I have a question for those who use Carrara to composite 3d and images or video.

Are there ways to catch reflections and lights as well as shadows?

I'd like to use the item in the image I have, but I would like to composite some light and add some 3D-object reflection onto that item. I have the 3D object and now I need to find a way to make it interact naturally with my 2D image.

As far as I understand, For the shadows to work properly I need to model something similar to the item I have and then drop the shadow-catcher onto the 3d model. Is that the only way? And what do I need to do to have reflections and liht too?

Also, are there any methods to simplify the modeling process for the image-based item I have to simulate?

Alternatively, I might have to texture the modeled item fully in Carrara. Are there ways to map the image I have onto the mock model I model in Carrara?

I have almost all DCG plug-ins and some inagoni ones too, if there is anything there to help.

Any compositing tutorials for Carrara out there?

Thank you all in advance!