The LightTool utility adds simulated lighting to three-dimensional applications. It slows down drawing speed considerably, but produces interesting images. It is currently supported for the Globe and Plane. In order to use the LightTool, one need only invoke the "LightsOn" button in each application for which three-dimensional lighting is desired. This will apply a simple lighting scheme to that application. If further control over lighting is desired, the LightTool application can be brought up from the main menu and linked into the application desired or automatically brought up and linked by pressing the "LightTool" button on the application.
To cancel lighting, toggle the LightsOn button.
Reset: Places the slides in their original positions.
More: Allows user access to more complicated lighting parameters, in particular, the photometric properties of the objects being illuminated. The four sliders are called "Ambient," "Diffuse," "Specular" and "Shininess."
Sliders
Ambient: Controls the amount of "ambient lighting," which is light that is not directed from the light source. All parts of the objects illuminated with ambient light are illuminated equally, so the ambient slider is similar to a brightness knob on a television. Generally, the ambient light ought only be increased for the purpose of preventing unilluminated portions of the object appearing too dark.
Diffuse: Controls the amount of "diffuse lighting"; light that arrives from the light source, but is reflected from the objects in all directions. Diffuse lighting simulates the appearance of objects that are partially illuminated such as planets; it will leave the back side of a Globe dark, for example. The bulk of the light in a scene ought to be diffuse.
Specular: Controls the amount of "specular lighting"; light that arrives from the light source and is mirror-reflected from it. That is, it controls the emphasis of the shiny highlights (gleams) of an apparently polished surface.
Shininess: Modifies specular lighting. If the shininess is small
(leftward on the slider), then highlights are wide and more prevalent.
If the shininess is large, then highlights are small, rarer and more intense.
Applications to Connect This Application to
The LightTool will control any application which renders in a three dimensional space. This currently includes Plane and Globe.