Hi, I've only been working with P5 for about 10 days, so bear with me, please. I've searched the manual and searched the forum for an answer to this question, but I'm not finding definitive information. I want to add a texture to the ground plane of my images so that the ground plane shadows will render. I thought I followed the instructions I did find in the manual correctly, but it still doesn't work. Is there a definitive tutorial, or is there someone who could explain the process to me step-by-step? I appreciate any assistance you might be able to provide! Thanks, Ricardo

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?Form.ShowMessage=1676872http://

Ricardo, The way you apply the background color and texture changed after the last update to Poser 5. Instructions are in the ReadMe file which is included in the attached forum message on this topic. I'm still trying to get it to work right! pigfish

Thanks for trying, pigfish, but that link just took me back to the forums front page.

You might find some help HERE. See Page 5.

cheers,
dr geep
;=]

Message edited on: 05/27/2004 14:40

Doc, Thanks so much! I'll give it a whirl and post the results tomorrow! You rock! ;^) Ricardo

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?Form.ShowMessage=1676872

this is the pigfish link as it should be.

Thanks xantor, I always forget about the default http:// in the URL field.

I tried your method, Doc, and it didn't change anything. I still can't render ground shadows. I even have the "cast shadows" box checked. Another tutorial that someone suggested via PM says that the ground shadows are simply guides and WILL NOT render, and that separate shadow files have to be made on transparencies (???) and inserted into the file. I am using a background image in my poser file, so I can't replace the background, I am just trying to get shadows to display on the ground plane. If you want, I'll do a screencap for you of my material room after I got the thing set up, just to make sure I did it right. thanks, ricardo

Thank you very much for the clarification, Doc! Unfortunately, it didn't work in either Firefly or Poser 4 Render. I checked my light settings and even added the depth map shadows to another light in the set to make sure. I can't imagine what I'm doing wrong. Ricardo

Are you trying to get the ground shadow to be the same rendered as unrendered? If so, you will have to place the light directly over the figure's head. The ground shadows in the view mode are independent of your light settings--they are just a guide which helps to tell if the figure is standing on the ground or floating above it. The rendered shadows will be calculated based on the settings of your lights.

Attached Link: http://www.runtimedna.com/messages.ez?forum_id=28&Form.ShowMessage=76990

If you are using a background image as opposed to a textured prop, then you will be unable to cast shadows onto the background picture directly. There is a way to get shadows onto your background picture in Poser5, that is by applying the shader in the link I've posted to the ground plane. One other thing, do you actually have the ground plane enabled? You could also try applying your picture to something like the Infinity cove prop in the freebie section at www.runtimedna.com and that way shadows would be cast onto the ground.

Doc, the shadow lites are in the list. Raven, I don't know what you mean by having the ground plane "enabled." I downloaded some free sets and floors and I'm going to try that next. Thanks, guys! Ricardo

Ok ... that worked! I still don't know how to "enable" a ground plane, unless it's to add a floor prop ... but ... finally! Here's a thumbnail, and you can see the full-sized image in my gallery (the image name is Rafael).

Message edited on: 05/29/2004 15:41

What I found, and it was a bit of a puzzle at first, is that the ground plane in Poser 5 defaults to invisible, which makes it awkward to select to make visible. You need to explote the two menues under the working display. Being able to turn visibility off and on can minimise a lot of problems, especially if a body part pokes through clothing.