If you’re using the newer versions of 3ds Max and VRay, then linking VRaySun to Daylight system is super easy. However, there is an alternate method for legacy users which is beneficial to newer users as well.
First of all, let’s discuss what the Daylight System really is. In the Create > Systems menu of the Command Panel, you’ll find the Daylight System option. This system gives you the ability to set the position of the Sun by entering the time of day and the timezone.
The VRaySun Daylight System
- Choose the Daylight option from the Systems tab. The Sunlight option is similar but not very useful while working with VRay.
- Click and drag on the ground plane in the viewport to create the compass.
- After the compass creation, you can set the height of the Sun helper by moving the mouse and clicking again.
- For newer versions of VRay, you can set the VRaySun directly from its modify tab settings. An options dialog will also ask if you want to set the VRaySky automatically as well.
- You don’t have to set any Skylight option or disable the default one. The VRaySky automatically overrides this setting.
- The options for setting the time of day and timezone reside in the Motion tab.
- You can either manually control the Sun helper in the viewport, or set the date, time and location.
- The location can either be set using the Get Location Map tool or the lat/long coordinates.
Legacy Trick
For older VRay users, or anyone who wants to view the Photon Emit radius in the viewport, use this method:
- Create the Daylight System and disable its Sun and Sky options.
- Create a new VRaySun and VRaySky setup.
- Use the align tool to overlap the Daylight Compass and the VRaySun target object. Do the same for the Daylight and VRaySun helpers.
- Use the link tool to parent the VRaySun and target to the Daylight Sun and compass respectively.
- Now the VRaySun will move wherever the Daylight system moves.
Hope you found this trick useful. Subscribe to this blog and don’t forget to share and comment below. See you in the next tutorial.
Hey Alex, I am really enjoying your video tutorials. They are simple, informative and easy to understand. I have also recommended your tutorials to a few of my mates as I feel you have created an amazing simplistic learning experience. Thank you and have an awesome day, Cheers Tim (Cape Town, South Africa)