Learn the essential steps to add and configure various light sources in Unreal Engine. Mastering lighting is key to creating visually stunning and realistic environments for your games and projects.
Locate the Place Actors panel, which is typically docked on the left side of the editor. If it's not visible, you can open it by going to the main menu and selecting Window > Place Actors.
Within the Place Actors panel, click on the Lights tab. This will display all the available light types you can add to your level.
Select the type of light you want to add. Common types include Point Light (emits light in all directions), Spot Light (a cone of light), and Directional Light (simulates a distant source like the sun).
Click and drag your chosen light from the Lights tab directly into your scene viewport. Release the mouse button to place it in the world.
With the new light selected, use the Details panel (usually on the right) to adjust its properties. You can change its Intensity, Light Color, and Attenuation Radius to control its brightness, hue, and range.
Tips for Better Lighting
Pay attention to a light's Mobility setting. Use Static for lights that won't change, as they are baked into lightmaps for the best performance. Use Movable for dynamic lights that can change or move in real-time.
For a faster workflow, hold the L key and left-click anywhere in your viewport to instantly place a Point Light at that location.
To simulate realistic light shapes from real-world light fixtures, apply an IES Profile in the light's Details panel. This uses photometric data to create authentic light falloff patterns.
Add an Exponential Height Fog actor to your scene and enable Volumetric Fog in its settings. This will allow your lights to create visible rays (god rays), adding depth and mood to your environment.
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