Lighting Essentials

Let’s talk about lighting—one of the most important parts of any game scene. Lighting not only makes our 3D models visible, but it also shapes the overall look and mood of the world. Even a simple scene can feel dramatic or cheerful depending on how it’s lit.

In many 3D engines, including Three.js or React Three Fiber, we have different types of lights to choose from:

• Ambient LightThis is like soft, even light scattered everywhere. It has no specific direction and just brightens up the entire scene a little. However, it won’t create shadows or highlights.
• Directional LightThink of the sun: directional light shines from one direction. It can create clear, sharp shadows, which helps add realism. Usually, we place a directional light above or at an angle to mimic sunlight.
• Point LightSimilar to a light bulb in a room, a point light shines out in all directions from a single point. The intensity drops off as you move further away from the source.
• Spot LightA spot light focuses its beam in a cone shape, like a flashlight. This is useful for highlighting certain areas or creating a theater-like effect.

To create a certain mood, we might adjust each light’s color and intensity. For example, a soft, warm color could make a cozy indoor scene, while a cool, bluish tone might feel like moonlight. Also, keep in mind that shadows can bring depth. If we enable shadows, our light and materials work together to cast realistic shapes on surfaces, helping players perceive space and distance.

Performance Tip: Too many dynamic lights (especially if they all cast shadows) can slow down the game, so we often choose just one or two main lights—like a directional light for the “sun” and maybe some softer lights to fill in darker areas.

Think of lighting as painting with brightness and color. By thoughtfully placing a few lights, you can guide the player’s eyes, set the atmosphere, and highlight important parts of your game world. Experiment with different types and angles to see how the mood changes—and remember, good lighting can transform a simple scene into a visually striking experience!