New user: light not behaving as expected

[mike_berg]

I'm new to V-Ray, and I'm getting my "studio lighting" setup made, and am having weird issues with the lights. I'm following this tutorial and the light I'm showing you in the screen recording is the main Key Light. It doesn't seem to be casting much light at all, and only highlights some of the bevels.

I've attached the .max file, if that helps.

Thanks!
-Mike

[vladimir_krastev]

Hi, thanks for posting and welcome to V-Ray. Your material is almost 100% reflective and there is nothing to reflect. You have only one light and no environment. In the tutorial there is a VRayDomeLight with an HDRI texture. The white spots in your render are specular reflections. This is the reflection of the light itself that becomes visible only in a narrow angle. The dome light is like an envelope over the whole scene and that is why the material reflects it at any angle. You can achieve a similar effect if you use VRaySky in the environment slot.

[mike_berg]

Thank you...! <facepalm>