Shadow Catcher?

[Spectralis]

Is it possible to create shadows using the plugin without having an environment or a visible plane? I want to create an animation using figures as an alpha and then composite this into a scene. But I can't find a way to get the moving figures to create shadows without a visible plane or environment. I tried turning down the opacity of the plane's material but then the shadows disappear.

I know this can be done in DAZ but wondered if it's possible using the plugin. I'm using v1.2 but maybe this will only work with v2.1?

[larsmidnatt]

I think we just got this in 2.15 but I could be wrong. Did you see this?

http://render.otoy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=44331

My guess is if you are doing what is listed here and it doesn't work that maybe it's not an option in 1.x. linvanchene prolly knows.

[linvanchene]

I think we just got this in 2.15 but I could be wrong. Did you see this?

http://render.otoy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=44331

My guess is if you are doing what is listed here and it doesn't work that maybe it's not an option in 1.x. linvanchene prolly knows.

I do not remember anymore when exactly we got this.

If anyone is up for it he or she can do a forum search and read trough the old release notes.

But I assume the option might as well be included in the 1.2 version of february 2013.

- - -

Fact is:

In the installer of 2.1 prerelase 5th you find included installers for versions 2.1 5th, 1.5 AND 1.2.

I reinstalled that 1.2 version and there the MATTE option was available in the diffuse material settings.

MATTE - ON is available in OcDS 1.2

And in the render settings set

Alpha Shadows - ON
Alpha Channel - ON
Keep Environment - OFF

- - -

Compare

http://render.otoy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=44331

for more information as Larsmidnatt suggested.

I updated my original post in that thread with some additional information that pretty much sums up the current situation and gives an outlook towards new options available in standalone 2.20.

Keep in mind that since 1.5 you can quickly export your OcDS scenes as .ocs files and open them up in the standalone if you want to experiment with the latest standalone features...

[Spectralis]

Wow! Thanks to you both. I can always rely on getting some great help here. Concerning all these valuable tips and tricks getting buried in the forum maybe someone should consider compiling a book about OR/DS functions/tips and tricks such as these. I don't think I'd have the experience to do this myself but I'd be first in the queue to buy it!