Troubleshooting & FAQ
Find solutions to common performance questions, setup issues, and general lighting configuration queries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is "No Shader Preview Rendered" showing in the list?
Generate the preview by clicking the File Refresh button
next to the material path in the manager interface. Previews are not compiled automatically for standard parameter inputs.
Q: Why is my Mesh Light / Emissive object missing from the list?
Verify if the object has been marked as an emissive object within the addon interface. By default, for performance reasons, the addon does not automatically scan all scene materials in real-time, so this marking must be done manually in some cases. Also, ensure the mesh name or material name matches your configured filter keywords (such as glow or emit) in the Addon Preferences.
Q: How are Custom Presets persistent across Blender updates?
Custom presets are saved outside of the addon directory in Blender's persistent configuration path (.../config/scene_light_manager/presets/). This ensures your rigs are safe and preserved even when updating or reinstalling the addon.
Q: Why are the SLM gizmos/Smart Buttons not showing up?
Ensure that Blender's global Show Gizmos toggle (icon in the top-right header of the 3D Viewport) is turned on. Also, verify that a supported Light object (Area, Spot, Point, or Sun) is actively selected.
Performance & Setup Troubleshooting
Viewport Lag during Slider Tweak
If adjusting exposure or colors causes micro-stuttering, ensure Cycles GPU is set as the active Preview Render Engine in Addon Preferences. Cycles performs asynchronous background renders, whereas EEVEE compiles shaders synchronously on Blender's main thread, causing frames to drop.
Shading Artifacts on Texture Maps
Ensure your working color space is configured correctly. Working in color spaces other than linear (such as sRGB on non-color maps) can distort normal outputs and shadow orientations. If necessary, use the diagnostics panel to reset mapping coordinates.
Light and Shadow Linking does not show viewport outlines
To display the highlight/outline effect on linked objects in the 3D viewport, make sure the checkbox option Highlight Linked/Blockers in viewport is turned on in the addon interface. Modern Blender versions support light and shadow linking under both EEVEE and Cycles rendering engines.
The HDRI Rotation Shortcut conflicts with viewport navigation
If the default Ctrl + Alt + RMB shortcut clashes with other custom plugins or your native OS navigation, you can rebind it under Edit > Preferences > Keymap (search for Scene Light Manager), or adjust the environment angle using the slider in the unified sidebar's World tab.
Still Need Help?
If you couldn't find an answer here, feel free to report bug issues directly on GitHub or contact support via email.