The Fastest Way to Learn Lighting in UE5

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the fundamentals of lighting in Unreal Engine 5 (UE5), based on expert insights from a visual effects artist with experience in Hollywood productions. You'll learn how to effectively set up lighting for both exterior and night scenes, match lighting from reference images, and apply practical techniques to enhance your projects in UE5.

Chapter 1: Lighting Framework

To match the lighting of any scene effectively, focus on the following four elements:

1. Light Direction

   • Determine where your light source is located by analyzing shadow perspectives.
   • Use real-time feedback in UE5 to adjust and experiment quickly.

2. Light Size

   • Understand that the size of your light affects shadow softness.
   • For example, a small light source creates crisp shadows, while a larger light source results in softer shadows.

3. Light Color

   • Match the hue and saturation of your light to avoid unnatural tinting of materials.
   • Consider the atmospheric effects in your scene to ensure consistency.

4. Light Intensity

   • Adjust the intensity to achieve the desired mood, whether bright and sunny or dim and moody.

Chapter 2: Exterior Lighting in UE5

Setting up an exterior daylight scene requires only three main components:

1. Directional Light (Sun)

   • Add a directional light to simulate sunlight.
   • Enable "Atmosphere Sunlight" in the details panel.

2. Skylight

   • Use a skylight for fill and bounce light.
   • You can incorporate an HDRI texture for realistic sky effects:
     • Acquire an HDR texture from sites like Polyhaven.
     • Create an unlit material and apply the HDRI.

3. Sky Atmosphere

   • Add a sky atmosphere to your scene.
   • Consider using volumetric clouds or an HDRI backdrop for enhanced realism.

4. Exponential Height Fog

   • Integrate fog to add depth and separation between foreground and background elements.
   • Adjust fog density and cutoff distance to control visibility.

Chapter 3: Light Direction

To create visually interesting shapes in your scene:

1. Analyze Shadows

   • Turn off all lights except the directional light to see how it shapes your scene.
   • Use the shadows to identify the light source's location and adjust accordingly.

2. Real-Time Adjustments

   • Rotate the directional light in real-time to see immediate effects on your scene.
   • Experiment with angles to achieve the best light direction.

Chapter 4: Light Size

Understanding light size is crucial for shadow quality:

1. Soft and Crisp Shadows

   • Increase the source angle and source soft angle to create softer shadows.
   • Use a larger light source to mimic overcast conditions, affecting brightness and shadow quality.

2. Practical Adjustments

   • For sunny conditions, maintain a smaller source angle to keep shadows crisp.
   • For overcast days, increase the source angle for softer, diffused lighting.

Chapter 5: Color and Intensity

To finalize your lighting setup:

1. Match Light Color

   • Ensure the light's color complements the scene without overwhelming the materials.
   • Adjust atmospheric fog color to blend with the background.

2. Control Intensity

   • Use intensity adjustments to create different emotional impacts within your scene.

Chapter 6: How to Light Nighttime Exteriors

Lighting nighttime scenes effectively involves creative strategies:

1. Hidden Light Sources

   • Position bright lights at the top of the frame to create reflections on surfaces.
   • Use large lights to cast significant reflections that enhance realism.

2. Material Properties

   • Ensure your ground materials have low roughness (below 0.2) for better reflections.

3. Building Shapes with Light

   • Use fewer, larger lights to create clear, impactful shapes rather than tiny details.

Chapter 7: Lighting Study - Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

To perform a lighting study:

1. Organize Your Project

   • Create different levels for effects and lighting to toggle them easily without changing geometry.

2. Understand the Original Shot

   • Analyze the intention behind the lighting in your reference image, focusing on key light sources and shadows.

3. Experiment with Brightness

   • Use high-intensity lights to achieve dramatic effects and silhouettes.

4. Incorporate Volumetrics

   • Utilize exponential height fog to enhance the atmospheric quality of your scene.

Conclusion

This tutorial has covered the essential components of lighting in Unreal Engine 5, including setting up daylight and nighttime scenes, understanding light properties, and conducting lighting studies. By applying these principles, you can create visually stunning environments that enhance your projects. For further exploration, consider downloading the provided project file and experimenting with the techniques discussed. Happy lighting!