How do I create a Alpha mask in Carrara? No matter what output option I try, I can't seem to get the mask buffer from being grayed out.I need to do a mask for post rendering. Thanx in advance

Did you try to render in Photoshop 2.5 format ? It works with me . litst

Not on this end.Are there any certain settings to get it to be allowed to be selected in the render room or elsewhere? This has me really perplexed.

Well, see if it works : create a new scene, go to the render room and change the output file format to Photoshop 2.5 or Photopaint or GIF or Targa or TIFF With those formats, i can check the mask in the G-buffers . Can you ? Are you on PC or Mac ? litst

I'm on a Mac. Nope no can do. The only time I get the option is in a Photoshop 2.5 sequenced image, not a single frame mode.(Which is what I need)

That's strange ... Sorry, i'm on PC so i won't be of any help . I assume you have the patched version ? litst

Yup!

Here is how to engage the Alpha Mask on a Mac: (Antoine said that this was one of the stupidest bugs in Carrara) Render Room>File format>select the "movie" radio button>from the file format pull down menu, select "Sequenced Photoshop 2.5">open G-Buffer section At this point all of the options should be available including Mask. Once selected, you can go back and change the file format options to what you want and the Mask G-Buffer will remain selected. Mark

That did the trick! Thanks!

On this note any way to make obects with transparencies cast shadows correctly? When I do it the transparent part of the object casts full shadows, I coudl turn of shadows but hen teh obaque parts do not cast shadows. Another dumb bug

Hi Hokusai, To make transparent objects cast shadows correctly, don't forget to enable "light through transparency" in the render options . Also, it doesn't work with soft shadows :( . Hope this helps ! litst