Ok, discounting either ghosts in my machine or divine intervention, and wanting my church to be lit pretty well only by the lights shining through the cool stained glass (thanks Yves!)... there's this light that seems to be on the altar. The walls are pale, is it reflection? All other lights are removed, so the altar area should be dark unless I have the lights on for the stained glass behind the altar, right? Is there a default light that never goes off, or a light that keeps being recreated in the Chor view--one that takes exception to being deleted?

Seana

Show us a render and wireframe. Would love to see it.

Are you using Volumetrics / Radiosity?

If yes I think you will find that with Volumetrics light shines through one single mesh whereas with two layers of mesh it won't.

There is a good reason for this double layer mesh requirement... I just can't think of it at the moment.

This may or may not be your problem so sharing pics and/or project files might be a good thing.

Rodney

You really need to post a render for us to do an intelligent diagnostoc.

From your description, the first thing that comes to my mind is ambiance. Make sure that your surface "Ambiance" setting is set to 0% on all your models, groups and material attribute nodes.

thanks, ambiance it was, and a rogue fill light (in one instance) that has been banished to the outer darkness.

Will post soon, promise.

S.