lighting-setups

name	lighting-setups
description	Professional lighting setups for BlenderWeave — three-point, studio, product, architectural, and dramatic lighting recipes with manage_lights parameters.

Lighting Setups

Proven lighting configurations using manage_lights. All setups assume a scene centered at origin with camera 3-5m away.

Three-Point Lighting (Standard)

The foundation. Key light provides main illumination, fill softens shadows, rim separates subject from background.

Key Light (main, strong, slightly warm)

manage_lights(action="create", light_name="Key", light_type="AREA",
    location=[3, -2, 3], energy=500, color=[1.0, 0.95, 0.9],
    size=1.0)

Point at subject: manage_constraints(action="add", object_name="Key", type="TRACK_TO", target="Subject")

Fill Light (softer, cooler, opposite side)

manage_lights(action="create", light_name="Fill", light_type="AREA",
    location=[-2, -2, 2], energy=150, color=[0.9, 0.95, 1.0],
    size=2.0)

Rim/Back Light (behind subject, separation)

manage_lights(action="create", light_name="Rim", light_type="POINT",
    location=[0, 3, 3], energy=300, color=[1.0, 1.0, 1.0])

Check: LIT lines should show Key→Subject with high intensity (i>0.7), Fill→Subject with medium (i≈0.3-0.5). SHAD lines should show shadows from Key only.

Studio Product Photography

Clean, even lighting for product shots. Two large area lights, white background.

Setup

# Large soft key
manage_lights(action="create", light_name="SoftKey", light_type="AREA",
    location=[2, -1, 3], energy=400, color=[1.0, 1.0, 1.0],
    size=3.0, shape="RECTANGLE", size_y=2.0)

# Fill from opposite side
manage_lights(action="create", light_name="SoftFill", light_type="AREA",
    location=[-2, -1, 2], energy=250, color=[1.0, 1.0, 1.0],
    size=2.5)

# White backdrop
manage_world(action="set_color", color=[1.0, 1.0, 1.0], strength=0.5)

Goal: Minimal shadows, even coverage. SHAD coverage should be <20% on the product surface.

Architectural / Interior

Warm ambient with accent lighting. Uses HDRI or warm background + point lights for practicals.

Setup

# Environment
manage_world(action="set_hdri", filepath="path/to/interior.hdr", strength=0.8)

# Overhead practical
manage_lights(action="create", light_name="Ceiling", light_type="POINT",
    location=[0, 0, 2.8], energy=200, color=[1.0, 0.85, 0.65])

# Window light (strong, cool daylight)
manage_lights(action="create", light_name="Window", light_type="AREA",
    location=[-3, 0, 1.5], energy=800, color=[0.85, 0.92, 1.0],
    size=2.0, shape="RECTANGLE", size_y=3.0)

Check: LIT lines should show Window dominating one side with warm Ceiling fill. SHAD from Window should create directional shadows.

Dramatic / Cinematic

High contrast, single strong source, deep shadows.

Setup

# Single hard key
manage_lights(action="create", light_name="Spot", light_type="SPOT",
    location=[2, -3, 3], energy=1000, color=[1.0, 0.9, 0.8],
    spot_size=35, spot_blend=0.3)

# Very faint ambient
manage_world(action="set_color", color=[0.02, 0.02, 0.04], strength=0.1)

Goal: SHAD coverage >50% on surfaces. Strong directional shadows. LIT lines should show high intensity on lit surfaces, near-zero on shadow side.

Outdoor Daylight

Sun + sky HDRI.

Setup

# Sun light
manage_lights(action="create", light_name="Sun", light_type="SUN",
    location=[0, 0, 10], energy=5, color=[1.0, 0.98, 0.95])
# Rotate to desired angle
transform_object(object_name="Sun", rotation=[45, 0, 30])

# Sky HDRI
manage_world(action="set_hdri", filepath="path/to/sky.hdr", strength=1.0)

Or use Poly Haven sky: download_polyhaven_asset(asset_id="kloofendal_48d_partly_cloudy", asset_type="hdris")

Night / Low Light

Dark ambient, warm practicals, cool moonlight.

Setup

# Moon (distant, cool, faint)
manage_lights(action="create", light_name="Moon", light_type="SUN",
    location=[0, 0, 10], energy=0.5, color=[0.7, 0.8, 1.0])
transform_object(object_name="Moon", rotation=[60, 0, -20])

# Street lamp (warm pool of light)
manage_lights(action="create", light_name="StreetLamp", light_type="SPOT",
    location=[3, 0, 4], energy=200, color=[1.0, 0.8, 0.5],
    spot_size=60, spot_blend=0.5)

# Dark world
manage_world(action="set_color", color=[0.005, 0.005, 0.01], strength=0.05)

Diagnostic Checks

After setting up any lighting, verify with perception:

What to Check	Where to Look	Good Sign
Main subject lit	LIT Key→Subject	i > 0.6
Fill working	LIT Fill→Subject	i ≈ 0.2-0.4
Shadows reasonable	SHAD lines	Coverage 10-60%
No unlit objects	LIT lines for each obj	Every object has at least one LIT entry
No lighting issues	SPATIAL lines	No "no_light_sources" facts

Common Fixes

• "metallic_no_hdri" issue: Add HDRI with manage_world(action="set_hdri")
• Shadows too harsh: Increase area light size or add fill light
• Scene too dark: Increase energy values or add ambient via world strength
• Flat lighting: Reduce fill intensity, increase key-to-fill ratio (3:1 is standard)
• Color cast: Check light colors — mix warm and cool intentionally