Creating Lights

RenderMan lights can be created from the RenderMan shelf.  Right-click the buttons to reveal a list of types.  Environmental lights are grouped under a separate button that looks like a Sun icon.

RenderMan lights show aim or other manipulators when you hit the 't' key in Maya.

Analytic Light Types

For detailed information about parameters, follow the links for each light type.

• PxrRectLight – This is the commonly used rectangle-shaped area light
• PxrCylinderLight – This is the commonly used cylinder area light used to mimic fluorescent lights and light sabers
• PxrDiskLight – The disk is great for using as an area light or in combination with filters to make a spotlight
• PxrDistantLight – The distant light is perfect for use as a sun or other distant source where light rays are nearly parallel and cover the whole scene
• PxrSphereLight – For users that miss using a point light, this light can be useful to illuminate in all directions
• PxrAovLight – This is a utility light for outputting an AOV mask, it has no manipulator since it does not illuminate. Its position isn't important in the scene
• PxrDomeLight – The dome light acts as the environment light for a scene, and is mapped with a high dymanic range image (HDRI), very common workflow
• PxrPortalLight – For difficult lighting situations, like indirectly lit interiors, this light along with the PxrDomeLight can be used to increase the quality and speed of your renders. Portal lights need to be associated with a dome light.  First select a PxrDomeLight and then create a PxrPortalLight from the RenderMan shelf or create from the Domelight under Portals
• PxrEnvDayLight – This is a daylight simulation shader where you can supply any time and location on Earth or simply place your sunlight where you like it, use the 't' manipulator to adjust the sun location manually