Clay Animation Lighting. Lighting is a vital part of clay animation. If a scene is not correctly lit the animation may not be viewable after a sequence has been shot. 3-point lighting simulator Light and shadows can help give clay a more 3 dimensional look. The 3-point lighting system is the best way to light any subject in a scene. 3-point lighting details In lighting there are basic design guidelines. Mastering these guidelines provides a firm foundation for the development of lighting skills and provides a starting point for more creative and daring lighting designs. One of the basic guidelines for designing a workable lighting design is called 3-point lighting. The 3-point lighting design uses three light sources to illuminate the subject to provide shape and dimension. it also separates the subject from the background. The three light sources used for 3-point lighting are called Key light, Fill light, and Back light. The KEY light is the dominant light source striking the subject. Typically, the key light is at least twice as bright as the fill light. In the basic 3-point design, the KEY light is placed 45 degrees to the side of the subject and at a 45 degree angle above the subject. The Fill light is placed on the opposite side of the subject from the keylight and at approximately the same height and angle. Usually, the fill light is at least half as bright as the key light. The BACK light is placed behind the subject, again at about a 45 degree angle above and behind the subject. The brightness of the back light can range in intensity from the level of the fill light to that of the key light, depending on the reflectivity of your subject. The KEY, FILL and BACK lights represent the 3-points of a basic lighting design. In combination, these lights provide basic illumination of the subject. Through manipulation of the brightness of the key and fill lights shadowing is created which gives the illusion of 3 dimensionality to the subject. The back light then helps define the shape of the subject and separates it from the background. back light, fill light, key light, back and fill light, back and key light, fill and key light, back, fill and key light. http://www.clayanimator.com