Lighting

Lighting

Overview

Lighting in ACT 3 AI defines how scenes, shots, and characters are illuminated to achieve mood, realism, or stylization. Alongside Camera_Angles and Cinematography, lighting helps convey emotion, highlight characters, and direct audience focus. Users can customize light sources, intensity, and dynamics through the platform’s visual pre-production tools.

1. Purpose

• Establish the mood and atmosphere of each Scene
• Emphasize characters, props, and environments
• Simulate realistic time-of-day conditions (sunrise, sunset, night, etc.)
• Guide viewer attention through contrast and highlights

2. Lighting Types

• Key Light: Main source that defines subject shape
• Fill Light: Softens shadows, balances exposure
• Back Light (Rim): Separates subject from background
• Practical Lights: Lamps, candles, neon signs visible in shot
• Environmental Light: Sky, moonlight, ambient bounce

3. System Features

• AI-assisted auto-lighting per Shots or Scenes
• Adjustable presets: cinematic, natural, dramatic, stylized
• Dynamic lighting for animated or VFX-heavy projects
• Time-of-day simulation tied to Story_Beats
• Light rig visualization in Top_Down_View

4. Lighting Controls

• Intensity (lumens / exposure value)
• Color temperature (Kelvin scale, e.g. warm 3200K vs cool 5600K)
• Direction (front, side, top, back)
• Shadows (soft vs hard, cast length)
• Flicker and movement for practical lights (fire, neon, torch)

5. Integration with Tools

• Works with Storyboard_Panels to pre-visualize scenes
• Synchronized with Camera Angles and shot composition
• Auto-adjusts for Digital_Actors skin tones and costume materials
• Supports AI render models (Google_Veo_3, Runway, Wan)

6. Example Workflows

1. Select a Scene and enable "Lighting Setup" mode
2. Choose a preset (e.g., "Film Noir") or create a custom rig
3. Adjust exposure and color balance per Shot
4. Preview results in Editor or Build_Video
5. Refine during render pass for final look

7. Roadmap

• Volumetric lighting support (fog, god rays)
• Automated “lighting continuity” between scenes
• HDR and Dolby Vision grading integration
• Community lighting presets exchange

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See also: Cinematography, Camera_Angles, Top_Down_View