Light Linker — Documentation

Overview

Light Linker streamlines Blender’s light linking workflow.
Instead of manually assigning collections and repeatedly adjusting links, Light Linker lets you:

1. Select an object

2. Add a linked light

3. Get reliable, contained lighting control

No extra setup, no messy hierarchies — just focus on lighting your shots.

Table of Contents

1. Installation

2. Getting Started

3. How It Works

4. UI & Controls

5. Workflow Examples

6. Best Practices

7. Troubleshooting

8. FAQ (Short)

9. Version History

1. Installation

Via Blender Add-on Installer:

1. Download light_linker.zip.

2. In Blender: Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install…

3. Select the light_linker.zip.

4. Enable the add-on.

5. Save Preferences if desired.

No dependencies. Works with Blender builds that support native light linking.

2. Getting Started

Once installed:

1. Select an object you want to light.

2. In the Light Linker panel, click “Add Linked Light”.

3. Choose a light type (Point, Spot, Area, Sun).

4. The new light is linked so it affects only the selected object.

That’s it.

3. How It Works

Blender’s native light linking requires manually placing objects into collections and linking lights to target collections. Light Linker:

• Creates a dedicated collection per object if needed

• Links new lights to only affect the chosen object

• Keeps your scene clean and predictable

It does not override Blender’s system, it organizes it behind the scenes.

4. UI & Controls

Light Linker Panel

Location: View3D → Sidebar (N) → Light Linker Tab

If no object is selected, controls will be disabled.

5. Workflow Examples

Standard Lighting Pass

1. Select a character mesh.

2. Add a Spot light via Light Linker.

3. Adjust light intensity/angle.

4. Select environment prop.

5. Add a separate light — no spill between them.

Lookdev Workflow

1. Create lights per object or group.

2. Toggle visibility to isolate lighting setups quickly for color/contrast tests.

6. Best Practices

• Name your lights clearly — e.g., LL_Linked_Head_Spot

• Use linked lights for characters or specific set pieces to avoid unintended illumination.

• Light Linker speeds review rounds — rapid A/B lighting without setup headaches.

7. Troubleshooting

Light Linker buttons are greyed out

• Make sure an object is selected (mesh, curve, etc.).

• Lights and cameras cannot be linked to themselves.

Light affects more than the selected object

• Blender’s native light linking is mode-specific: check Cycles vs Eevee settings.

• If a light was manually relinked outside the addon, restore it using the addon UI.

Collections look messy

Light Linker creates named collections only when necessary. You can still rename or reorganize them — Blender handles the links by internal ID, not collection name.

8. FAQ (Condensed)

Q: Do I need technical lighting knowledge?
No — it’s point-and-click. Familiarity with Blender’s lights is enough.

Q: Does it change Blender’s core functionality?
No. It uses Blender’s native light linking.

Q: Can I edit the links manually afterward?
Yes. Everything remains editable using Blender’s built-in tools.

9. Version History

v1.0.0 — Initial Release

• Core linking workflow

• Light type selector

• Clean UI panel

(Future versions might include batch linking, presets, and collection management tools. Stay tuned.)

Appendix

Keyboard Shortcuts

(None by default — easy integration with custom keymaps supported.)

Compatibility

Tested on Blender versions that support native light linking (Cycles).