Darkplaces lighting

Map with only lighting applied

Lighting is one of the most important and influential elements in level design. It has the power to make or break the visuals, theme and atmosphere. Lighting is just as important as geometry. Without lighting there is no environment but just a group of 3-dimensional objects. Its purpose goes further than just giving the players the ability to see where they are going.

Darkplaces engine combines several lighting techiques in order to get best performance and best looks. Because of that there is lots of options and tricks. Clever usage of them will help designers to make fast-to-render and well themed maps.

This reference will guide you in the deep dungeon of Darkplaces lighting methods, effects, tricks and quirks.

Important Note

Textures are the base for lighting. Before starting to learn how lighting works, be sure to check out Darkplaces material system as many of it's concepts and features used by lighting too.

Chapters

1. Introduction
2. Lighting model
3. Special effects
4. Light sources

Appendix

• Additional options

Recommended articles

• Lighting in game environments - the hows and whys