How to effectively light up my base?

[s3q9g6]

Is there something Im missing? Because the lights you place in your base only seem to light up the one block they are standing on. Do I really have to create a lamp for each separate block in my base or I am doing something wrong / are the lights "broken" from the developer side?

[VulcanTourist]

Point at a light and press

to focus it in the Devices tab of the structure Control Panel. You can adjust the intensity, range, color and other factors. Spotlight mode is VERY useful for limiting the spread of light through walls; I use spotlight mode almost exclusively now.

I'm not entirely convinced that is your problem, though, because what you describe sounds pretty severe. I hope you're not trying to misuse plant lights as general lighting!

[s3q9g6]

Originally posted by VulcanTourist:

Point at a light and press

to focus it in the Devices tab of the structure Control Panel. You can adjust the intensity, range, color and other factors. Spotlight mode is VERY useful for limiting the spread of light through walls; I use spotlight mode almost exclusively now.

I'm not entirely convinced that is your problem, though, because what you describe sounds pretty severe. I hope you're not trying to misuse plant lights as general lighting! [/quote]
Oh thanks, I didn't realize we could adjust the lighting. Im not used to games giving me this much control /customization options

Will try that trick with the control panel tomorrow. And no, Im not using plant lighting, just those regular white things labeled as "Light" (or something)

[Lhetre]

Place your first light, set it to your preferred radius, colour, and intensity, then each new light you'll place will have the same radius, colour, and intensity.

[Docsprock]

Dont forget to right-click when you a light selected to change the appearance of the fixture. (I always forget to right-click items)

[VulcanTourist]

Originally posted by Lhetre:

Place your first light, set it to your preferred radius, colour, and intensity, then each new light you'll place will have the same radius, colour, and intensity.

Originally posted by Docsprock:

Dont forget to right-click when you a light selected to change the appearance of the fixture.

Truthy stuff I neglected to mention! Regarding the former, each time you alter the characteristics of a light, those become the new default until you change them again. This makes it advantageous to add lighting with the same functional purpose at the same time, if there's more than just a few.

[Joker]

if you add to many lights it will drop your frame rate, so try and add lights to a motion sensor.

[Sabaithal]

Or you can use one of the structures with light textures all over them so that you don't need semi-horrible lighting messing up the Aesthetics (which is what most of my stuff is).

Just another option.

[HurtfulPlayer97]

Another trick you can use to light up multiple floors using just one light is to take advantage of the fact that blocks don't block light. You can place one light at the top floor and set the distance to max and it will illuminate several floors below. I've done this on CV's when space to place lights was limited.

[Sparrowhawk65]

I believe you can place a bunch of lights in one group and change every light in that group to specific levels all at one time.

[VulcanTourist]

Originally posted by Sparrowhawk65:

I believe you can place a bunch of lights in one group and change every light in that group to specific levels all at one time.

Also true. You're allowed to change the characteristics for the entire Devices group and then apply them.

[s3q9g6]

Wow, so many helpful people around here. Thx all for helping a newbie

[VulcanTourist]

Originally posted by s3q9g6:

Wow, so many helpful people around here. Thx all for helping a newbie

Don't let the helpfulness fool you: I'm a rude merciless disruptive underpass-dwelling troll in disguise. You shall not pass!

[Sparrowhawk65]

Originally posted by VulcanTourist:

Originally posted by s3q9g6:

Wow, so many helpful people around here. Thx all for helping a newbie

Don't let the helpfulness fool you: I'm a rude merciless disruptive underpass-dwelling troll in disguise. You shall not pass!

Can confirm. :p

[s3q9g6]

So one last question: Does the shape of the light affect the area/size of the illuminated area, or are the different shapes just a cosmetic thing with no effect on the illumination effect? I notice that there are shapes like "corner light" and "Strip light Double/single corner"; do those do anything special, or can I achieve the exact same lighting-effect regardless of the shape I choose to use?

[Sabaithal]

Originally posted by s3q9g6:

So one last question: Does the shape of the light affect the area/size of the illuminated area, or are the different shapes just a cosmetic thing with no effect on the illumination effect? I notice that there are shapes like "corner light" and "Strip light Double/single corner"; do those do anything special, or can I achieve the exact same lighting-effect regardless of the shape I choose to use?

Yes. Some lights that look like they shine in one direction via spotlight will do so, but lights positioned at a corner angle will have a diagonal arc spotlight instead.