Object Illumination
 

A thread in the basics forum got me interested in this. I was wondering if there was a way to find out much light is actually hitting a certain object. Like a numerical value, that could used for things like pupil dialation expressions and whatnot.

Wow, never would have thought of that. I dont think that is implemented in maya yet, but It should be. I may be wrong, as I have barely scratched the surface of maya. But if you ever find out anything about it, I would like to know.

For pupil dialations, you could also use Set Driven Keys for that:)

Simply make the lights' manipulator the driver, and key its' translation so that as it approaches the eye, the ramp, (or whatever pupil set-up you have), will get smaller.

Thus, your pupil dialtes to a pre-set max the farther away the light manipulator gets.

Another way would be to use the lights' intensity curve as the driver.

Otherwise, if it is just a one-off shot, you could just key the dialation also:)

Ill keep that in mind. It is definitely a great animation technique

OK, this might be hair splitting, but pupils don't dilate right away. There is a small time delay, so you probably will have to write an expression or something to have it absolutely perfect.

I would be glad to be able to build a character where these things would matter anyway .... :bow: