Spotlights not working

[ChrisHekman]

I think that I have fixed this issue. It will be part of the next build.

[TGeldard]

What was the issue? Is there anything I can do about it now?

[ChrisHekman]

What was the issue? Is there anything I can do about it now?

Spotlights are implemented as IES lights. Basically, the plugin generates an ies file that has the same spotlight "shape" as the unreal spotlight.
This ies file is then saved by the plugin to a temp folder, and then loaded by octane as a ies light distribution.
In the upcomming build I changed it so that plugin will directly create a light distribution, skipping the ies file saving/loading.
I always wanted to remove this IES file loading/saving sillyness, because it is bad engineering, but it was never a priority until now.

I suspect there is something going on where the saving and loading of the IES file is not working on your machine. Most likely due to write access rights to the temp folder.
You can check if the files are being created trying to locate the tempfolder.

On windows the tempfolder is:
%USERPROFILE%/Appdata/Local/Temp/UE4IESFiles"
Which is "C:/Users/user/Appdata/Local/Temp/UE4IESFiles" on my machine.
You can check yours by typing in %userprofile% in windows file explorer and look into the appdata/local for the temp folder.

On mac it is:
TMPDIR
(echo $TMPDIR to find out where this is)

[TGeldard]

Hi Chris,

I had a look into the folder and it would appear you were right. I haven't tested to see if this resolves the issue in UE4, but my system was denying write access as you suggested. I have changed it, and will be testing it today. I will update with the results.

Thanks,

Tim

[ChrisHekman]

Hi Chris,

I had a look into the folder and it would appear you were right. I haven't tested to see if this resolves the issue in UE4, but my system was denying write access as you suggested. I have changed it, and will be testing it today. I will update with the results.

Thanks,

Tim

Should now be fixed in the new build.
viewtopic.php?f=132&p=399956#p399956

[TGeldard]

Thanks Chris. Have to say, I’m impressed by the bug resolution from you guys with these kinds of issues.

Have a great day!

Tim

[TGeldard]

Hi Chris,

Spotlights are now working inside UE4, however when I export to ORBX and open in standalone (2020.2.3) the spotlights have not converted, and do not work. Any suggestions for how to fix this?

Tim

[ChrisHekman]

Hi Chris,

Spotlights are now working inside UE4, however when I export to ORBX and open in standalone (2020.2.3) the spotlights have not converted, and do not work. Any suggestions for how to fix this?

Tim

Ill check it out.
Are you usuing the sequencer ORBX exporter? or the static ORBX exporter (the option next to the import orbx in the main toolbar?)

[TGeldard]

Hey Chris,

I'm using the static exporter. The graph editor is identical in UE4 and Standalone, but it only works in UE4. All lights are there, same as in UE4, but they emit no light. I've expanded the node, and connected both black body and texture emission, and there is no reult.

Tim

[TGeldard]

Hi Chris,

Just following up on this. This issue is happening with my whole team, and we are unable to resolve it. Is there something I can send you to make it easier?

Tim