Is there a way to soften ray trace shadows when using infinite lighs. I'd like the background shadow in this render to be softer

Render P5 Firefly Production using HyperReal Shader

Another look

Soft raytraced shadows aren't supported in Poser currently. You might try using a shadow map instead, set to a high map size, with a little bit of blur.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?Form.ShowMessage=2076958&Form.sess_id=28016685&Form.sess_key

yep, what Maxx said, but you can get various grades of edge just with the map setting alone. I've been working to exhaustion on controlling qualities of shadow maps. For instance, attached link. ::::: Opera :::::

blinks eyes Was that a Vickie with a normal-sized chest, or was that my imagination?

My best advise to date... If you want eye reflections but not the hard shadows... Raytrace infinite light; shadow=0.0001 default on the rest (rayTrace spot same) Put one shadowmap spot in front (3-4 pu, away); shadow=1.000 Map+1024.00 Control it with bias = 0.550...lower/darker...guessing on distance) And/or.. Angle start=50.00 Angle end=160.00 Dist Start=1.00 Dist End=4.00 +/-...increase will send shadowzone further If you don't care about reflections (eyes have it only), turn off RayTrace in renderoptions. Saves you some loadtime

now this is interesting. I've been wanting to ask about eye relections. Richardson, you are so advanced that your shorthand usually goes over my head. please unpack if you would. are you saying (for a two-light scene) put one shadowmap spot in front of the models face aimed at the eyes with the settings shadow=1.000 Map+1024.00 bias = 0.550...lower/darker...guessing on distance) Angle start=50.00 Angle end=160.00 Dist Start=1.00 Dist End=4.00 +/-... AND then put one Raytrace infinite in the scene, shadow 0.001? [[what do you mean "default on the rest (rayTrace spot same)"?]] Thanks for your help, i really want to understand. ::::: Opera ::::

Shadow map lights with a very low map size setting give a very good diffuse shadows effect.

Message edited on: 01/20/2005 20:01

Opera,

A one finger typer with no time...

Yes+ No...For HIS scene, I meant to change his primary RTrace to a dead shadow (0.0001)if he wants reflects.

You don't have to use RayTrace shadows...they suck! But you can use Reflect and Refract functions without the shadows... (0.0001) on shadow defangs it.

I should add...if you don't want RayTrace anything, then covert it or pitch it or turn it off.

The nice blurrable shadows you get with shadowmap spots. See above my previos post^

What RayTrace does well...Use a RayTrace (full power) to penetrate all the transmaps in a portrait, like in photo attached...to cast an eyelash or hair prop strands (some do have them). Regular spots cannot do this. There are tech threads explaing why...

What Ray Trace cannot do...cast a soft blurred edge shadow. Do that with a shadowmap light.

Wish I had the Geep touch...lol

Message edited on: 01/20/2005 21:30

Here's the RayTrace problem... I changed it to a stained glass shader. As you can see, it's there, or it's not there. A one pixel blur edge!!! Never mind the falloff over her face... The neck tells all. Nothing fixes it. This is why ceba wants to soften it. But he can't. He can change to shadowmaps or use a clever combo (above post). But then, there is face_off, stewer, ajax, ronstuff and a few crackers, hackers....maybe. lol

aah you mean the method used here? - http://www.caligari.com/news/news_june2004/tipsandtricks.html - mixing 2 infinate lights, 1 Raytracing the shadows, 1 shadowmapping. I think the technique can be adapted to Poser5 quite easily. (the 2nd part I think is optional. (I treat it that way in tS) or could be made using spotlights instead)

Khai, Got a dead link.

okay, I am going to experiment with this over the weekend. I remember reading about this on some other thread. Put two lights in the same spot, one shadow, one RT. I will continue to "unpack" your syntax and look for other pertinent threads. I really want eyes that glow. I've got to learn the shader nodes better. ::::: Opera :::::

Attached Link: http://www.caligari.com/news/news_june2004/tipsandtricks.html

strange.. it works here ok..

trying again edit - tested and works here.. if not, goto www.caligari.com then news / newsletter / June 04 / tips and tricks

Message edited on: 01/20/2005 23:27

Attached Link: http://www.caligari.com/news/news_june2004/tipsandtricks.html

Caligari link working and a cool clear tutorial.

Click on link attached.

::::: Opera :::::

Message edited on: 01/20/2005 23:27

Xpost! you owe me a coke! ;)

Ditto on using 1 RT + 1 SM light, or as I do, 2 SM lights, one with a high res shadow and another with low res. Like Richardson said above, use a RT light if you need to get better shadows from transmaps (shadowmaps do: 0.00-0.49=clear, 0.50+ = opaque).

Wow thank you so much everyone, way more information then I figured on getting, now to digest and apply..

SARTE - "blinks eyes Was that a Vickie with a normal-sized chest, or was that my imagination? " If your ref my two images at the top - this is V3 with my stefany body and face changes - still working on the face not happy with it.. (besides does'nt look like stefany) ceba

Ceba, Glad you got some fuel. Remember lights have to be developed like a character...when you get something you like, save the lights to your light library. click all subsets 1st. Khai, Same deal. And you can continue to drop RT shadow until it works for your scene. It's the most powerful light (in poser) with the biggest problem. It's unblurrable. Opera, "glowing eyes" , teeth, mouth and ears are my downfall. I know what you mean (with shaders), but the downside of sm spots are they leak light like a sob and give you those probs.