How do I make viewports have the same lighting as in game?

SnowBoy12766 · May 25, 2025, 11:53am

I want to viewports to have the same lighting as in game, I’m making a module to make screenshots

The lighting is dark and doesn’t look good

I tried searching on the devforum for something like this but didn’t find anything

Here’s a snippet of the code

function SnapService:TakeScreenShot(camera: Camera) : ViewportFrame
	local viewport=Instance.new("ViewportFrame")
	viewport.CurrentCamera=camera

	local function removeScripts(dt)
		for _, v in pairs(dt:GetChildren()) do
			if v:IsA("BaseScript") then
				v:Destroy()
			else
				task.spawn(removeScripts, v)
			end
		end
	end

	local lighting=game:GetService('Lighting')

	local sunDir=lighting:GetSunDirection()

	viewport.LightDirection=(camera.CFrame:Inverse() * sunDir) *(lighting.Brightness*5)

	viewport.Ambient=lighting.Ambient

	for _, v in lighting:GetChildren() do
		v:Clone().Parent=viewport
	end

	for _, v in pairs(workspace:GetChildren()) do
		if v:IsA("Model") or v:IsA("Folder") then
			if v:IsA('Terrain') then continue end

			v.Archivable=true

			local cl=v:Clone()

			task.spawn(removeScripts, cl)

			cl.Parent=viewport
		elseif v:IsA("BasePart") or v:IsA("UnionOperation") then
			if v:IsA('Terrain') then continue end

			v.Archivable=true

			local cl=v:Clone()

			task.spawn(removeScripts, cl)

			cl.Parent=viewport
		end
	end

	return viewport
end

RBuilderman100 · May 25, 2025, 1:34pm


local SnapService = {}

type Camera = Instance
type ViewportFrame = Instance
type BasePart = Instance
type UnionOperation = Instance

local function removeScripts(instance: Instance)
	for _, child in instance:GetChildren() do
		if child:IsA("BaseScript") then
			child:Destroy()
		else
			task.spawn(removeScripts, child)
		end
	end
end

function SnapService:TakeScreenShot(camera: Camera): ViewportFrame
	local viewport = Instance.new("ViewportFrame")
	viewport.CurrentCamera = camera

	local lighting = game:GetService('Lighting')

	viewport.Ambient = lighting.Ambient
	viewport.OutdoorAmbient = lighting.OutdoorAmbient
	viewport.Brightness = lighting.Brightness
	viewport.ShadowSoftness = lighting.ShadowSoftness
	viewport.GeographicLatitude = lighting.GeographicLatitude

	local sunDirectionWorld = lighting:GetSunDirection()
	viewport.LightDirection = (camera.CFrame:Inverse() * sunDirectionWorld).Unit

	for _, lightObject in lighting:GetChildren() do
		if lightObject:IsA("Atmosphere") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Bloom") or
		   lightObject:IsA("ColorCorrection") or
		   lightObject:IsA("DepthOfField") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Fog") or
		   lightObject:IsA("SunRays") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Sky") then
			lightObject:Clone().Parent = viewport
		end
	end

	for _, v in pairs(workspace:GetChildren()) do
		if not v.Archivable then
			v.Archivable = true
		end

		if v:IsA("Model") or v:IsA("Folder") or v:IsA("BasePart") or v:IsA("UnionOperation") then
			if v:IsA('Terrain') then
				continue
			end

			local clonedObject = v:Clone()
			task.spawn(removeScripts, clonedObject)
			clonedObject.Parent = viewport
		end
	end

	return viewport
end

return SnapService

Heres the ModuleScript! Make sure your script is in ReplicatedStorage.

SnowBoy12766 · May 25, 2025, 1:47pm

viewport.OutdoorAmbient = lighting.OutdoorAmbient
viewport.Brightness = lighting.Brightness
viewport.ShadowSoftness = lighting.ShadowSoftness
viewport.GeographicLatitude = lighting.GeographicLatitude

These do no exist in viewports.
And the lighting is still scuffed

RBuilderman100 · May 25, 2025, 2:09pm

Okay i removed things that are valid.

local SnapService = {}

type Camera = Instance
type ViewportFrame = Instance
type BasePart = Instance
type UnionOperation = Instance

local function removeScripts(instance: Instance)
	for _, child in instance:GetChildren() do
		if child:IsA("BaseScript") then
			child:Destroy()
		else
			task.spawn(removeScripts, child)
		end
	end
end

function SnapService:TakeScreenShot(camera: Camera): ViewportFrame
	local viewport = Instance.new("ViewportFrame")
	viewport.CurrentCamera = camera

	local lighting = game:GetService('Lighting')

-- --- Lighting Properties ---
	viewport.Ambient = lighting.OutdoorAmbient or lighting.Ambient -- Fallback to Ambient if OutdoorAmbient is nil (though it shouldn't be)

	-- LightDirection: Correctly set as a normalized vector relative to the camera.
	local sunDirectionWorld = lighting:GetSunDirection()
	viewport.LightDirection = (camera.CFrame:Inverse() * sunDirectionWorld).Unit

-- --- Clone Lighting Objects ---
	for _, lightObject in lighting:GetChildren() do
		if lightObject:IsA("Atmosphere") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Bloom") or
		   lightObject:IsA("ColorCorrection") or
		   lightObject:IsA("DepthOfField") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Fog") or
		   lightObject:IsA("SunRays") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Sky") then
			lightObject:Clone().Parent = viewport
		end
	end

-- --- Clone Workspace Objects ---
	for _, v in pairs(workspace:GetChildren()) do
		if not v.Archivable then
			v.Archivable = true
		end

		if v:IsA("Model") or v:IsA("Folder") or v:IsA("BasePart") or v:IsA("UnionOperation") then
			if v:IsA('Terrain') then
				continue
			end

			local clonedObject = v:Clone()
			task.spawn(removeScripts, clonedObject)
			clonedObject.Parent = viewport
		end
	end

	return viewport
end

return SnapService

REMOVED:

viewport.OutdoorAmbient = lighting.OutdoorAmbient
viewport.Brightness = lighting.Brightness
viewport.ShadowSoftness = lighting.ShadowSoftness
viewport.GeographicLatitude = lighting.GeographicLatitude

Sorry for that! I thought viewport.[LIGHTING PROPERTY] exists😅

Reply to me if theres any issues!.

SnowBoy12766 · May 25, 2025, 2:18pm

It’s still scuffed

There’s no shadows and very poor lighting.

RBuilderman100 · May 25, 2025, 2:23pm

Can i check your Lighting properties? by using screenshot

SnowBoy12766 · May 25, 2025, 2:27pm

RBuilderman100 · May 25, 2025, 2:32pm

local SnapService = {}

type Camera = Instance
type ViewportFrame = Instance
type BasePart = Instance
type UnionOperation = Instance

local function removeScripts(instance: Instance)
	for _, child in instance:GetChildren() do
		if child:IsA("BaseScript") then
			child:Destroy()
		else
			task.spawn(removeScripts, child)
		end
	end
end

local function enableShadowsRecursively(instance: Instance)
	-- Enable shadows for all parts
	if instance:IsA("BasePart") then
		instance.CastShadow = true
	end
	
	for _, child in instance:GetChildren() do
		enableShadowsRecursively(child)
	end
end

function SnapService:TakeScreenShot(camera: Camera): ViewportFrame
	local viewport = Instance.new("ViewportFrame")
	viewport.CurrentCamera = camera
	
	local lighting = game:GetService('Lighting')

	-- --- Enhanced Lighting Properties ---
	-- Ambient lighting
	viewport.Ambient = lighting.OutdoorAmbient or lighting.Ambient
	
	-- Light direction: Use the actual sun direction without transformation
	-- ViewportFrame expects world-space direction, not camera-relative
	viewport.LightDirection = lighting:GetSunDirection()
	
	-- Light color - this is crucial for proper lighting
	viewport.LightColor = lighting.SunAngularSize > 0 and lighting.SunSize or Color3.fromRGB(255, 255, 255)

	-- --- Clone Lighting Objects ---
	for _, lightObject in lighting:GetChildren() do
		if lightObject:IsA("Atmosphere") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Bloom") or
		   lightObject:IsA("ColorCorrection") or
		   lightObject:IsA("DepthOfField") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Fog") or
		   lightObject:IsA("SunRays") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Sky") then
			local clonedLight = lightObject:Clone()
			clonedLight.Parent = viewport
		end
	end

	-- --- Clone Workspace Objects with Shadow Support ---
	for _, v in pairs(workspace:GetChildren()) do
		if not v.Archivable then
			v.Archivable = true
		end

		if v:IsA("Model") or v:IsA("Folder") or v:IsA("BasePart") or v:IsA("UnionOperation") then
			if v:IsA('Terrain') then
				continue
			end

			local clonedObject = v:Clone()
			task.spawn(removeScripts, clonedObject)
			
			-- Enable shadows for all parts in the cloned object
			enableShadowsRecursively(clonedObject)
			
			clonedObject.Parent = viewport
		end
	end
	
	-- Additional viewport properties for better rendering
	viewport.ImageTransparency = 0
	viewport.BackgroundTransparency = 1
	
	-- Force refresh the viewport
	task.wait()
	
	return viewport
end

-- Alternative method with more lighting control
function SnapService:TakeScreenShotEnhanced(camera: Camera, customLightDirection: Vector3?): ViewportFrame
	local viewport = Instance.new("ViewportFrame")
	viewport.CurrentCamera = camera
	
	local lighting = game:GetService('Lighting')

	-- --- More Comprehensive Lighting Setup ---
	viewport.Ambient = lighting.OutdoorAmbient or lighting.Ambient
	
	-- Use custom light direction if provided, otherwise use sun direction
	if customLightDirection then
		viewport.LightDirection = customLightDirection.Unit
	else
		viewport.LightDirection = lighting:GetSunDirection()
	end
	
	-- Set a bright white light color for better visibility
	viewport.LightColor = Color3.fromRGB(255, 255, 255)

	-- --- Clone All Lighting Effects ---
	for _, lightObject in lighting:GetChildren() do
		if lightObject:IsA("Atmosphere") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Bloom") or
		   lightObject:IsA("ColorCorrection") or
		   lightObject:IsA("DepthOfField") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Fog") or
		   lightObject:IsA("SunRays") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Sky") or
		   lightObject:IsA("BlurEffect") or
		   lightObject:IsA("BloomEffect") then
			local clonedLight = lightObject:Clone()
			clonedLight.Parent = viewport
		end
	end

	-- --- Enhanced Object Cloning ---
	for _, v in pairs(workspace:GetChildren()) do
		if not v.Archivable then
			v.Archivable = true
		end

		if v:IsA("Model") or v:IsA("Folder") or v:IsA("BasePart") or v:IsA("UnionOperation") then
			if v:IsA('Terrain') then
				continue
			end

			local clonedObject = v:Clone()
			task.spawn(removeScripts, clonedObject)
			
			-- Enhanced shadow and lighting setup
			enableShadowsRecursively(clonedObject)
			
			clonedObject.Parent = viewport
		end
	end
	
	-- Viewport rendering properties
	viewport.ImageTransparency = 0
	viewport.BackgroundTransparency = 1
	
	-- Additional properties that can help with rendering quality
	if viewport:FindFirstChild("ImageLabel") then
		viewport.ImageLabel.ImageTransparency = 0
	end
	
	return viewport
end

return SnapService

Created TakeScreenShotEnhanced() that allows custom light direction and has more comprehensive lighting setup

function SnapService:TakeScreenShotEnhanced(camera: Camera, customLightDirection: Vector3?): ViewportFrame
	local viewport = Instance.new("ViewportFrame")
	viewport.CurrentCamera = camera
	
	local lighting = game:GetService('Lighting')

	-- --- More Comprehensive Lighting Setup ---
	viewport.Ambient = lighting.OutdoorAmbient or lighting.Ambient
	
	-- Use custom light direction if provided, otherwise use sun direction
	if customLightDirection then
		viewport.LightDirection = customLightDirection.Unit
	else
		viewport.LightDirection = lighting:GetSunDirection()
	end
	
	-- Set a bright white light color for better visibility
	viewport.LightColor = Color3.fromRGB(255, 255, 255)

	-- --- Clone All Lighting Effects ---
	for _, lightObject in lighting:GetChildren() do
		if lightObject:IsA("Atmosphere") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Bloom") or
		   lightObject:IsA("ColorCorrection") or
		   lightObject:IsA("DepthOfField") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Fog") or
		   lightObject:IsA("SunRays") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Sky") or
		   lightObject:IsA("BlurEffect") or
		   lightObject:IsA("BloomEffect") then
			local clonedLight = lightObject:Clone()
			clonedLight.Parent = viewport
		end
	end

	-- --- Enhanced Object Cloning ---
	for _, v in pairs(workspace:GetChildren()) do
		if not v.Archivable then
			v.Archivable = true
		end

		if v:IsA("Model") or v:IsA("Folder") or v:IsA("BasePart") or v:IsA("UnionOperation") then
			if v:IsA('Terrain') then
				continue
			end

			local clonedObject = v:Clone()
			task.spawn(removeScripts, clonedObject)
			
			-- Enhanced shadow and lighting setup
			enableShadowsRecursively(clonedObject)
			
			clonedObject.Parent = viewport
		end
	end
	
	-- Viewport rendering properties
	viewport.ImageTransparency = 0
	viewport.BackgroundTransparency = 1
	
	-- Additional properties that can help with rendering quality
	if viewport:FindFirstChild("ImageLabel") then
		viewport.ImageLabel.ImageTransparency = 0
	end
	
	return viewport
end

Shadow Supported: Added enableShadowsRecursively() function that ensures all BaseParts have CastShadow = true.
Light Color: Added proper light color setup with bright white light for better visibility.
Force Refresh: Added a small wait to ensure the viewport renders properly

If theres any issues, please add some details to make it understandable

Or Copy this one with prints and warns!:

--// THIS SHOULD BE THE OUTPUT!
📸 Starting screenshot capture...
Camera position: 10, 50, 10
💡 Setting up lighting...
Ambient color set to: 135, 135, 135
✨ Cloned 3 lighting effects
🌍 Cloning workspace objects...
Enabled shadows for 15/20 parts in PlayerModel
📦 Cloned 8 objects, skipped 3
✅ Screenshot capture complete!

HERES THE FULL-SCRIPT!:

local SnapService = {}

type Camera = Instance
type ViewportFrame = Instance
type BasePart = Instance
type UnionOperation = Instance

local function removeScripts(instance: Instance)
	for _, child in instance:GetChildren() do
		if child:IsA("BaseScript") then
			print("Removing script:", child:GetFullName())
			child:Destroy()
		else
			task.spawn(removeScripts, child)
		end
	end
end

local function enableShadowsRecursively(instance: Instance)
	local shadowsEnabled = 0
	local totalParts = 0
	
	local function enableForInstance(inst: Instance)
		-- Enable shadows for all parts
		if inst:IsA("BasePart") then
			totalParts += 1
			if inst.CastShadow ~= true then
				inst.CastShadow = true
				shadowsEnabled += 1
			end
		end
		
		for _, child in inst:GetChildren() do
			enableForInstance(child)
		end
	end
	
	enableForInstance(instance)
	
	if totalParts > 0 then
		print(string.format("Enabled shadows for %d/%d parts in %s", shadowsEnabled, totalParts, instance.Name))
	end
end

function SnapService:TakeScreenShot(camera: Camera): ViewportFrame
	print("📸 Starting screenshot capture...")
	
	if not camera then
		warn("❌ Camera is nil!")
		return nil
	end
	
	print("Camera position:", camera.CFrame.Position)
	print("Camera looking at:", camera.CFrame.LookVector)
	
	local viewport = Instance.new("ViewportFrame")
	viewport.CurrentCamera = camera
	
	local lighting = game:GetService('Lighting')
	print("💡 Setting up lighting...")

	-- --- Enhanced Lighting Properties ---
	-- Ambient lighting
	viewport.Ambient = lighting.OutdoorAmbient or lighting.Ambient
	print("Ambient color set to:", viewport.Ambient)
	
	-- Light direction: Use the actual sun direction without transformation
	-- ViewportFrame expects world-space direction, not camera-relative
	local sunDirection = lighting:GetSunDirection()
	viewport.LightDirection = sunDirection
	print("Sun direction:", sunDirection)
	
	-- Light color - this is crucial for proper lighting
	viewport.LightColor = lighting.SunAngularSize > 0 and lighting.SunSize or Color3.fromRGB(255, 255, 255)
	print("Light color:", viewport.LightColor)

	-- --- Clone Lighting Objects ---
	local lightingEffectsCloned = 0
	for _, lightObject in lighting:GetChildren() do
		if lightObject:IsA("Atmosphere") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Bloom") or
		   lightObject:IsA("ColorCorrection") or
		   lightObject:IsA("DepthOfField") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Fog") or
		   lightObject:IsA("SunRays") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Sky") then
			local clonedLight = lightObject:Clone()
			clonedLight.Parent = viewport
			lightingEffectsCloned += 1
			print("Cloned lighting effect:", lightObject.ClassName)
		end
	end
	print(string.format("✨ Cloned %d lighting effects", lightingEffectsCloned))

	-- --- Clone Workspace Objects with Shadow Support ---
	print("🌍 Cloning workspace objects...")
	local objectsCloned = 0
	local objectsSkipped = 0
	
	for _, v in pairs(workspace:GetChildren()) do
		if not v.Archivable then
			warn("Making object archivable:", v.Name)
			v.Archivable = true
		end

		if v:IsA("Model") or v:IsA("Folder") or v:IsA("BasePart") or v:IsA("UnionOperation") then
			if v:IsA('Terrain') then
				print("Skipping Terrain")
				objectsSkipped += 1
				continue
			end

			local success, clonedObject = pcall(function()
				return v:Clone()
			end)
			
			if not success then
				warn("Failed to clone object:", v.Name, "Error:", clonedObject)
				objectsSkipped += 1
				continue
			end
			
			print("Cloning object:", v.Name, "Type:", v.ClassName)
			task.spawn(removeScripts, clonedObject)
			
			-- Enable shadows for all parts in the cloned object
			enableShadowsRecursively(clonedObject)
			
			clonedObject.Parent = viewport
			objectsCloned += 1
		else
			objectsSkipped += 1
		end
	end
	
	print(string.format("📦 Cloned %d objects, skipped %d", objectsCloned, objectsSkipped))
	
	-- Additional viewport properties for better rendering
	viewport.ImageTransparency = 0
	viewport.BackgroundTransparency = 1
	print("🎨 Viewport properties configured")
	
	-- Force refresh the viewport
	print("⏳ Waiting for viewport to render...")
	task.wait()
	
	print("✅ Screenshot capture complete!")
	return viewport
end

-- Alternative method with more lighting control
function SnapService:TakeScreenShotEnhanced(camera: Camera, customLightDirection: Vector3?): ViewportFrame
	print("🚀 Starting enhanced screenshot capture...")
	
	if not camera then
		warn("❌ Camera is nil!")
		return nil
	end
	
	print("Camera CFrame:", camera.CFrame)
	if customLightDirection then
		print("Using custom light direction:", customLightDirection)
	end
	
	local viewport = Instance.new("ViewportFrame")
	viewport.CurrentCamera = camera
	
	local lighting = game:GetService('Lighting')
	print("💡 Enhanced lighting setup...")

	-- --- More Comprehensive Lighting Setup ---
	viewport.Ambient = lighting.OutdoorAmbient or lighting.Ambient
	print("Ambient lighting:", viewport.Ambient)
	
	-- Use custom light direction if provided, otherwise use sun direction
	if customLightDirection then
		viewport.LightDirection = customLightDirection.Unit
		print("Custom light direction applied:", viewport.LightDirection)
	else
		viewport.LightDirection = lighting:GetSunDirection()
		print("Sun direction applied:", viewport.LightDirection)
	end
	
	-- Set a bright white light color for better visibility
	viewport.LightColor = Color3.fromRGB(255, 255, 255)
	print("Light color set to white")

	-- --- Clone All Lighting Effects ---
	local enhancedEffectsCloned = 0
	for _, lightObject in lighting:GetChildren() do
		if lightObject:IsA("Atmosphere") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Bloom") or
		   lightObject:IsA("ColorCorrection") or
		   lightObject:IsA("DepthOfField") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Fog") or
		   lightObject:IsA("SunRays") or
		   lightObject:IsA("Sky") or
		   lightObject:IsA("BlurEffect") or
		   lightObject:IsA("BloomEffect") then
			local clonedLight = lightObject:Clone()
			clonedLight.Parent = viewport
			enhancedEffectsCloned += 1
			print("Enhanced lighting effect cloned:", lightObject.ClassName)
		end
	end
	print(string.format("✨ Enhanced cloning: %d lighting effects", enhancedEffectsCloned))

	-- --- Enhanced Object Cloning ---
	print("🌍 Enhanced workspace cloning...")
	local enhancedObjectsCloned = 0
	local enhancedObjectsFailed = 0
	
	for _, v in pairs(workspace:GetChildren()) do
		if not v.Archivable then
			warn("Setting archivable for:", v.Name)
			v.Archivable = true
		end

		if v:IsA("Model") or v:IsA("Folder") or v:IsA("BasePart") or v:IsA("UnionOperation") then
			if v:IsA('Terrain') then
				print("Skipping Terrain in enhanced mode")
				continue
			end

			local success, result = pcall(function()
				local clonedObject = v:Clone()
				task.spawn(removeScripts, clonedObject)
				
				-- Enhanced shadow and lighting setup
				enableShadowsRecursively(clonedObject)
				
				clonedObject.Parent = viewport
				return clonedObject
			end)
			
			if success then
				print("Enhanced clone successful:", v.Name)
				enhancedObjectsCloned += 1
			else
				warn("Enhanced clone failed for:", v.Name, "Error:", result)
				enhancedObjectsFailed += 1
			end
		end
	end
	
	print(string.format("📦 Enhanced cloning complete: %d successful, %d failed", enhancedObjectsCloned, enhancedObjectsFailed))
	
	-- Viewport rendering properties
	viewport.ImageTransparency = 0
	viewport.BackgroundTransparency = 1
	print("🎨 Enhanced viewport properties configured")
	
	-- Additional properties that can help with rendering quality
	if viewport:FindFirstChild("ImageLabel") then
		viewport.ImageLabel.ImageTransparency = 0
		print("ImageLabel transparency set")
	end
	
	print("⏳ Enhanced rendering wait...")
	task.wait()
	
	print("✅ Enhanced screenshot capture complete!")
	return viewport
end

return SnapService

RBuilderman100 · May 25, 2025, 2:38pm

And screenshot the output or on Developer Console by pressing F9 on your keybroad to open!.

SnowBoy12766 · May 25, 2025, 2:42pm

Same results.

Here’s the output ig

jellolemo · May 25, 2025, 2:44pm

This is impossible, viewports will always look ugly so low end devices can keep up.

jellolemo · May 25, 2025, 2:45pm

And this feels like chat-gpt, might be wrong though, but why would you add emojis.

1kaelen1 · May 25, 2025, 2:46pm

viewport.LightDirection = -lighting:GetSunDirection()

should probably make it slightly better

SnowBoy12766 · May 25, 2025, 2:46pm

That’s what I’m thinking.
If i would use chatgpt it would do the same thing as he did

jellolemo · May 25, 2025, 2:47pm

Why do you want to use viewports anyway they cant rly look good.

SnowBoy12766 · May 25, 2025, 2:48pm

If there are any alternatives that’s fine to me

jellolemo · May 25, 2025, 2:49pm

Depends on what you want to achieve, so tell me please.

SnowBoy12766 · May 25, 2025, 2:51pm

I’m trying to achieve screenshot quality if possible.

jellolemo · May 25, 2025, 2:53pm

Then you could just clone everything in the workspace and move it far away

jellolemo · May 25, 2025, 2:56pm

if you want to datastore it becomes a little more complex though but i can help witht that