Lighting

Entities

Main light sources

• light — a simple omni-directional light
• light_environment — light from toolsskybox materials
• light_spot — a stationary spotlight

Other light entities

• light_dynamic — a combination point light and spotlight that can be moved, turned, and adjusted
• env_particlelight — only lights particles (such as those produced by env_smokestack)
• point_spotlight — a moveable spotlight glow, with optional dynamic light
• env_sun — visual effect of the sun in the sky; does not actually provide light
• npc_spotlight — a spotlight that's also an NPC
• prop_static — This entity can be used together with the models/Effects/vol_light.mdl to simulate volumetric light.

Notes

• Naming a light makes it more expensive. Only name lights when you need to. Multiple lights sharing the same name are cheaper than lights with separate names.
• light_dynamic is especially expensive, and will not even show up on some systems
• The basic light entities do not come with a visible representation (eg, a lightbulb). For that you need a prop. See HL2 light props for a list.
• The basic light entities do not come with a "glow" as you'd expect to see in a foggy or misty area. To provide this, either compile and run the map with HDR enabled, or add a point_spotlight (with dynamic lighting off unless needed) or env_lightglow entity.
• Maps will not be lit unless you run vrad (or equivalent). Vrad will not run properly unless the level is free of leaks.
• Several textures provide their own light & can do so using lights.rad in a mod's directory or the one in sourcesdk/bin.
• Experiment by burning light onto motion enabled entities/objects. i.e. func_rotating with shadows disabled may look odd, func_tracktrain spawned with normal light, etc.

Console commands

• mat_fullbright boolean — Toggles map lighting

See also

• Adding Light
• Advanced Lighting
• HL2 light props
• Color theory (level design)

External links

• Volumetric Light Effect
• Lighting