..    TODO/Review: {{review|im=examples}}.

************
Introduction
************

The *Area* lamp simulates light originating from a surface (or surface-like)
emitter. For example, a TV screen, your supermarket's neon lamps, a window,
or a cloudy sky are just a few types of area lamp. The area lamp produces shadows with soft
borders by sampling a lamp along a grid the size of which is defined by the user.
This is in direct contrast to point-like artificial lights which produce sharp borders.

.. figure:: /images/lighting-lamps-area-com_options.png
   :width: 308px

   Commons Options.


Lamp options
============

Distance, Energy and Color
   These settings are common to most types of lamps,
   and are described in :doc:`Light Properties </render/blender_render/lighting/lights/lamp_panel>`.

   Note that the *Distance* setting is much more sensitive and important for *Area* lamps than for others;
   usually any objects within the range of *Distance* will be blown out and overexposed.
   For best results, set the *Distance* to just below the distance to the object that you want to illuminate.
Gamma
   Amount to gamma correct the brightness of illumination. Higher values give more contrast and shorter falloff.

   The *Area* lamp does not have light falloff settings. It uses an "inverse quadratic" attenuation law.
   The only way to control its falloff is to use the *Distance* and/or *Gamma* settings.
This Layer Only, Negative, Specular and Diffuse
   These settings control what the lamp affects,
   as described in :ref:`What Light Affects <bi-lamp-influence>`.


Shadows
=======

Area light ray-traced shadows are described here:
:doc:`Raytraced Shadows </render/blender_render/lighting/lamps/area/raytraced_shadows>`.

When an *Area* light source is selected,
the *Shadow* panel has the following default layout:


.. list-table::
   The *Shadow* panel when *Area* light source is selected.

   * - .. figure:: /images/lighting-lamps-area-adap_qmc.jpg
          :width: 320px

          Adaptive QMC settings.

     - .. figure:: /images/lighting-lamps-area-cont_jitt.png
          :width: 320px

          Constant Jittered settings.


Area Shape
==========

The shape of the area light can be set to *Square* or *Rectangle*.

.. list-table::

   * - .. figure:: /images/lighting-lamps-area-square.png
          :width: 308px

          Square options.

     - .. figure:: /images/lighting-lamps-area-rect.png
          :width: 308px

          Rectangle options.


Square / Rectangular
   Emit light from either a square or a rectangular area
Size / Size X / Size Y
   Dimensions for the *Square* or *Rectangle*

.. note:: Shape Tips

   Choosing the appropriate shape for your *Area* light will enhance the believability of your scene.
   For example, you may have an indoor scene and would like to simulate light entering through a window.
   You could place a *Rectangular* area lamp in a window (vertical) or from neons (horizontal)
   with proper ratios for *Size X* and *Size Y*. For the simulation of the light emitted by a
   TV screen a vertical *Square* area lamp would be better in most cases.