How do I get blurry shadows on a raytraced spotlight in Poser 7?  I read a thread recently that you should split the light into more than one light so that the raytracing does it properly, but..

What parameter do I dial to get the shadows to blur in the first place?

I really don't like sharp shadows ever, especially in a portrait, but I can't seem to do away with them.

Thank you.

Indi.

This is the lighting setup I usually start with:
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/rrfilelock/download.php?fileid=33527&key=8122

Hmm... yes.. Thanks.

I don't seem to get a blurred shadow.  I think I've set it up to 10 before.  Is there a distance factor as well?

Let me try again, and perhaps post an image.

Be aware that with only one light, your shadows will typically look "dirty" because one light doesn't provide enough samples to do blurred shadows well.  You can get much nicer shadows if you're willing to accept longer render times, by adding more lights in a small area, simulating an area light:

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?message_id=3173583&ebot_calc_page#message_3173583

Quote - Be aware that with only one light, your shadows will typically look "dirty" because one light doesn't provide enough samples to do blurred shadows well.  You can get much nicer shadows if you're willing to accept longer render times, by adding more lights in a small area, simulating an area light:

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?message_id=3173583&ebot_calc_page#message_3173583

Thank you.  I got some blur by moving the spotlight closer to the model, so I guess that distance does play a role.

I had read your other thread before, and I appreciate the link.  I just couldn't get any blur at all to show up, so now I can deal with the "dirty" part.

Thank you!

Indi.

Very well :)

Also, don't forget to turn on Gamma Correction.
DPH

Quote - Be aware that with only one light, your shadows will typically look "dirty" because one light doesn't provide enough samples to do blurred shadows well.  You can get much nicer shadows if you're willing to accept longer render times, by adding more lights in a small area, simulating an area light:

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?message_id=3173583&ebot_calc_page#message_3173583

for soft blury raytraced shadows you need to have 0,2 shading rate. in close ups you will still have some pixels.

please SM give us an area light.

Quote - Also, don't forget to turn on Gamma Correction.
DPH

Thank you.  How do I do that without Poser Pro?  Is this a materials issue or a light issue?

Indi.

Quote - > Quote - Be aware that with only one light, your shadows will typically look "dirty" because one light doesn't provide enough samples to do blurred shadows well.  You can get much nicer shadows if you're willing to accept longer render times, by adding more lights in a small area, simulating an area light:

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?message_id=3173583&ebot_calc_page#message_3173583

for soft blury raytraced shadows you need to have 0,2 shading rate. in close ups you will still have some pixels.

please SM give us an area light.

Exactly 0.2?  No more, no less?  And thanks.

Indi.

lower shading rate will give you better shadows. 0,2 is the lowest . you could go 0 but you must change every figure and every prop.

Quote - lower shading rate will give you better shadows. 0,2 is the lowest . you could go 0 but you must change every figure and every prop.

Are you saying we should lower the shadow blur radius circled uptop to 0.2? You said "shading rate". That is the shading right correct?

No, he's talking about a different setting from what you're talking about - Min Shading Rate (both render setting, and set on each actor in a scene) vs. Shadow Blur Radius/Shadow Min Bias. 

Lowering the Minimum Shading Rate (among other things) helps make procedural textures appear smoother, and also can help improve texture clarity.  The default setting is OK for speed, not OK for quality.

Ok, I've found it.  On M4, though, the setting is on body parts, not the whole body.  Can I set it in the hip and will it cascade down the hierarchy?

We'll see how this goes.   Thank you again.

thats the problem. every figure has a default setting of 0,2.
if you wan to change it you need to change it for every body part. thats a lot of work.
i think 0.2 is good enough.

It just got good enough :)

Thanks.