The new Procreate 5.2 update is finally here and it has a lot to offer. One of the highlights in this Procreate update is the 3D lighting and ambient settings. It helps you define the environment in which your 3D models are placed virtually, but you can also choose to view 3D objects in AR using Procreate. The app includes a handful of default environments, each of which interacts with the object differently. You can get similar effects, although not as good as Unreal Engine. So let’s learn how to edit 3D lighting and ambient settings in Procreate.
3D Lighting and Environment in Procreate (2021)
As we cover the feature, we will focus on all the built-in options available in Procreate. But before continuing, make sure you know how to import a 3D model in Procreate. You can jump to specific features using the table below. Other than that, let’s dive in.
How Lighting and Ambient Settings Work in Procreate
3D lighting and environment are visualization techniques you can use to create a realistic interpretation of 3D objects. The function of these settings is create a virtual light-based environment a system that can recreate not only sunlight but also other artificial lighting conditions. They interact with 3D objects and their textures by reflecting and absorbing light.
Typically, these environments in Procreate work with a combination of light sources. Create a natural-looking interaction with your 3D object. Filmmakers and artists use these techniques to add realistic visual global lighting properties to 3D objects and adjust the overall mood of the world around them.
How to Open 3D Lighting and Ambient Settings in Procreate
To get started, grab your Apple Pencil or alternative and open the Procreate app on your iPad. Then follow the steps below:
1. First, select the 3D model you want to work on from the Procreate home screen. For this tutorial we will use a 3D helmet that is part of Procreate’s sample models.
2. When the 3D model is loaded, Tap the Actions icon. Next to the “Gallery” option in the upper left corner of the screen is the round button with the wrench symbol.
3. From the Actions menu, Tap on 3D. It is marked with a hollow cube icon and is located to the right of the Share button. Under 3D settings, tap on the last second option that says “.Organize the lighting and environment“.
How to Use 3D Lighting in Procreate on iPad
Tapping the “Edit lighting and environment” button will Lighting Studio at Procreate. If you want to represent your 3D model in lifelike lighting conditions, this is where the magic happens.
Feel free to use your fingers to press, hold, and move the 3D model in empty space to change the perspective until you find an angle that suits your needs. Joyful can even look at objects from below, and if it’s hollow, even from the inside. Pinch on the object with two fingers helps you zoom in and out. But now let’s go over all the light-based options, starting with adding light sources.
Adding and Placing Lights in Procreate
As soon as you enter the lighting studio in Procreate, you will notice that there are two light cubes by default. These are the light sources around your 3D object. Similar to real life, your object will absorb and reflect light from this source depending on the texture. It’s easy to add more light sources, even if they’re not there for some reason.
1. To get started “Add Light” button It is located between the “Cancel” and “Environment” options in the upper right corner to add more light cubes. You can place up to four light cubes at once in Procreate.
2. As soon as you tap the “Add Light” button, place a new light cube in the lighting studio. These cubes can be moved around by dragging and dropping them anywhere in this space. To drag and move, you have to put your finger on a light cube and hold it. To make this easier, you can adjust the perspective by pressing, holding, and then dragging your finger on the empty space.
Edit Lighting Settings in Procreate Lighting Studio
After placing the light cubes, it’s time to adjust the settings to change how the object appears in 3D space. Fortunately, Procreate gives you enough options to edit the lights without making it too complicated. You can do tap a light cube to edit its properties.
The Lighting Settings popup lets you edit the following features in Procreate:
- color tone: It is the color emitted by the light source. In a rainbow-like format, you can easily choose the color of the light.
- Saturation: This option describes how colorful the light from that source should be. It works by changing the presence of white light mixed with the hue or color you choose. You can use it somehow to increase the brightness of a color.
- intensity: The last option determines how bright or powerful the light source should be. Moving the slider to zero will turn off the light, while moving the slider to the right will make the light source as strong as possible.
How to Edit Media in Procreate on iPad
Once our custom light sources are ready, it’s time to change the ambient (or basic) lighting. Currently, Procreate only offers a set of default environments to choose from. Here’s how it works.
1. In the lighting studio “Environment” Press the button in the upper right corner of the screen. Here, you can show or hide the environment with a tap. Hiding the environment will remove all lights and reflection-based effects applied to your 3D model.
2. In the Environment drop-down menu, Procreate gives you many options to choose from. As their name suggests, available environments are based on specific real-life locations. Tap on their name to select and apply. When selected, virtual environments will recreate the lighting conditions of these locations. You can even change the exposure settings of the environment according to your preferences. Doing so will change the intensity of the ambient lights.
3. Now, “CompletedYou can save the changes and exit these settings by clicking the ” button.
6. Pressing the “Done” button will take you back to the drawing board, but the lighting and environmental effects will still be visible.
Default Environments in Procreate 5.2
Here is a list of all the default environments you can use in the Procreate 5.2 update to add lighting effects to your 3D models. All are designed to recreate lifelike lighting environments.
- Studio
- wild
- Auditorium
- City
- night life
- port side
- Industry
- sunrise
- Beach
- Mountain
- Daytime
We can expect Procreate to add more environments with in-depth light editing features in the future. Still, the same official statement has not been made as of November 2021.
Get started with 3D Lighting and Environment in Procreate
With it, you’re ready to professionally present your 3D objects with similar lighting effects in Procreate. If you can’t find these options in your Procreate app, go to the App Store and update the app on your iPad. Now that the Procreate 5.2 update is widely available, you can start using the 3D lighting and ambient settings in Procreate as described above. The functionality will remain the same on every iPad model, including the new M1 iPad Pro. We’ll be sure to update you with more important features as the Procreate 5.2 update comes out. In the meantime, if you feel stuck using Procreate, drop your queries in the comments below. Our team will help solve the problem as soon as possible. If you have the new Procreate 5.2 update, what is your favorite new feature? Let us know in the comments below.
