Adjusting shadows through light environments

We mentioned that there are three main light types in UDK: an Emissive component, static and dynamic light actors , and a Light Environment. Light Environments apply to InterpActors, RigidBody actors, and SkeletalMeshes. Every InterpActor (aka Mover) and KActor (aka RigidBody) has a dynamic light environment by default. Light environments provide level designers with an automated way of controlling dynamic lighting by approximating the effect of relevant static lights. With that in mind, this recipe gives a guided tour of light environment staging in a scene so a SkeletalMesh can be lit dynamically in a way that reduces harsh shadows.

Getting ready

Load the provided map Packt_08_LightEnvironment_Start.UDK. This scene shows a small enclosure with a DominantDirectionalLight (Sun), a Skydome, and some weak fill lights. The next screenshot shows the scene, and the XYZ axis is the location of the DominantDirectionalLight as it shines along its X axis...