A GUIDE TO DYNAMIC LIGHTING Are your maps failing to render dynamic lighting? If so, you may be using an abundance of unoptimized pieces causing stress on the lighting engine. I've found a way for you to be smarter and more efficient with you piece usage to maintain desired lighting effects. Below is an extensive list weighing structural objects from all 3 forge environments. The monetary values allow you to equivalently exchange the pieces with another, just like trading. For example, 5 Struts are equivalent to 20 Blocks on average. This makes Struts very heavy in terms of processing lighting effects and makes Blocks quite friendly as you can use 4 times as many of them to produce the lighting effects you want. In the context of the monetary values established here, each forge canvas has an invisible Dynamic Lighting budget of $11,575. If you go over this limit, lighting effects for your map will be disabled. TOTAL INVISIBLE BUDGET FOR EACH FORGE MAP: $11,575 RAVINE Spoiler RAVINE $5 – ARTIFACT BASE $100 – BASE 1 $100 – BASE 2, LEFT $100 – BASE 2, RIGHT $100 – BRIDGE WALL $100 – CATWALK 1 $100 – CATWALK LIP BUILDING BLOCKS $25 – BLOCK, 1X1 $2 – BLOCK, 1X1, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 1X1, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 1X1, TALL $25 – BLOCK, 1X1, TALL AND THIN $25 – BLOCK, 1X2 $25 – BLOCK, 1X4 $25 – BLOCK, 2X1 FLAT $2 – BLOCK, 2X2 $25 – BLOCK 2X2, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 2X2, SHORT $2 – BLOCK, 2X2, TALL $25 – BLOCK, 2X3 $25 – BLOCK, 2X4 $25 – BLOCK, 3X1, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 3X3 $25 – BLOCK, 3X3, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 3X3, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 3X3, TALL $2 – BLOCK, 3X4 $25 – BLOCK, 4X4 $2 – BLOCK, 4X4, FLAT $2 – BLOCK, 4X4, SHORT $100 – BLOCK, 4X4 TALL $25 – BLOCK, 5X1, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 5X5, FLAT BRIDGES AND PLATFORMS $25 – BRIDGE, SMALL $2 – BRIDGE, MEDIUM $25 – BRIDGE, LARGE $2 – BRIDGE, XLARGE $25 – BRIDGE, DIAGONAL $25 – BRIDGE, DIAG, SMALL $100 – DISH $100 – DISH, OPEN $25 – CORNER, 45 DEGREES $25 – CORNER, 2X2 $25 – CORNER, 4X4 $25 – LANDING PAD $25 – PLATFORM, RAMPED $100 – PLATFORM, LARGE $100 – PLATFORM, XLARGE $25 – CYLINDER, LARGE $25 – Y CROSS $25 – Y CROSS, LARGE $100 – SNIPER NEST BUILDINGS $5 – BUNKER, SMALL $5 – BUNKER, SMALL, COVERED $5 – BUNKER, BOX $100 – BUNKER, ROUND $5 – BUNKER, RAMP $5 – PYRAMID $5 – TOWER, 2 STORY $100 – TOWER, 3 STORY $100 – TOWER, TALL $100 – ROOM, DOUBLE $5 – ROOM, TRIPLE DECORATIVE $4 – ANTENNA, SMALL $100 – ANTENNA, SATELLITE $25 – BRACE $25 – BRACE, LARGE $100 – BRACE, TUNNEL $25 – COLUMN $25 – COVER $25 – COVER, CRENELLATION $25 – COVER, GLASS $25 – RAILING, SMALL $25 – RAILING, MEDIUM $100 – RAILING, LONG $100 – TELEPORTER FRAME $100 – STRUT $100 – LARGE WALKWAY COVER DOORS, WINDOWS, AND WALLS $2 – DOOR $25 – DOOR, DOUBLE $25 – WINDOW $25 – WINDOW, DOUBLE $25 – WALL $25 – WALL, DOUBLE $25 – WALL, CORNER $2 – WALL, CURVED $25 – WALL, COLISEUM $100 – WINDOW, COLISEUM $25 – TUNNEL, SHORT $100 – TUNNEL, LONG INCLINES $1 – BANK, 1X1 $1 – BANK, 1X2 $1 – BANK, 2X1 $1 – BANK, 2X2 $1 – RAMP, 1X2 $1 – RAMP, 1X2, SHALLOW $1 – RAMP, 2X2 $1 – RAMP, 2X2, STEEP $100 – RAMP, CIRCULAR, SMALL $100 – RAMP, CIRCULAR, LARGE $25 – RAMP, BRIDGE, SMALL $25 – RAMP, BRIDGE, MEDIUM $25 – RAMP, BRIDGE, LARGE $2.3 – RAMP, XL $25 – RAMP, STUNT NATURAL $25 – ROCK 1 $25 – ROCK 2 $25 – ROCK 3 $25 – ROCK 4 IMPACT Spoiler IMPACT $25 – STATION CONSOLE $1 – STATION, CORE $100 – STATION, CORRIDOR $25 – STATION, RAMP $1 – STATION, 90 $25 – STATION, 45 $25 – STATION, 4 WAY LRG CAP $25 – STATION, 4 WAY LRG $100 – STATION, 4 WAY $100 – STATION, T $100 – STATION, AIRLOCK $25 – STATION, TRANSITION $100 – STATION, DOOR JAM $100 – STATION, DOOR JAM 2 $1 – STATION, AIRLOCK, SML $100 – UNSC TOWER $100 – UNSC 2 STORY $25 – UNSC 1 STORY $100 – SILO 1 $100 – SILO 2 $25 – SILO 2, CLOSED $25 – SILO 3 $1 – CENTRAL FLOOR CAP BUILDING BLOCKS $25 – BLOCK, 1X1 $2 – BLOCK, 1X1 FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 1X1, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 1X1, TALL $25 – BLOCK, 1X1, TALL AND THIN $25 – BLOCK, 1X2 $25 – BLOCK, 1X4 $25 – BLOCK, 2X1 FLAT $2 – BLOCK, 2X2 $25 – BLOCK, 2X2, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 2X2, SHORT $2 – BLOCK, 2X2, TALL $25 – BLOCK, 2X3 $25 – BLOCK, 2X4 $25 – BLOCK, 3X1, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 3X3 $25 – BLOCK, 3X3, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 3X3, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 3X3, TALL $2 – BLOCK, 3X4 $25 – BLOCK, 4X4 $2 – BLOCK, 4X4, FLAT $2 – BLOCK, 4X4, SHORT $100 – BLOCK, 4X4, TALL $25 – BLOCK, 5X1, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 5X5 FLAT BRIDGES AND PLATFORMS $25 – BRIDGE, SMALL $2 – BRIDGE, MEDIUM $25 – BRIDGE, LARGE $2 – BRIDGE, XLARGE $25 – BRIDGE, DIAGONAL $25 – BRIDGE, DIAG, SMALL $100 – DISH $100 – DISH, OPEN $25 – CORNER, 45 DEGREES $25 – CORNER, 2X2 $25 – CORNER, 4X4 $25 – LANDING PAD $25 – PLATFORM, RAMPED $100 – PLATFORM, LARGE $100 – PLATFORM, XLARGE $25 – CYLINDER, LARGE $25 – Y CROSS $25 – Y CROSS, LARGE $100 – SNIPER NEST $25 – STAIRCASE $100 – WALKWAY, LARGE BUILDINGS $5 – BUNKER, SMALL $5 – MAX – BUNKER, SMALL, COVERED $5 – BUNKER, BOX $100 – BUNKER, ROUND $5 – BUNKER, RAMP $5 – PYRAMID $5 – TOWER, 2 STORY $100 – TOWER, 3 STORY $100 – TOWER, TALL $100 – ROOM, DOUBLE $5 – ROOM, TRIPLE DECORATIVE $4 – ANTENNA, SMALL $100 – ANTENNA, SATELLITE $25 – BRACE $25 – BRACE, LARGE $100 – BRACE, TUNNEL $25 – COLUMN $25 – COVER $25 – COVER, CRENELLATION $25 – COVER, GLASS $25 – RAILING, SMALL $25 – RAILING, MEDIUM $100 – RAILING, LONG $100 – TELEPORTER FRAME $100 – STRUT $100 – LARGE WALKWAY COVER DOORS, WINDOWS, AND WALLS $2 – DOOR $25 – DOOR, DOUBLE $25 – WINDOW $25 – WINDOW, DOUBLE $25 – WALL $25 – WALL, DOUBLE $25 – WALL, CORNER $2 – WALL, CURVED $25 – WALL, COLISEUM $100 – WINDOW, COLISEUM $25 – TUNNEL, SHORT $100 – TUNNEL, LONG INCLINES $2 – BANK, 1X1 $2 – BANK, 1X2 $2 – BANK, 2X1 $2 – BANK, 2X2 $2 – RAMP, 1X2 $2 – RAMP, 1X2, SHALLOW $2 – RAMP, 2X2 $2 – RAMP, 2X2, STEEP $100 – RAMP, CIRCULAR, SMALL $100 – RAMP, CIRCULAR, LARGE $25 – RAMP, BRIDGE, SMALL $25 – RAMP, BRIDGE, MEDIUM $25 – RAMP, BRIDGE, LARGE $2 – RAMP, XL $25 – RAMP, STUNT NATURAL $1 – ROCK, SMALL $1 – ROCK, FLAT $1 – ROCK, MEDIUM 1 $1 – ROCK, MEDIUM 2 $1 – ROCK, SPIRE 1 $1 – ROCK SPIRE 2 $1 – ROCK SEASTACK EROSION Spoiler EROSION $25 – PIPE, 1X2 $2 – PIPE, 45 $2 – PIPE, CROSS $2 – PIPE, CURVED $2 – PIPE, END $2 – PIPE, SLANTED $2 – PIPE, Y BUILDING BLOCKS $25 – BLOCK, 1X1 $2 – BLOCK, 1X1, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 1X1, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 1X1, TALL $25 – BLOCK, 1X1, TALL AND THIN $25 – BLOCK, 1X2 $2 – BLOCK, 1X4 $25 – BLOCK, 2X1, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 2X2 $25 – BLOCK, 2X2, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 2X2, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 2X2, TALL $25 – BLOCK, 2X3 $25 – BLOCK, 2X4 $25 – BLOCK, 3X1, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 3X3 $25 – BLOCK, 3X3, FLAT $25 – BLOCK, 3X3 SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 3X3, TALL $25 – BLOCK, 3X4 $25 – BLOCK, 4X4 $25 – BLOCK, 4X4, FLAT $100 – BLOCK, 4X4, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 4X4, TALL $25 – BLOCK, 5X1, SHORT $25 – BLOCK, 5X5, FLAT BRIDGES AND PLATFORMS $25 – BRIDGE, SMALL $25 – BRIDGE, MEDIUM $25 – BRIDGE, LARGE $25 – BRIDGE, XLARGE $25 – BRIDGE, DIAGONAL $25 – BRIDGE, DIAG, SMALL $25 – DISH $25 – DISH, OPEN $2 – CORNER 45 DEGREES $25 – CORNER, 2X2 $2 – CORNER, 4X4 $25 – LANDING PAD $25 – PLATFORM, RAMPED $100 – PLATFORM, LARGE $100 – PLATFORM, XLARGE $100 – CYLINDER, LARGE $25 – Y CROSS $25 – Y CROSS, LARGE $100 – SNIPER NEST $100 – STAIRCASE $100 – WALKWAY, LARGE BUILDINGS $5 – BUNKER, SMALL $100 – BUNKER, SMALL, COVERED $5 – BUNKER, BOX $100 – BUNKER, ROUND $5 – BUNKER, RAMP $5 – PYRAMID $100 – TOWER, 2 STORY $100 – TOWER, 3 STORY $100 – TOWER, TALL $100 – ROOM, DOUBLE $100 – ROOM, TRIPLE DECORATIVE $4 – ANTENNA, SMALL $25 – ANTENNA, SATELLITE $100 – BRACE $100 – BRACE, LARGE $100 – BRACE, TUNNEL $25 – COLUMN $25 – COVER $25 – COVER, CRENELLATION $25 – COVER, GLASS $25 – RAILING, SMALL $25 – RAILING, MEDIUM $100 – RAILING, LONG $100 – TELEPORTER FRAME $100 – STRUT $100 – LARGE WALKWAY COVER DOORS, WINDOWS, AND WALLS $25 – DOOR $25 – DOOR, DOUBLE $25 – WINDOW $25 – WINDOW, DOUBLE $25 – WALL $25 – WALL, DOUBLE $25 – WALL, CORNER $25 – WALL, CURVED $100 – WALL, COLISEUM $100 – WINDOW, COLISEUM $25 – TUNNEL, SHORT $25 – TUNNEL, LONG INCLINES $1 – BANK, 1X1 $1 – BANK 1X2 $1 – BANK, 2X1 $1 – BANK 2X2 $1 – RAMP, 1X2 $1 – RAMP, 1X2, SHALLOW $1 – RAMP, 2X2 $1 – RAMP, 2X2, STEEP $100 – RAMP, CIRCULAR, SMALL $100 – RAMP, CIRCULAR, LARGE $25 – RAMP, BRIDGE, SMALL $1 – RAMP, BRIDGE, MEDIUM $25 – RAMP, BRIDGE, LARGE $25 – RAMP, XL $25 – RAMP, STUNT NATURAL $1 – ROCK, FLAT $1 – ROCK, MEDIUM 1 $1 – ROCK, MEDIUM 2 $25 – ROCK, SEASTACK $1 – ROCK, SMALL $1 – ROCK, SPIRE 1 $1 – ROCK, SPIRE 2 I've found that the three canvases are equal in terms of dynamic lighting capacity; each map can light 463 neutral pieces. The only difference is how cumbersome the pieces are. For example, the coliseum walls and brace large's on EROSION are very heavy and are used the most, which is why we've experienced the problem more frequently on that canvas.
These are trade in values. The "MAX" is to let people know that they can spawn as many as their object count restrictions allow and are deemed very safe. I wasn't able to put precise numerical values on all of the objects because of the object count restrictions, simply can't spawn enough of them to plug into the multiplier. For example, I know that the value of "Door" is greater than 1000 but don't have an exact number so i just put "MAX". People won't be able to spawn more than the count restriction anyway. 1 STRUT weighs as much as 4 BLOCK's for processing. I know this looks a little confusing...should I arrange these items with $ values?
what might be easier, is have a set max, say 500 pieces, and place parts until the dynamic lighting gives out, that way you could set a dynamic lighting resource "budget"
Thank you very much ! This is very useful for building a big map, knowing which object is better to use.
How did you come up with precise values like this? Is it all practical testing? If so, then A. that must have been tedious as hell, and B. thank you thank you thank you. I do think dollar values would make a lot more sense at a glance - it took me three read-throughs to understand how these numbers function.
I think that you should do the Dynamic lighting budget for each canvas. Of all of the options, I think that's the best. I know that means that a lot more work will need to be put into it, but I have confidence that you could do it! This list is very helpful, and I hope that Youtubers like Ducain or THFE will be able to popularize this thread. This is a serious bug, but you have empowered the community a way to bypass it. +10 Cookies.
It was kind of like Minesweeper, I found the location of one of the bombs by cross-comparing maps that had lighting problems to maps that functioned properly. When I became sure that "struts" were bombs, I was able to pull the rest of them out through some extensive testing. I'll re-arrange all of this with a simpler format ($budget), just need to collect more data on IMPACT. Hopefully Silent Jack can work out a nice layout in the meantime. I've found that the three canvases are equal in terms of dynamic lighting capacity. The only difference is how cumbersome the pieces are. For example, the coliseum walls and brace large's on EROSION are very heavy and are used the most, which is why we've experienced the problem more frequently on that canvas.
Whoo, this is great. Sad day for Erosion, though. And impact Station maps. Thanks for putting this all together. Sticky please?
I noticed this last night too... thought I might be the first to post about it darn you! kidding... I noticed that on Impact, the silos can easily cause your map to abandon dynamic lighting if you use too many. And it seems to be any item that has lots of polygons, as you have said. I substituted some pieces and it restored the mroe impressive lighting. If you are placing objects and it takes a long time to generate lighting, that means you're getting close to the limit, no matter what your budget actually says. if suddenly the light generation seems instantaneous, the piece you just placed is the culprit, but there could be others you swap to solve the problem, if you must keep that piece. this really does force us to be very delliberate and creative about how we forge on larger maps. I think this also points to this being a true game limitation that 343i probably won't be able to fix. I think we're stuck with it so this type of education will be crucial for people. One sort of "fix" they could apply would be to make the high poly pieces cost more budget to place, and that way it would be much less likely to cause an unsuspecting new forger to fumble through this issue.
Well, damn. I had a feeling that Coliseum walls were a problem. As it is, a C-wall is around 10 blocks long, and 8 block wide. It would take 4 5x5-flats to cover the same area. That is too much material. So, if I need to build a notably large, flat surface, but don't want to use too much material, what is the best alternative to a Coliseum Wall? Anyone got some ideas?
When forging on EROSION, there's no good alternative if you're throwing down floors. Use them, just monitor the rest of your pieces and refer to the list. Using four 5x5 blocks take up the same amount of "lighting" budget.
Thank you for this! I have a question... If you go over this and your lighting gets disabled but you go over the map and replace "heavy" blocks with less costly ones will your lighting come back?
Yes. The light generation failure happens when it does its "GENERATING LIGHTING" thang; if you're over the poly limit it will fail, and if not it will work properly. So going over doesn't permanently break the map. It's just like fixing framerate or disco problems, in essence.