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Is it possible to use a 3D modeling program's lighting to light scenes and models, or does DBP need its own internal system? If both are acceptable, which is better and why?

Thanks,

D

When a 3D modeller lights a scene, it essentially bakes the light onto the faces of your objects texture, I'm guessing by the fact you're using lights, you're trying to light up a level.
This is the fastest method, but doesn't allow your world to have shadows on the wall if something blocks the obvious light source.

So, if your character is walking under a light, there will be no shadow on the floor.


When you use DB's own internal lights system. objects in their range become lit-up, and objects not in the range are dark. it does allow basic shadows, in the fact that if an object blocks the wall the light is pointing at. The section that's obscured is not illuminated.

The huge drawback of DB's light system is that only 8 lights can be 'switched on' at any one time. It can be frustrating figuring out which ones to have on and which ones off. The limitation means that the internal light system is great for things like torches or muzzle flashes. but natural ambient lights in levels really should be mapped on to the texture.

Thanks Sim, that makes perfect sense. How about Darklights? What are the advantages of that, or drawbacks?

Just to clarify, this limitation is not a DB limitation, rather a hardware limitation.

indeed it is a hardware limitation, I'm meaning that kind of light as opposed to lightmaps



Only having used the demo version. all I know is, it creates a lightmap texture much like any modeller, but it's full screen, and you'll see your results im (sort-of) real-time.
When you tell it to generate the lightmap, that will be exactly how it appears in DBP unless you've fiddled with the ambient light level.

The demo version has an infinite number of uses, but removes some faces from the texture, so they are transparent. If what is visible is to your liking, it might be a worthwhile purchase. But experiment with as many free trials as you can, so you don't end up paying for more than one