Displaying Light Sources in a View

When adding lighting fixtures to a building model, you can display the light sources. By making light sources visible, you can more easily plan their placement for maximum effect.

Spotlights in an elevation view with light sources displayed and Shaded and Show Edges turned on

Note: For spotlights, the length of a light source symbol in a view does not indicate the extent of the intensity of the light. However, the spot beam angle and spot field angle render as shown in views. See Angles for Spotlights.

To display light sources in a view

1. Add lighting fixtures to the building model.

   See Adding a Lighting Fixture to a Building Model.

2. Open a view in which you can plan the placement of the lighting fixtures.

   For example, to position spotlights that illuminate a wall, open a section view, elevation view, or 3D view.

3. Turn on the visibility of light sources, as follows:
   1. Click View tabGraphics panel (Visibility/Graphics).
   2. On the Model Categories tab of the Visibility/Graphics dialog, expand Lighting Fixtures.
   3. Select Light Source.
      Note: To hide light sources in views, clear Light Source.
   4. Click OK.
4. (Optional) On the View Control Bar, for Visual Style, click Shaded, and select Show Edges, if desired.

   Shading allows you to see the difference between the beam angle and the field angle for spotlights. (See Angles for Spotlights.)