudn too fast and i guess i myay have hit the key you mention.

 

its not in the viewport config or pref menus

 

thanks again

[SandmanNinja]

You're welcome - it's the little things that sneak up on you.

 

Not sure about controlling the brightness of the viewport, but here are my notes on enabling viewport shadows - which I found pretty cool when I first did it.

I think it helps if you're trying to figure out how the sun is lighting the scene and where the shadows are falling:

 

As of Max 2008, you can enable viewport shadows and enable the background in the viewport.

 

01) right-click in the middle of the Perspective Viewport and pick Viewport Lighting and Shadows

02) pick Viewport Shading - Best

03) go back into it and pick Enable Viewport Shadows Selected

04) Then set the MRPhysical Sky for the Environment Background (press 8, then select MRPhysical Sky)

05) Then click Views -> Viewport Background -> Viewport Background (or press ALt B)

06) tick [x] Use Environment Background

07) tick [x] Display Background

08) select Perspective in the Viewport and Active Only (this isn't as important, just makes it easier on the hardware)

 

When you tilt the scene in the Perspective window now, you'll get calculated, accurate shadows AND will be able to see the blue Physical Sky

[Horhe]

Under the enviroment tab change the tint colour from black to anywhere close to pure white depending on your viewport brightness liking.

[antholia]

hi i have a problem with the viewport lighting and shadows. When i right-clik on it i cant check best for my sun in 3ds max !! Off is my only option can someone explain it????

[Tommy L]

Maybe a limitation of your graphics card/driver?

[antholia]

That would in fact explain many things i have a graphic card IntelR 945 which i think is not the best! i started first with artlantis studio and the quality of the results despite my settings was low . And now i learn that it limitates 3ds max's functions!!!! Anyway thanks a lot for your reply Tommy L