How do I let ambient light through windows?

[Farnaby]

I have a map with one building, I set ambient light to daylight.
I put a mask on the building to block the sunlight.

Now how do I get the sunlight to shine through windows and open doors?

[Geometer]

I don't think you can yet. At least, I haven't found a way of doing it. The problem is, I think, that Ambient Light isn't directional, it's just a tint applied to the whole image except for selected areas, and doesn't simulate beams as such. To get light to shine through a window into a building you either have to have an external light source - a torch or a bonfire, etc., or simulate it by placing a Light on the window itself. I've found the former works reasonably well and is fairly simple to set up; the latter, not so much.

[Zacchaeus]

Place lights just inside the window the same colour as you've used for the ambient light. Set the bright light to zero and the dim to maybe 10 ft with falloff of 100 (or so). Depends on the size of the room but you just want a diffuse light. You can also add a shadow occluder just outside the window so that the light inside doesn't spill outside - should that be noticeable.

[Moon Wizard]

As @Zacchaeus mentioned, place lights at each window. I've seen them placed just outside and just inside; so move to where you like the aesthetic.

Regards,
JPG

[Geometer]

Place lights just inside the window the same colour as you've used for the ambient light. Set the bright light to zero and the dim to maybe 10 ft with falloff of 100 (or so). Depends on the size of the room but you just want a diffuse light. You can also add a shadow occluder just outside the window so that the light inside doesn't pill outside - should that be noticeable.

That's interesting. I tried something along those lines, putting a shadow occluder outside the window, but found I had issues with the light then casting shadows outside the building. It was most odd. Having said that, I wasn't actually using Ambient Light at the time, the light came from a big fire nearby, so maybe that has some bearing. I shall have to revisit that little experiment.

[Angloson]

Place lights just inside the window the same colour as you've used for the ambient light. Set the bright light to zero and the dim to maybe 10 ft with falloff of 100 (or so). Depends on the size of the room but you just want a diffuse light. You can also add a shadow occluder just outside the window so that the light inside doesn't pill outside - should that be noticeable.

Absolutely, capital idea! I will try this on maps that I use again and again in a campaign, like a local tavern, inn, or the PCs base. Thanks!

[Farnaby]

Place lights just inside the window the same colour as you've used for the ambient light. Set the bright light to zero and the dim to maybe 10 ft with falloff of 100 (or so). Depends on the size of the room but you just want a diffuse light. You can also add a shadow occluder just outside the window so that the light inside doesn't pill outside - should that be noticeable.

Thanks, great tip!

[WinterSoldier7]

I'm no doubt being an idiot, but what do you use as a shadow occluder? I'm struggling to get a window light that looks any good

[Zacchaeus]

There is an occluder type for shadows

[WinterSoldier7]

Ah, ok, thank. Will have a play around with that