Element: Star Caustic

This diamond-shaped element is useful for simulating reflections caused by reflective coatings. You will notice that the default values cause a barely visible green shape. Its controls are similar to those of the Elliptical Caustic element though their shape is different.

Position

Sets the location of the Star Caustic element. The position is always along a line that passes through both the center of the image and the light source. Alternately, you can click inside the Preview Window and reposition the element with the cursor crosshair.

A value of 1 sets the element at a light source. A value of 0 sets the element in the center of the composition frame. A value of -1 sets the element on the opposite side of the frame from the light source.

When the diamond is at the center of your composition frame, it is faded out. As you move its position towards the edges of the frame, the diamond becomes solid. You can increase the Brightness parameter so that the diamond stays solid.

Brightness

Sets the brightness of the diamond. High values make the diamond brighter. Low values make the diamond less bright and more transparent.

Scale

Sets the size of the diamond. High values make the diamond larger.

At left, Brightness set high, Scale set low.
At right, Brightness set low, Scale set high.

Anamorphic checkbox

Use this to create a wide elliptical element or a circular elliptical element. Turned off by default. When the checkbox is checkmarked, the Spike Ball is elliptical. This simulates a common aspect of using anamorphic lenses in cinematography in which light reflections in the lens appear elliptical. When the checkbox is off, the element is round, since light reflections appear round in spherical cinematography.

Color

Sets the color of the Star Caustic. Default color is green.