Adding Dynamic Lighting Effects with SVG Filters

SVG filters aren't just about blurs — they can simulate light, shadow, and depth directly in your code. Using primitives like and, you can create UI elements and visuals that respond to light in a surprisingly realistic way. Step 1: Create a Lighting Filter Let’s define a lighting filter that simulates a light source casting soft highlights: This adds soft, directional lighting based on the elevation and azimuth of the light source. Step 2: Apply the Filter to an SVG Element You can now apply this filter to an SVG shape like a button or icon: The rectangle now appears lit from a virtual source, with depth and highlight. Step 3: Customize the Light Source Want a sharper highlight? Switch from diffuse lighting to specular: This gives a more metallic, glossy effect — perfect for UI buttons, knobs, or glassy elements. ✅ Pros and ❌ Cons of SVG Lighting Effects ✅ Pros:

May 7, 2025 - 03:16
 0
Adding Dynamic Lighting Effects with SVG Filters

SVG filters aren't just about blurs — they can simulate light, shadow, and depth directly in your code. Using primitives like and, you can create UI elements and visuals that respond to light in a surprisingly realistic way.

Step 1: Create a Lighting Filter

Let’s define a lighting filter that simulates a light source casting soft highlights:


  
    
      
    
    
  

This adds soft, directional lighting based on the elevation and azimuth of the light source.

Step 2: Apply the Filter to an SVG Element

You can now apply this filter to an SVG shape like a button or icon:


  

The rectangle now appears lit from a virtual source, with depth and highlight.

Step 3: Customize the Light Source

Want a sharper highlight? Switch from diffuse lighting to specular:


  

This gives a more metallic, glossy effect — perfect for UI buttons, knobs, or glassy elements.

✅ Pros and ❌ Cons of SVG Lighting Effects

✅ Pros: