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Want to use HDR to light scene and for the background image...going for soft shadows. The object is not on a surface but I want to create shadows that make the object appear to be grounded - using Cinema and MW -- thought about using a shadow catcher -- not sure if that is the technique or is there a better one?

jvm

Shadow Catcher/Channel and composite in post is the only technique.

Best,
Jason.

I haven't worked with this in a while...what is throwing me is that the shadow needs to be cast on a surface so I can pick out the shadow and discard the rest of the surface and composite against the background so it appears grounded. I really want a transparent surface that only picks up where the shadows are cast on it and the rest remains transparent -- isn't that reasonable

There have been many wishes related to it -- you can add your voice to any of them you think is an appropriate fit to what you would like the feature to look like... perhaps this is a good fit: http://www.maxwellrender.com/forum/view ... 57#p255757

Best,
Jason.

jvanmetre wrote: I really want a transparent surface that only picks up where the shadows are cast on it and the rest remains transparent -- isn't that reasonable

isn't that what a multiply blend on the shadow channel gives?

jvanmetre wrote:the shadow needs to be cast on a surface so I can pick out the shadow and discard the rest of the surface and composite against the background so it appears grounded. I really want a transparent surface that only picks up where the shadows are cast on it and the rest remains transparent -- isn't that reasonable

It doesn't need to be transparent, but you can invert the shadow channel and use that as a mask if you really want to make it transparent.

I'm seeing soft shadows on the surface i've created but when I select the shadow channel in the render viewport, I'm not seeing anything. Is that a function of it taking longer to render the shadows and it just hasn't been long enough or is there a problem with trying to generate shadows with a background HDR or both?

my oversight...forgot to check "shadow" in the material. seems to be working.

jvanmetre wrote:I haven't worked with this in a while...what is throwing me is that the shadow needs to be cast on a surface so I can pick out the shadow and discard the rest of the surface and composite against the background so it appears grounded. I really want a transparent surface that only picks up where the shadows are cast on it and the rest remains transparent -- isn't that reasonable

Just hide the plane to the camera, you'll get the render without the plane but still get the shadow pass.

Mihai-

I came to that realization as well...although your suggestion has been around for a while, just thought I'd add in that this latest release and the plugin updates really kicks a**.

Cheers!