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Kelvin

Last Updated: November 12, 20242.1 min read

Overview

Kelvin (K) is a unit of measurement used to describe the color temperature of light. The Kelvin scale is based on the temperature of a blackbody, which is an idealized object that absorbs all radiation and emits light of a specific color temperature.

The lower the Kelvin value, the warmer the color of light. For example, a light with a Kelvin value of 2,000 K would be a warm yellow light, while a light with a Kelvin value of 6,500 K would be a cool white light.

In game lighting, Kelvin is used to control the color of the light emitted by light sources. For example, a game developer might use a Kelvin value of 3,000 K to create a warm, candlelit atmosphere, or a Kelvin value of 6,500 K to create a cool, daylight atmosphere.

Here are some of the benefits of using Kelvin in game lighting:

  • Precision: Kelvin is a precise unit of measurement, which allows game developers to create lighting that is accurate to the real world.
  • Flexibility: Kelvin can be used to create a wide variety of lighting effects, from warm and cozy to cool and atmospheric.
  • Consistency: Kelvin can be used to ensure that the lighting in a game is consistent, regardless of the time of day or the location.

Here are some of the drawbacks of using Kelvin in game lighting:

  • Complexity: Kelvin can be a complex concept to understand, especially for beginners.
  • Accuracy: The accuracy of Kelvin is dependent on the quality of the light source. A cheap light source may not be able to accurately reproduce the desired Kelvin value.
  • Performance: Using Kelvin can have a negative impact on performance, especially in games with complex lighting setups.

Overall, Kelvin is a powerful tool that can be used to create realistic and atmospheric lighting in games. However, it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks of Kelvin, such as complexity and performance impact.

Here are some additional tips for using Kelvin in game lighting:

  • Use a high quality light source: A high quality light source will be able to accurately reproduce the desired Kelvin value.
  • Use a low number of light sources: Using a low number of light sources can help to improve performance.
  • Use a lightmap: A lightmap is a texture that stores the lighting information for a scene. Using a lightmap can help to improve performance by reducing the number of calculations that need to be performed.
  • Experiment with different Kelvin values: Experimenting with different Kelvin values can help you to find the right look for your game.

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