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Print at Dec 17, 2025, 1:53:27 AM

Posted by rontant at Jul 4, 2018, 2:56:15 AM

Ceiling downlight
I want to put ceiling downlight but cannot find it in the default library. So I put a incandescent light source instead but that doesn't look like a ceiling downlight at all because it creates a bright spot on the ceiling.

I used Blender to create a simple cylinder with a bottom face removed and import it to Sweethome3D to simulate a downlight housing.

Here are the two images:

Using incandescent light source without downlight housing

Using my simple housing. I know the protuding part from the ceiling is ugly but I don't know how to flaten it without losing the effect of downlight.

Any tips to share on creating a proper downlight?

Posted by Puybaret at Jul 4, 2018, 11:17:17 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Hope this thread can help you...
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Emmanuel Puybaret, Sweet Home 3D creator

Posted by rontant at Jul 4, 2018, 1:42:56 PM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Thanks Emanuelle! That thread indeed is very informative. I'll spend some time reading it. I have a lot to learn.

Posted by rontant at Jul 6, 2018, 3:06:30 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
The tips shared in the thread seems too complicated for me but I am deeply impressed with CeciliaB's post where she put light sources on the floor to simulate light beam spots on the floor. So I tried to follow her tricks by putting several light sources with elevation around 5cm to 40cm, but some of the renders seem to give some desirable effects. Please see attached photos.

The round light patch on the left came from the light source (with 5cm elevation from the floor). It looks too harsh and out of place. Then the light source near the girl's right lower leg gave a black patch on it. Overburned?

Look at the dark patches on the door frame.

Any tips on how to avoid these unwelcome ground level light source reflections?

Posted by enkonyito at Jul 6, 2018, 6:29:01 PM

Re: Ceiling downlight
@rontant

When a light source comes in contact with an object, there is a dark mark at their intersections.
To avoid this, I choose the aerial view centered on the selection (light source) and I turn around it in the 3D view to check that there is no contact.

The white dots and reflections of the light sources are due to the fact that the shininessShader parameter is by default on silk.
To correct this, you can decrease the shininess of the parts of the object concerned or put it in mat.
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EnkoNyito

Posted by rontant at Jul 7, 2018, 1:34:49 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Thank you very much @enkonyito. I have followed your advices and indeed they solved all the problems. Here is the new Q3 render. You are wonderful.

I really enjoy playing with the lighting.

Posted by rontant at Jul 7, 2018, 2:28:35 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Resized some of light source sphere, ensured no contacts with objects.
Reduced light source brightness.
Reduced shininess of materials.

Posted by Ceciliabr at Jul 8, 2018, 8:36:33 PM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Very nice project, and very nice images.

cec

Posted by rontant at Jul 9, 2018, 12:46:56 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Thanks @Ceciliabr, I am glad you like it. I am a great admirer of your works and still trying to learn from you. Hope to see more of your works here.

Posted by rontant at Jul 12, 2018, 6:13:10 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight

Using Blender, I created a ceiling mounted spot light. Anyone who wants it, feel free to download it from https://sourceforge.net/p/sweethome3d/d-models/496/

Light bulb is not included. tongue

You need to put in a a light bulb (light source from the library) and resize it to 3cm. Resize the spotlight width to 5cm and 3cm for the light bulb/light.

The elevation for the spotlight should be set to 227cm and 232cm for the light bulb/source inside the housing.

Then carefully put the light source as deep as possible in the spotlight housing.

Test it in a dark room to make sure the light source fit properly. Light should not escape from the back or sides of the spotlight. Once fitted properly, select both light source and the spotlight housing, and group them.

Posted by VeroniQ at Jul 12, 2018, 8:53:45 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Nice rendering! I will try it.

Posted by rontant at Jul 12, 2018, 12:52:34 PM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Thanks VeroniQ, don't forget to share with us your rendered photo of the spotlight. Enjoy...

Posted by rontant at Jul 12, 2018, 1:49:01 PM

Re: Ceiling downlight

Remembering what I learned from Ceciliabr, I made sure that the spotlight will not illuminate the ceiling. Hopefully she will endorse the design.

Posted by rontant at Jul 12, 2018, 1:50:46 PM

Re: Ceiling downlight
The one at the left uses incandescent light bulb, and the right, halogen.

Posted by rontant at Jul 13, 2018, 6:24:14 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
I have found the trick to include light source in the sh3f furniture library.

Here is the updated library that you can all download. Inside there are three variants of spotlight, i.e. incandescent, neutral, and fireglow.

https://sourceforge.net/p/sweethome3d/d-models/496/#ea81

Enjoy

Posted by rontant at Jul 28, 2018, 3:04:01 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Update: I changed the outer white rim of the light to glow in the dark.

Download the update at https://sourceforge.net/p/sweethome3d/d-models/496/#9fd1

Spot the difference?

The spotlight on the left is the old model. The one at the right is the updated version. tongue

Posted by Ceciliabr at Jul 28, 2018, 7:35:44 PM

Re: Ceiling downlight

Remembering what I learned from Ceciliabr, I made sure that the spotlight will not illuminate the ceiling. Hopefully she will endorse the design.

Yes! Nice job!

Cec

Posted by samuiyo at Mar 3, 2020, 2:01:08 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
That was a great job,

I am working on an illuminated label for a store, I did it at wild and of course I didn't like it.
Glows goes everywhere but in place.
I will follow your guides and advices about all this matter.

Hope succeed as far as you people!

Posted by MariusTitulescu at Mar 29, 2025, 8:01:37 AM

Re: Ceiling downlight
Looking great! I'd definitely steal this idea.
________________________
Marius
https://ndrelectric.com/

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