Self-Illumination Map

Self-illumination mapping

Allows you to select a bitmap file or procedural map to use as a self-illumination map. You use a self-illumination map to make portions of an object appear to glow. Lighter (higher-value) areas of the map render as self illuminating; darker areas have no effect on the surface: other material properties determine how it renders.

Self illumination means that the glowing area is not affected by lights in the scene (its ambient color component goes away), and does not cast or receive shadows.

This map applies a self-illumination effect based on the intensity of the bitmap pixels. The closer the bitmap pixels are to white, the greater the self-illumination.

How To

To assign a self-illumination map, do one of the following:

• In the Basic Parameters rollout, click the map button to the right of the Self-Illumination parameter.
• Click the Self-illumination map button in the Maps rollout.

Now choose the bitmap as you would choose a texture map.

• In the Basic Parameters rollout, increase the Self-Illumination value.