How to use an object as a light source?

[Ajani]

I want to create some tube lights that cast shadows correctly, Is there an easy way in Max to make an object like a cyllinder into a light source? and the Mr area omni cyllinder is having problems making the shadows look realistic. They're not smooth enough and take forever to render.

 

[Aurelius]

Hi Ajani,
Try by putting a glow shader in the surface slot of your material ( in the mental ray connection rollout) and enable final gathering.
Regards,