SurfaceLight Extent of Light Transmission

Hey All,

I have a question about how the inherent properties of the SurfaceLight. As seen in the image below, I’ve attached the SurfaceLight to the red part, seen at the top of the inside of this machine. The light is facing the bottom. It’s the only light source in the machine, yet it is illuminating the bottom area and all around the sides. My question is why does the light seems to ignore the surrounding walls, shining through walls to the bottom area and even the outside areas around the machine? I expected the light would only illuminate the box area it’s in and shine a bit through the plastic window at the front. Is there a way to better contain the light within an area, like light behaves in reality?

I tried changing the material of the machine from plastic to metal and I change the light from a SurfaceLight to a PointLight. The same issue is present, as seen in this updated photo.

I dont think you can get what you want right now, if you turn on Future lighting with a pointlight then it works but Future is in beta, so until its out of beta you cant get it to just be in the one area

It’s because surface lights don’t cast shadows. The shadow property is there but it doesn’t actually work. You’d need to use a spotlight or a pointlight for shadows.