use background shader

Introduction to Maya - Modeling Fundamentals Vol 2

This course will look in the fundamentals of modeling in Maya with an emphasis on creating good topology. It's aimed at people that have some modeling experience in Maya but are having trouble with complex objects.

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# 1 23-08-2011 , 01:38 PM

rm3d
Join Date: May 2008

Location: northern ireland

Posts: 184

hey guys a quick question, i like doing matchmoving stuff, but is "use background shader" the best way to add shadows under objects? its just when i use it, i tend to be able to see a faint line or edge where the poly plane i am using to apply the shader to, ends and the actual background takes over (usually its slightly darker where the poly plane is). is it just that i haven't set it up correctly?

the more I Think I know about Maya the less I seem to know about it.

check me out www.rm3d.co.uk

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# 2 23-08-2011 , 03:55 PM

Technical Director
Join Date: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,988

Try scaling up the plane, so you don't get shadows ending.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

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# 3 23-08-2011 , 04:44 PM

The Nurb Herd
Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: London

Posts: 2,381

sounds like you are using final gather and its bounce light.

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# 4 23-08-2011 , 05:22 PM

rm3d
Join Date: May 2008

Location: northern ireland

Posts: 184

yea honest i am and i noticed that was the problem, if i turned of receive final gather cast on the poly plane it solved the issue, except that the shadow is a lot weaker.

and yea nextdesign thats defiantly the easiest way out user added image

i was just hoping there would be another way for those times that scaling the plane isn't practical

are there different shaders to achieve the same effect?

the more I Think I know about Maya the less I seem to know about it.

check me out www.rm3d.co.uk

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# 5 23-08-2011 , 05:49 PM

The Nurb Herd
Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: London

Posts: 2,381

have you thought about not using FG. it will render quicker, not flicker and you wont have this problem with bounce light.

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# 6 23-08-2011 , 09:57 PM

Technical Director
Join Date: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,988

are there different shaders to achieve the same effect?

Originally Posted by chilledoutredhead

There is a Mentalray specific one actually, mip_matteshadow. You can read more about it here: https://www.mentalimages.com/fileadmi...production.pdf starting on page 38 (Matte Objects and Catching Shadows)

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

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