Can anybody explain this odd shadow-casting problem I experience consistently? When the figure is placed on the floor, the shadows cut off. If I raise the figure a few inches, the shadow of the foot is there. It happens with both types of lights. I have tried a wide range of settings, always resulting in this unacceptable shadow.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12356&Form.ShowMessage=1059682

zoom-in the light's shadowcam More details on what's happening at the link above

Also to note: the light in the scene is from the setting sun... behind her and to the right. Shadows should match scene light sources. Carolly

Nance, I tried the ShadowCam zoom change, with zero change in the shadow clipping. Another source of help said ECM (EMC?) conflicts could cause this. I was able to get a proper shadow by moving the LS closer to the model. Carolly, I was not too concerned about getting the science correct at this point. The shadow clipping was apparent with the LS where it was, so I rendered and posted. If I was finished with it, it would be in a gallery or delivered to the intended source. I may not even use that particular BG pic on the Cyc. thanks for the suggestions, -fritz

Glad you got the result you wanted as that's what counts, but to master the shadow effects it may help to understand that the shadows are generated from the shadowmaps, which are created from the view from the shadowcams that are parented to the lights. By moving the light, you simply moved the shadowcam, which is what actually changed your shadow. Had you wanted, you could have just moved the shadowcam and left the light alone assuming it was already where you wanted it. The thread mentioned above also explains Poser's often annoying auto-readjustment of the shadowcams which, I would suspect, is the reason you did not see a change the first time you tried it.

Thanks Nance, I will go over that entire process again. Using Poser for 3 years, and have never used or understood the Shadow-Cams. You have enlightened me (en-shadowed??) with some important knowledge. There is always so much more to learn. The lights in Poser are the toughest aspect of it, for me.

I don't know why but sometimes putting a Poser square under the figure below the GROUND plain can fix the shadows.

I am using the DAZ Cyclorama prop, which is similar. Here is the result of moving the light.

I appreciate all the help. Someday I will have total control of these lights!

?? - Well whaddya know. That's a new one for me Les. Have to go try that out.

Much better all around and we all learned something.