The Spotlight distribution node can be used with an Octane Area Light or as part of an emission material on a polygon to create a realistic spotlight behavior, without the need of an IES texture (figure 1).


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Spotlight


Spotlight Fig01 3dsmax v2023



Figure 1: The Spotlight Texture attached to a Blackbody Emission node to provide spotlight attributes for the light object


Spotlight Parameters

Orientation- Determines how the cone will be oriented; the choice will use the coordinates in the Direction or Target edit fields.

  • Surface Normal
  • Direction - world space
  • Direction - object space
  • Target point - world space
  • Target point - object space

Direction or Target - The direction of the light or the target object.

Cone Angle - The angle of the actual cone. Smaller values produce a tighter cone.

Hardness - Sets the hardness of the penumbra (cone) boundaries. Lower values produce a softer look.