Atmospheric Sun Rotation Shortcut
Hold Ctrl + L and move the mouse to rotate the atmosphere sun light directly in the level viewport.
The rotation of the Atmosphere Sun Light can be easily modified by holding Ctrl + L and moving the mouse around the level viewport. This is an extremely beneficial shortcut for lighting artists trying to set the mood.
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl + L + Mouse Move | Rotates the atmosphere light with index 0, usually the sun |
Ctrl + Shift + L + Mouse Move | Rotates the atmosphere light with index 1, such as a moon |
Moving the mouse left and right spins the light around the world’s up axis, and moving it up and down changes its height in the sky. A small gizmo in front of the camera shows the light direction, and it stays visible for about 3 seconds after you let go.
How do I set up the light?
Select the Directional Light and enable Atmosphere Sun Light under the Atmosphere and Cloud section of the Details panel.
To control a second light with Ctrl + Shift + L, set its Atmosphere Sun Light Index to 1. This property sits in the section’s advanced options.
Frequently asked questions
What if multiple lights share the same index?
The shortcut picks one of them, and it isn’t reliably the brightest. It’s ideal to keep one atmosphere light per index.
Can I undo the rotation?
Yes. Each hold of the shortcut is a single undo step, so Ctrl + Z puts the light back.
Why did my viewport switch to real-time?
The viewport switches to real-time while you hold the shortcut, then returns to its previous setting when you let go.
Does it work on macOS?
Yes, use Cmd + L in place of Ctrl + L.
Can I rebind the shortcut?
The shortcut is fixed to the level viewport and is missing from the Keyboard Shortcuts list, so Ctrl + L is the only option.
Links
Check out the following resources to learn more about the subject.
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