Three-Point Lighting

3점 조명

A starting setup that places key, fill and rim lights for different jobs: shaping the subject, lifting shadows and separating its outline from the background.

Also known as: Key LightFill LightRim Light
···
bpy — this entry
# 키·필·림 조명을 차례로 더해 피사체의 형태와 윤곽을 나누어 잡는다.
reset('EEVEE', samples=24)
camera((6, -8, 5), target=(0, 0, 1), lens=55)
floor()

bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_uv_sphere_add(segments=48, ring_count=24, radius=1, location=(0, 0, 1))
subject = bpy.context.object
bpy.ops.object.shade_smooth()
paint(subject, material('Subject', CLAY, roughness=0.58))
key = light('AREA', (4, -4, 6), target=(0, 0, 1), energy=520, size=2.5)
fill = light('AREA', (-4, -2, 3), target=(0, 0, 1), energy=320, size=3.5, color=(0.55, 0.75, 1.0))
rim = light('AREA', (0, 4, 4), target=(0, 0, 1), energy=620, size=2.0, color=(1.0, 0.68, 0.5))
fill.hide_render = True
rim.hide_render = True
frame(subject, margin=1.5)
shoot('key')

fill.hide_render = False
rim.hide_render = False
shoot('three')
Full script — runs as-is in Blender 5.1.1
# three-point-lighting — Blender 5.1.1 에서 그대로 돌아가는 스크립트
# 실행: blender -b --factory-startup --python three-point-lighting.py -- <출력 폴더>
SLUG = 'three-point-lighting'

# ── 무대: 모든 항목이 같이 쓰는 준비 코드 (renders/_stage.py) ──────────────────
# 빈 장면 → 렌더 엔진·크기 → 카메라·바닥·조명·재질 도우미 → shoot() 으로 WebP 저장.
import bpy, math, os, sys
from mathutils import Vector

# 출력 폴더: blender -b --factory-startup --python 이파일.py -- <출력 폴더>
OUT = sys.argv[sys.argv.index('--') + 1] if '--' in sys.argv[:-1] else os.getcwd()
os.makedirs(OUT, exist_ok=True)

# 색은 화면에서 고르는 sRGB 0~1 값으로 적는다. 블렌더 내부는 선형(linear)이라 srgb() 로 바꿔 넣는다.
BACKDROP = (0.24, 0.25, 0.27)
CLAY = (0.80, 0.77, 0.72)
LIME = (0.64, 0.90, 0.21)
SKY = (0.22, 0.65, 0.95)
CORAL = (0.96, 0.42, 0.45)
INK = (0.08, 0.09, 0.10)
ENGINES = {'WORKBENCH': 'BLENDER_WORKBENCH', 'EEVEE': 'BLENDER_EEVEE', 'CYCLES': 'CYCLES'}


def srgb(c, alpha=1.0):
    lin = lambda v: v / 12.92 if v <= 0.04045 else ((v + 0.055) / 1.055) ** 2.4
    return (lin(c[0]), lin(c[1]), lin(c[2]), alpha)


def reset(engine='WORKBENCH', samples=16, size=(960, 600)):
    """빈 장면에서 시작한다. engine: WORKBENCH(모양 확인) · EEVEE(실시간) · CYCLES(경로 추적)."""
    bpy.ops.wm.read_factory_settings(use_empty=True)
    sc = bpy.context.scene
    sc.render.engine = ENGINES[engine]
    sc.render.resolution_x, sc.render.resolution_y = size
    sc.render.resolution_percentage = 100
    sc.render.image_settings.file_format = 'WEBP'
    sc.render.image_settings.quality = 82
    sc.world = bpy.data.worlds.new('World')
    world_color(BACKDROP)
    if engine == 'WORKBENCH':
        sh = sc.display.shading
        sh.light, sh.color_type = 'STUDIO', 'MATERIAL'
        sh.show_shadows, sh.shadow_intensity = True, 0.35
        sh.show_cavity = True
        sc.display.render_aa = '16'
        sc.view_settings.view_transform = 'Standard'  # 재질 색을 그대로 보여 준다
    elif engine == 'EEVEE':
        sc.eevee.taa_render_samples = samples
    else:
        sc.cycles.samples = samples
        sc.cycles.use_denoising = True
    return sc


def world_color(color, strength=1.0):
    """배경색. Workbench 는 world.color, EEVEE·Cycles 는 Background 노드를 쓴다."""
    w = bpy.context.scene.world
    w.color = srgb(color)[:3]
    bg = w.node_tree.nodes.get('Background') if w.node_tree else None
    if bg:
        bg.inputs['Color'].default_value = srgb(color)
        bg.inputs['Strength'].default_value = strength
    return w


def hdri(name='studio', strength=1.0, show=False):
    """블렌더에 들어 있는 HDRI 로 장면을 비춘다(CC0 · Poly Haven). name: studio · city · courtyard · forest · interior · night · sunrise · sunset.
    show=False 면 빛과 반사에만 쓰고, 카메라에는 BACKDROP 색 배경이 보인다(Light Path 의 Is Camera Ray 로 가른다)."""
    nt = bpy.context.scene.world.node_tree
    nodes, links = nt.nodes, nt.links
    env = nodes.new('ShaderNodeTexEnvironment')
    env.image = bpy.data.images.load(os.path.join(bpy.utils.system_resource('DATAFILES'), 'studiolights', 'world', f'{name}.exr'))
    bg = nodes['Background']
    bg.inputs['Strength'].default_value = strength
    links.new(env.outputs['Color'], bg.inputs['Color'])
    if not show:
        flat = nodes.new('ShaderNodeBackground')
        flat.inputs['Color'].default_value = srgb(BACKDROP)
        ray, mix = nodes.new('ShaderNodeLightPath'), nodes.new('ShaderNodeMixShader')
        links.new(ray.outputs['Is Camera Ray'], mix.inputs['Fac'])
        links.new(bg.outputs['Background'], mix.inputs[1])
        links.new(flat.outputs['Background'], mix.inputs[2])
        links.new(mix.outputs['Shader'], nodes['World Output'].inputs['Surface'])
    return env


def look_at(obj, target):
    obj.rotation_euler = (Vector(target) - obj.location).to_track_quat('-Z', 'Y').to_euler()


def camera(location=(7, -7, 5), target=(0, 0, 0.5), lens=50):
    cam = bpy.data.objects.new('Camera', bpy.data.cameras.new('Camera'))
    bpy.context.scene.collection.objects.link(cam)
    cam.location = location
    look_at(cam, target)
    cam.data.lens = lens
    bpy.context.scene.camera = cam
    return cam


def frame(*objs, margin=1.15):
    """카메라 방향은 그대로 두고, objs 가 화면에 다 들어오게 카메라를 앞뒤로 옮긴다."""
    sc = bpy.context.scene
    dg = bpy.context.evaluated_depsgraph_get()
    pts = [o.matrix_world @ Vector(c) for o in objs for c in o.evaluated_get(dg).bound_box]
    mid = sum(pts, Vector()) / len(pts)
    coords = [c for p in pts for c in (mid + (p - mid) * margin)]
    loc, _scale = sc.camera.camera_fit_coords(dg, coords)
    sc.camera.location = loc
    return sc.camera


def light(kind='AREA', location=(4, -4, 6), target=(0, 0, 0), energy=600, size=3.0, color=(1, 1, 1)):
    """kind: POINT · SUN · SPOT · AREA. energy 는 와트(SUN 은 W/m²에 해당하는 세기)."""
    data = bpy.data.lights.new(kind.title(), kind)
    data.energy, data.color = energy, color
    if kind == 'AREA':
        data.size = size
    obj = bpy.data.objects.new(data.name, data)
    bpy.context.scene.collection.objects.link(obj)
    obj.location = location
    look_at(obj, target)
    return obj


def studio(key=700, fill=200, rim=450):
    """기본 3점 조명(키·필·림). EEVEE·Cycles 용 — Workbench 는 자체 스튜디오 조명을 쓴다."""
    return [light('AREA', (5, -4, 6), energy=key, size=4),
            light('AREA', (-6, -3, 3), energy=fill, size=5),
            light('AREA', (0, 6, 5), energy=rim, size=3)]


def material(name, color=CLAY, roughness=0.5, metallic=0.0, **inputs):
    """원리 BSDF 재질. inputs 는 소켓 이름(공백은 _ 로): Emission_Strength=3."""
    mat = bpy.data.materials.new(name)
    mat.diffuse_color = srgb(color)  # Workbench 가 보는 색
    bsdf = mat.node_tree.nodes['Principled BSDF']
    bsdf.inputs['Base Color'].default_value = srgb(color)
    bsdf.inputs['Roughness'].default_value = roughness
    bsdf.inputs['Metallic'].default_value = metallic
    for key, value in inputs.items():
        bsdf.inputs[key.replace('_', ' ')].default_value = value
    return mat


def paint(obj, mat):
    obj.data.materials.clear()
    obj.data.materials.append(mat)
    return obj


def floor(size=80.0, color=None, z=0.0, wall=30.0, curve=6.0):
    """바닥과 뒷벽(+Y 쪽)이 둥글게 이어진 스튜디오 배경 — 지평선이 보이지 않는다. 카메라는 -Y 쪽에서 +Y 를 보게 둔다."""
    import bmesh
    back = size / 2
    steps = 12
    profile = [(-back, 0.0)]  # (y, z) 단면: 앞 → 둥근 모서리 → 벽 위
    for i in range(steps + 1):
        a = (math.pi / 2) * i / steps
        profile.append((back - curve + curve * math.sin(a), curve - curve * math.cos(a)))
    profile.append((back, wall))
    bm = bmesh.new()
    left = [bm.verts.new((-back, y, z + h)) for y, h in profile]
    right = [bm.verts.new((back, y, z + h)) for y, h in profile]
    for i in range(len(profile) - 1):
        bm.faces.new((left[i], right[i], right[i + 1], left[i + 1]))
    me = bpy.data.meshes.new('Floor')
    bm.to_mesh(me)
    bm.free()
    obj = bpy.data.objects.new('Floor', me)
    bpy.context.scene.collection.objects.link(obj)
    for poly in me.polygons:
        poly.use_smooth = True
    return paint(obj, material('Floor', color or BACKDROP, roughness=0.9))


def edges(obj, thickness=0.012, color=INK):
    """메시의 선(엣지)을 렌더에 보이게 한다 — 모디파이어까지 적용된 모양에 와이어프레임을 씌운 복제본."""
    dg = bpy.context.evaluated_depsgraph_get()
    wire = bpy.data.objects.new(obj.name + '.edges', bpy.data.meshes.new_from_object(obj.evaluated_get(dg)))
    bpy.context.scene.collection.objects.link(wire)
    wire.matrix_world = obj.matrix_world.copy()
    mod = wire.modifiers.new('Wireframe', 'WIREFRAME')
    mod.thickness, mod.use_even_offset = thickness, True
    return paint(wire, material(obj.name + '.edges', color, roughness=0.8))


def shoot(name):
    """지금 장면을 <출력 폴더>/<항목>-<name>.webp 로 렌더한다."""
    sc = bpy.context.scene
    sc.render.filepath = os.path.join(OUT, f'{SLUG}-{name}.webp')
    bpy.ops.render.render(write_still=True)
    return sc.render.filepath


# ── 이 항목 ──
# 키·필·림 조명을 차례로 더해 피사체의 형태와 윤곽을 나누어 잡는다.
reset('EEVEE', samples=24)
camera((6, -8, 5), target=(0, 0, 1), lens=55)
floor()

bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_uv_sphere_add(segments=48, ring_count=24, radius=1, location=(0, 0, 1))
subject = bpy.context.object
bpy.ops.object.shade_smooth()
paint(subject, material('Subject', CLAY, roughness=0.58))
key = light('AREA', (4, -4, 6), target=(0, 0, 1), energy=520, size=2.5)
fill = light('AREA', (-4, -2, 3), target=(0, 0, 1), energy=320, size=3.5, color=(0.55, 0.75, 1.0))
rim = light('AREA', (0, 4, 4), target=(0, 0, 1), energy=620, size=2.0, color=(1.0, 0.68, 0.5))
fill.hide_render = True
rim.hide_render = True
frame(subject, margin=1.5)
shoot('key')

fill.hide_render = False
rim.hide_render = False
shoot('three')

Think of three crew members lighting one subject for different reasons. The Key shapes the main form, the Fill lifts contrast on the dark side, and the Rim from behind separates the outline from the background. In the UI, create separate Light objects and tune their positions, powers and sizes.

In code, use bpy.data.lights.new to create three Area lights, then aim each object at the subject from a different position. Separate data-blocks let you tune power and size independently. This demo first shows only the Key, then adds a weaker Fill and a rear Rim.

If all three lights have equal strength, their roles disappear and the result can look flat. Keep the Fill weaker than the Key in most setups, then tune the Rim while checking the outline against the background. This is a lighting arrangement for shaping an image, not a physical law.

When to use

Use it as a starting point when a person or product needs to read clearly against its background. A scene does not always need all three lights.

Open as page ↗

Suggest an entry

Tell us about a missing Blender term, tool or workflow. We read every suggestion.