I have been sharing pictures of Kayle Matzerath’s new Atelier Dream Scene for a few days, and today’s jigsaw is drawn from the same source, because I am still fascinated by the use he makes of materials.
Let’s take an example from one small corner – the one shown in the first picture. The candle is burning, and it casts its light on the iron stove next to it, the iron pipe running above, the hanging on the ceiling and the floor. You will also notice changes in the light on the hanging as you more around the room – it’s very dynamic.
Blow out the candle – and the same scene is very different.
Now all the light is gone, not just from the candle, but from its reflections as well. There is still a little light on the curtain from the window, a faint effect of light from the room below. But all the reflected glow has likewise disappeared. I’m guessing that the whole thing is controlled by a script in the candle, but its beautifully done!
And here, for comparison, is the same shot with the Advanced Lighting Model turned off. There’s still an effect of light and shade in, for example, the folds in the curtain but really, what a difference!
Anyway, enough of my being impressed by Kayle’s work and the new Advanced Lighting Model. Let’s do a jigsaw!
Once again, the image has been lightened to work as a jigsaw.
Prim Perfect 
I am not an expert with materials (yet) but I believe the effect you describe is caused by the use of a specular map. The specular map is one of the three maps that can be used in the material system and it’s used to produce a shining effect on objects. If that is the case, the reflection of the candle light does not require a script.
Yes, I believe that’s the way Kayle got the lighting effect – and it really is spectacular as it changes as you move around the room – very realistic!
I was speculating how he controlled the real change (all the reflected candlelight disappearing) when the candle is extinguished (through a “Touch” action) – I guess the materials on all the objects around are changed through a script? Or is there another way of doing this?
No, no script is necessary. The specular map does that, its purpose is to reflect the light. Not only it reflects the light but when the light source moves around the reflection on the object moves as well. See this video as an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_2fWIJ0aw8
The other maps used in the material system are the diffuse map, which is what we use to call a texture, and the normal map which gives the effect of depth to objects. With the normal map you can simulate bumps, scratches, etc.
Hmm… my reply wasn’t clear enough. When the candle is off there is no light source, thus the reflection goes away. The specular map even reflects the color of the light source to some degree. So, if you have an object exposed to SL light at sunset the object will take an orange tint.
That’s amazing – thank you for explaining that, Indigo.