formZ | Blocked Emitters

Owned by Systems Next Limit (Unlicensed)
22 Sept, 2016
2 min read

Blocked Emitters Object Modifier

With the Blocked Emitter modifier, any number of objects can be hidden from a collection of emitter lights, emitter materials, or specific light-emitter objects.

The general workflow for setting up Blocked Emitters through the plugin is outlined below. Refer to the sections that follow for details on each step.

Workflow
  1. Define Blocked Emitters Sources. Located in Object Modifier Library.
  2. Apply. Any number of Blocked Emitters Definitions may be applied to a base object, via the object's Maxwell Attributes.

Define Blocked Emitters Definition

The formZ plugin introduces the concept of Blocked Emitters Definitions, which are defined and stored in the Object Modifier Library. Blocked Emitters Definitions are stored with your project.

To invoke the Blocked Emitters Library, select Extensions> Maxwell Render> Object Modifier..., or click on  in the Maxwell Object Attributes pane. Click on the Blocked Emitters tab.

  • New Definition: Create new Blocked Emitters Definition in the project.
  • Delete Definition: Deletes selected definition in the list.
  • File Menu:
    • Open: Open a Blocked Emitters Definition file from disk. Definition is added to the Library.
    • Open and Replace: Open a Blocked Emitters Definition file from disk. Currently selected Definition is replaced with the one opened.
    • Save: Save a Blocked Emitters Definition file to disk.

Clicking on any Blocked Emitters Definition in the list will load its parameters and present them on the right:

  • Blocked Emitters Definition: Name of the Definition. Definitions, like materials, can be renamed at any time without severing the link to the objects to which they are applied.
  • Lights: List of lights that will not affect the object. Must be emitter-type lights; Physical Sky, Sky Dome, and IBL are not supported.
  • Materials: List of emitting materials that will not affect the object.
  • Objects: Specific emitting objects that will not affect the object.

Descriptions of the remaining parameters may be found here:Maxwell Blocked Emitters.

 

Apply Blocked Emitters Definition to Objects

To apply a Blocked Emitters Definition to an object, select the object, Click on the Pick Tool Attributes tab, and select Maxwell Attributes... from the pulldown menu. In the resulting Maxwell Attributes dialog, Definitions may be added or removed from the object. More than one definition may be applied to the same object.