How to Simulate Various Light Sources

[PabloMack]

I tried setting the resolution on the render panel to 1X1. My concern with a 1X1 is that there would not be enough sampling per pixel to get a good representation of the whole image. I might be able to compensate for that by cranking up the quality parameter. After rendering, though, I got a 16X16 image which looks like is the smallest TG will do. If it would do a 1X1 then it might serve my purpose.

[PabloMack]

I have decided to use RGB LED strips for the main lighting for the studio. This will give me maximum latitude to reproduce a full color spectrum. Here is a video showing a reel of RGB LEDs producing the full spectrum of visible light driven by the new controller:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-oZ3I2y-RA

I have also received a reel of LEDs that emit UVA light. At present, I don't have any blacklight reactive objects to test the strength of the light coming from the reel, though, the LEDs do give off some visible Blue-violet light. I have some rolls of blacklight reactive gaffer tape (in five colors) on order to test it out. In the control console program I have implemented encoding UV information using an "Alpha" channel. This allows the unit to control four different LED channels (i.e. colors) per "zone". The video above only shows the RGB but the intent is to be able to drive RGBW or RGBU (where 'W' means White and 'U' means Ultra-violet Band A). I have already begun work on Rev B of the board which will implement a DMX512 Host that will be able to control off-the-shelf "smart lights" that using this standard. These are frequently used in live events such as concerts. I learned some things about the DMX512 by reading the Wikipedia on it as well as browsing a website for a company in McAllen Texas that sells related lighting products. Here are a couple of links for those of you who are interested in further reading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMX512
http://sirs-e.com/