3D Lighting Reference

Interactive 3D Lighting Reference for Artists

This tool lets you orbit, zoom and pan around any 3D model while adjusting key light azimuth, elevation, distance and intensity in real time. Change fill and rim light colour and intensity independently. Toggle shadows, wireframe, neutral material mode and the ground plane. Six lighting presets cover the foundational setups: Rembrandt, split, butterfly, rim only, top-down and horror under-light.

Built-in models are grouped by category — Heads, Bodies, Animals and more — and each is loaded only when selected to keep the page fast. All models are CC-licensed assets, with attribution displayed in the lower-left overlay while each is active. The model list is filtered live as you type in the search box above the selector.

You can load your own sculpt or any 3D model in GLB, GLTF or OBJ format. The file is processed entirely in your browser using the FileReader API — nothing is sent to any server. Use this to study lighting setups for portraits, figure out how Rembrandt triangles form, study body shadow shapes for figure drawing, or reference animal anatomy lighting while painting.

Built at Impheim as a free tool for the art community. More tools for TTRPG game masters and players are available in the Impheim Tool Workshop.