Light Include/Exclude Tool

The Light Include/Exclude tool is a modeless dialog that lets you include or exclude objects on a light-by-light basis. When excluded, an object is not illuminated by the specified light and receives no shadows.

Design Standard workspace > Design ribbon > Lighting and Rendering tab > Light Tools panel > Include/Exclue

This dialog requires at least one light object in your scene. For a selected light, this dialog is a shortcut to the same functionality available on the Exclude/Include dialog.

Although light exclusion does not occur in nature, this feature is useful when you need exact control over the lighting in your scene. Sometimes, for example, you'll want to add lights specifically to illuminate a single object but not its surroundings, or you'll want a light to cast shadows from one object but not from another.

Note: By default, no objects are excluded for a new light. It’s necessary only to include objects that have previously been excluded.

Procedures

To prevent an object from receiving light:

In the scene, select the object or objects to exclude.
Open the Light Include/Exclude dialog.
In the Geometry group, choose Exclude.
Click the Assign To Light button.
In the scene, click a light. If the light is hard to locate, use the Pick Object dialog(keyboard shortcut H) to pick the light.
The object is now excluded from being illuminated by the specified light. The Objects list at the bottom of the dialog lists the object.
Render to see the effect.

Interface

Geometry group

Include/Exclude: Specifies whether the selected object is to receive light from a particular light object. Default=include.
Assign to Light: Activates selection so you can choose the light you want to use. You can choose only one light at a time.

List Light Properties group

These controls let you view and edit the include/exclude status of objects on a light-by-light basis.

Current displayed light: Names the currently selected light.
Choose Light: Activates selection so you can choose another light.
Clear Light: Empties the Objects list, removing any included or excluded objects assigned to the currently displayed light.
Include/Exclude: Reverses the state of included or excluded objects to receive light from the currently displayed light.
Objects: Lists objects selected for inclusion or exclusion by the currently displayed light.

Help: Provides a quick reminder of procedures.