Lighting experience design in virtual environments

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.10.018

Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)

2025, Vol. 59

Issue (10): 2175-2185 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.10.018

Lighting experience design in virtual environments

Ning ZOU1,3,4(

),Zhipeng HOU2,5,Yiwei CHAI3,Wenqi KONG3,Bo ZHAO2,5,Qing GONG4,Qiang FANG5

1. College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310007, China
2. Shaanxi Aircraft Industry Limited Company, Hanzhong 723200, China
3. School of Software Technology, Zhejiang University, Ningbo 315100, China
4. Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314102, China
5. School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310030, China

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Abstract

The impact of lighting on user operations and visual perception was studied in virtual reality (VR) environments, particularly in scenarios requiring fine motor tasks. Different lighting conditions were simulated in a VR environment, testing the users’ perception accuracy of virtual objects by adjusting light intensity, color temperature, and lighting angles, to enhance users’ interaction experience and cognitive efficiency in virtual settings. The graphical analysis and detail extraction of operational objects were carried out to optimize lighting design in virtual environments and create a more realistic virtual space, which guided the development of virtual lighting environments and the interaction design in the VR environment. In 3D scene design, experiments were conducted to show the positive role of lighting in enhancing the visual effects of digital exhibits and the user interaction experiences, arguing the advantages of lighting as an interactive medium for detailed presentation in terms of immersion and focus. The results indicate that specific lighting combinations (such as higher intensity, neutral color temperature, and 45-degree side lighting) can significantly enhance users’ operational accuracy and detail recognition capabilities, while effectively improving immersion and task focus.

Key words： virtual reality lighting perception lighting design interaction design guided recognition

Received: 30 August 2024 Published: 27 October 2025

CLC:

TP 393

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	Ning ZOU
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Cite this article:

Ning ZOU,Zhipeng HOU,Yiwei CHAI,Wenqi KONG,Bo ZHAO,Qing GONG,Qiang FANG. Lighting experience design in virtual environments. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2025, 59(10): 2175-2185.

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https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.10.018 OR https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2025/V59/I10/2175

虚拟环境下的光照体验设计

在虚拟现实（VR）环境下，特别是精细作业场景中，研究照明对用户操作和视觉感知的影响. 在VR环境中模拟不同光照条件，通过控制光照强度、色温和照明角度测试用户对于虚拟物体的感知精度变化，提升虚拟环境中用户的交互体验和认知效率. 在虚拟光照实验中，进行操作对象的图形分析和细节提取以优化虚拟环境中的照明设计方案，使虚拟环境更加真实，进一步指导虚拟光照环境的搭建与VR环境中的交互设计. 在三维场景设计中，通过实验表明照明在增强数字展品的视觉效果和用户交互体验中的积极作用，论证光照作为互动媒介进行细节展示在沉浸感、专注度方面的优势. 结果表明，特定的光照组合（如较高强度、中性色温、侧向45°照明）能显著提升用户的操作精度和细节辨识能力，有效增强沉浸感与任务专注度.

关键词： 虚拟现实, 照明感知, 照明设计, 交互设计, 引导识别

Fig.1 User response processes under illumination stimuli

Fig.2 Illumination effect of large items

Fig.3 Three-point lighting layout

Fig.4 Schematic diagrams of bronze models

Fig.5 Interactive interface of light intensity and color temperature in virtual environment

Fig.6 Interactive interface of lighting angles in virtual environment

Fig.7 Lighting layout of three-point lighting

Fig.8 Interactive experimental environment of virtual museum lighting

Fig.9 Explanation of partial image data acquisition for lighting effects

Fig.10 Box plot of light intensity and 95% confidence interval for mean light intensity on target subject

Fig.11 Box plot of color temperature and 95% confidence interval for mean color temperature on target subject

Fig.12 Numerical change of main light adjustment range on target subject

Fig.13 Adjustment of lighting angle scheme

Fig.14 Graphic and textual display boards in museum

Fig.15 Display mode of subject guided by illumination

Fig.16 Patterns of bronze model

Fig.17 Box plot of response times for pattern recognition

Fig.18 Correspondence between user experience and interaction tasks in virtual environments

Fig.19 Flowchart of interaction tack in virtual scene

Fig.20 Interactive dynamic lighting angles in virtual scene

Fig.21 Pattern map display in virtual scene

Fig.22 Animation keyframes of bronze casting process

Fig.23 Secondary menu for task simulation

Fig.24 Texture production and model effect display

Fig.25 Interactive icons of process demonstrations


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