Lens flare or sunburst effects are common techniques to add realism and drama to 3D scenes. They simulate the optical phenomenon that occurs when a bright light source hits the camera lens and creates streaks, glows, or rings of light. In this article, you will learn how to create a lens flare or sunburst effect in 3D software using different methods and tools.
Lens flare is caused by the reflection and refraction of light rays inside the lens system of a camera. It can be affected by factors such as the shape, size, and number of the lens elements, the aperture, the focal length, and the angle of the light source. In 3D software, you can recreate lens flare by using a combination of lights, cameras, materials, and post-processing effects. Depending on the software you use, you may have built-in features or plugins to generate lens flare automatically, or you may have to create it manually.
To create a lens flare or sunburst effect in 3D software, start by identifying the light source in your scene, such as a directional light or specific light object. Increase the light intensity to enhance the glare effect. Check if your 3D software has a built-in lens flare or glare effect, and customise it if available. Explore post-processing effects like "bloom" or "glow" for added luminosity. Apply lens effects filters if supported, adjusting parameters like size and color. Experiment with camera and light positioning to achieve the desired effect. Fine-tune settings such as threshold, colour, and brightness for realism. Keep in mind that steps may vary based on the software used, so refer to the documentation for specific instructions.
Lens flare: Camera sees sparkly bits when bright lights get close. Real camera: More parts, bigger lights, wider open = more sparkles. 3D software: Add sparkly lights, shiny things, special effects = fake sparkles!
Some 3D software, such as Blender, Maya, or Cinema 4D, have built-in features or plugins that allow you to create lens flare easily. For example, in Blender, you can use the Glare node in the Compositor to add different types of lens flare effects to your scene. In Maya, you can use the Light Glow attribute in the Attribute Editor to control the intensity, color, and shape of the lens flare. In Cinema 4D, you can use the Lens Effects option in the Render Settings to enable lens flare and adjust its parameters.
Blender: Glare node adds sparkly effects (stars, rings, etc.) Maya: Light Glow on lights makes lens flare. Cinema 4D: Lens Effects in Render Settings gives basic flare options.
If your 3D software does not have built-in features or plugins for lens flare, or if you want more control and customization, you can create lens flare manually. One way to do this is to use a transparent plane with a texture that mimics the shape and color of the lens flare elements. You can position this plane in front of the camera and align it with the light source. You can also animate the plane's rotation, scale, and opacity to match the camera movement and the light intensity. Another way to create lens flare manually is to use a particle system that emits particles along the light rays. You can use different materials and settings for the particles to create various effects.
Here's the manual flare cheat sheet: Method 1: Picture Plane Add a flat sheet (plane) near your camera. Dress it up with a lens flare picture (stars, rings, whatever!). Angle it towards the bright light. Adjust its glow and transparency for extra sparkle. (Bonus) Make it wiggle to match camera movement. Method 2: Light Sprinkles Turn your light source into a sparkly fountain. Control the sparkle direction and speed. Dress up the sparkles with size, shape, and glow. Make them fade out as they fly away from the light. (Bonus) Play with sparkle collisions for extra fun.
A sunburst effect is a type of lens flare that creates a star-like pattern around a bright light source. It is often used to create a dramatic or cinematic mood in 3D scenes. To create a sunburst effect, you need to use a small and bright light source, such as a point light or a sun lamp. You also need to use a narrow aperture for your camera, which will create a smaller and sharper opening for the light to pass through. The shape and number of the sunburst rays will depend on the number of blades in your camera's aperture. You can either use a preset aperture shape or create your own using a texture.
Tiny, strong light: Think star in the sky. Camera squints: Small opening lets light in like sharp rays. More blades, more rays: Like flower petals around the light. Fancy textures: Paint custom ray shapes if you want. Extra glow: Shine it up with special effects for maximum wow.
If you want to make your lens flare and sunburst effects more realistic and appealing, use them sparingly and only when they serve a purpose. Too much brightness or distraction can reduce the quality of your scene. Additionally, match the effects to the style and mood of your scene. For example, use warm and soft colors for a romantic scene, or cold and sharp colors for a futuristic one. Additionally, experiment with different settings and parameters for your lights, cameras, materials, and post-processing effects. You can also use reference images or videos to study how lens flare and sunburst effects look in real life or in other 3D works for inspiration or guidance.
Less is More: Sprinkle lens flare and sunbursts like fancy spices - a touch goes a long way. Mood Matchmaker: Warm flares for cozy scenes, cool bursts for sci-fi vibes. Let the effects tell your story. Tweak & Experiment: Don't be afraid to play with settings! Lights, cameras, materials, effects - endless possibilities for unique flares. Real-life Inspiration: Grab reference images or videos, see how the pros do it. Learn from the masters!