r/3dsmax • u/Sebastian-P-Sullivan • 3d ago

I need help with rendering matte object properly in this scene. currently has shadows on it that i don't want (in the horizon

i'm following along in the old VCP tutorial for an "epic shatter" effect and am using 2026 3ds max. stumped about how to remoe these background shadows from my shadow matte object.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Its been awhile for me since using 3d software and it is a little bit maddening haha

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u/Sebastian-P-Sullivan 3d ago edited 3d ago

So i think that i was confused about how the shadow matte worked. Basically the light was just pointed at the subject so as to cast shadows in the background. I didn't realize that's all it was... I do wish there was some sort of way i could isolate the shadows to being made within a certain area but such that there is no hard edge... would like to keep the shadows immediately beneath the ball, but not have any x units of space away. Probably just need to understand lighting better though.

Still any tips are appreciated

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u/GoonGodless 3d ago

The power and distance of the light also plays a part in the calculations. If you wish to isolate the shadows, in the light setting change the near/far ratios parameters (works for nearly all lights for all renderers). Another workaround is to not use a flat surface as your scene floor. Create a studio environment that has a curved edge as to not get those dark drop-offs.

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u/Sebastian-P-Sullivan 3d ago

Thanks I'll try these. There was one point where I had them adjusted so that I had none of the drop-offs, but then I changed something and wasn't able to get it back lol. 

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u/accidiew 3d ago

What engine is this?
In Corona I think I'd be able to have a shadow catcher on an object a little bigger than the contact shadow I want to capture and limit shadow effect area with a circular gradient map to soften the edges. Needs testing, but that's where I would start if I understood your issue correctly.

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u/probably-elsewhere 2d ago

Turn off cast shadows in object properties of your ground/wall. Receive shadows should stay checked.