About Lights And Points Of Interest; To Create A New Light - Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 7.0 Manual

Aligns the axes to the view you have selected. For example, suppose that a layer has been rotated
View Axis mode
and the view changed to a custom view; any subsequent transformation made to that layer while in View Axis mode
happens along the axes corresponding to the direction from which you are looking at the layer.
Note: The camera tools always adjust along the view's local axes, so their action is not affected by the axis modes.

About lights and points of interest

In After Effects, a light is a type of layer that shines light on other layers. You can choose among four different types
of lights—Parallel, Spot, Point, and Ambient—and modify them with varying settings. Lights, by default, point to the
point of interest.
You can specify which 3D layers a light affects by designating the light as an adjustment layer—place the light in the
Timeline panel above the layers on which you want it to shine. Layers that are above a light adjustment layer in the
Timeline panel do not receive the light, regardless of the light's position.
Parts of a light
A. Point of interest B. Spotlight cone C. Light
Cameras and lights include a property that specifies the point in the composition at which the camera or light points.
By default, the point of interest is set at the center of the composition, and the camera or light's view is automatically
oriented toward it. You can move the point of interest at any time.
See also
"About adjustment layers" on page 151

To create a new light

You can create Parallel, Spot, Point, and Ambient lights. You can animate all of a light's settings, except for Casts
Shadows.
Note: To make a layer display a shadow, select the Accepts Shadows layer material option.
1 From the Timeline or Composition panel, choose Layer > New > Light.
In the Light Settings dialog box, specify any of the following settings:
2
Parallel replicates directional, unconstrained light from an infinitely distant source. Spot emits light from
Light Type
a source that is constrained by a cone, like the spotlight used in stage productions. Point emits unconstrained
omnidirectional light, like the rays from a bare light bulb. Ambient creates light that has no source but rather
contributes to the overall brightness of a scene and casts no shadows.
A
B
C
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