Global Light in CS4 3D Extended

Question

O.K., I imported a photo, selected 3D from the Menu then selected "New Shape from Layer" then "Sphere" and my image is wrapped nicely around the sphere. But the image is too dark. If I try to use a brightness layer or levels to brighten it up, then I no longer have any control over 3D animation of this object. So next I investigate the various 3D lighting options. Point or Spot - too focused, Infinite leaves shadows which for this particular purpose I don't want. I just want a nice even light over the entire sphere. It seems like "Global" light would be the obvious choice but the choice is greyed out....  Any suggestions would be welcome.
I find the "help" in Photoshop less than really useful. Help generally tells me that "you can use "X" to do "Y" but never gets around to telling you how to use "X". Adobe could certainly use some good technical writers!
Thanks,
Lin

Answer 1

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the followup! I'm not at all certain any more exactly which term I used for the search. I didn't actually know what the "widget" was called, but eventually discovered that name on the web while searching for Photoshop CS4 Extended 3D Tools, I believe. I still didn't realize that it was called the "Axis Widget," but of course that makes perfect sense. I believe once I discovered that it was called a "widget" that I used that term for my search and eventually discovered the fact that if OpenGL wasn't enabled that one couldn't see this widget. Then I began a search to try and discover how to enable OpenGL. Once I found that (in the reference link I posted in the other response), I was able to see and use the Axis Widget.
I suspected that the greyed out "Global" light might be a mistake but wasn't able to find enough information in Photoshop Help to actually determine that for certain.
Obviously, 3D is new for Photoshop and there will be bugs and issues. I do believe that it represents viable new features which will greatly expand the functionality and usefulness of Photoshop in the future. There are bound to be many questions about the various tools, especially for those who do not have a strong background in 3D. I think that's why it's important for Adobe to perhaps issue an additional guide including a glossary of terms which would be ever so helpful for those who search the Photoshop help. Just knowing what to call various tools will help a great deal. I find that when writing software documentation and user guides, I get the best user response when I begin with a comprehensive glossary with web links to definitions. Also, for help, I believe it's very important to give practical samples of how to use features. I'm certain you already know this; but just saying "you can use the (tool name) to (tool function)" without telling the user how to find and select the tool and how to apply it in a practical example, is fairly usless. With complex features such as Photoshop has, it's vital to good customer relationships to minimize confusion.
This forum has been very useful and I commend Adobe for this type help. Unfortunately, there are numerous Photoshop users who really are not aware that there even is a forum. Those of us who are reasonably web savy tend to forget that many users don't have our background and unless they are specifically directed (perhaps on the trial download page) and reminded, they simply give up in frustration when they can't get adequate help otherwise. I realize there is probably little that can be done about the use of tier one off-shore support because everyone in the electronics and computer industry is doing it, but having access to tier two when the tier one support falls short is important. The additional costs to Adobe will be offset by increased customer satisfaction and better sales will eventually offset the initial losses. A number of Photoshop users have long been a bit "miffed" at Adobe for some of their policies such as bundling the RAW converters and leaving those who paid for the stand-alone versions without an upgrade path without purchasing another version of Photoshop, or buying Elements just to get the converter, etc. Good customer relations are paramount for the bottom line of any business.
I commend you for your efforts to help here on the forum - it's definitely ameliorated an otherwise bad experience for me.
Best regards,
Lin