Applied Volumetric Lighting

In this tutorial, I would like to demonstrate the use of volumetric lighting to create realistic fire in LightWave. But first, let's look at what we need to do. We are going to create a volumetric fire using distant light in Layout. The fire will have procedural texture on one layer and color on another layer.

First, let's get setup...

Setting

• open layout program
• select camera
• set position to x=-2 y=0 z=-5
• set rotation to h=20 p=0 b=0
• select light
• set light type to distant
• set position to x=0 y=-1 z=0
• set rotation to h=0 p=-90 b=0
  (this directs the light source up, thus creates an upward burning flame)

Now, let's work on creating texture for the flame...

Texture Layer

• open light properties panel
• check the box to select volumetric light
• open volumetric options panel
• check the box to select texture only
• set luminosity to 500%
• open texture editor panel
• set layer type to procedural texture
• select falloff tab
• set z=25%
  (this softens the texture)
• select scale tab
• set x=.5m y=1.5m
  (this stretches texture vertically, thus makes it look more flame-like)
  
  

Now, let's create color for the flame on another layer...

Color Layer

• select add layer
• choose gradient
• set input parameter to previous layer
  (this remaps the values from procedural texture layer)
• set alpha value to 0%
• click anywhere on the vertical bar to create a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th key
• set the 2nd key's parameter to .15
• set the 3rd to .35
• set the 4th to .5
  (experiment with different parameter values to manipulate the shape of the flame, the closer the keys are placed together, the richer the color blend, but the longer the rendering)
• set the color of the last key to r=255 g=128 b=0
  (or any color within red-orange range)
• set its alpha value to 100%
  (this creates a color blend from the 1st to the last key)
  
  

We should have a realistic looking flame by now; but let's give it a finishing touch...

Final Touch

• open volumetric options panel
• set luminosity to 4000%
• set opacity to 5000%
  (this greatly enhance the flame contrast, thus gives it a more intense look)
  
  

Feel free to experiment around with the different values, positions, procedural type to see the different effects/results. Keep in mind, the more effect you add to it, the more rendering time it will take.

HAVE FUN WITH IT!