Question: How can I hide something in the render but still have it cast shadows?

Brotherlobo

I am trying to hide something (example - wings) in the render but still have it cast shadows. I thought I had it figured out but it doesnt seem to be working.

In my example, I am just using one spotlight.

Techincal stuff: DAZ 4.9 using 3Delight engine

Image 1: the render

Image 2: a screenshot of the set-up

Image 3: The parameter setting.

Any tips? Advice? suggestions?

XoechZ

It is possible in 3Delight.

You have to apply the UberSurface shader on the wings and then turn "Fantom" on. You will find this settung in the Surfaces Tab after applying the shader. This does exactly what you want!

Richard Haseltine

It's also possible in Iray in Interactive mode.

Ruphuss

this is a nice render lobo and i see your intention with the wings

how about making the blade a little more shiny/ reflecting the light ?

JD_Mortal

Render it twice... once with the wings, once without...

Overlay one image over the other... Use the bottom half where the shadow of the wings are, and the top half without the wings.

Easier to do than trying to trick the engine into doing something it isn't designed to do.

If needed, raise your camera angel up a little bit, so the shadow of the wings does not go behind the wings, since you can't erase the wings and get the shadow behind it.

nicstt

Richard Haseltine said:

It's also possible in Iray in Interactive mode.

Interactive?

Richard Haseltine

Render Settings>Render Mode, with iray as the active engine.

Brotherlobo

Thanks for all the suggestions. XoechZ's suggestion worked.

Here is the final (maybe) render. This is a teaser for an upcoming novel I'm working on titled: Infernal Affairs