Itoo Software Forum

Forest Pack => Forest Lite => Topic started by: ron_ADST on September 26, 2010, 12:03:14 PM

Title: I can't get shadows with my trees -
Post by: ron_ADST on September 26, 2010, 12:03:14 PM
When i try to get shadows to my trees nothing happens.

I put the shadowmaps in the forestmaterials. Now I should link the material to the shadowmaps in my light but in a daylight system there is no shadowsrollout. Do I have to use a different light or is there a different option?

kind regards Ron
Title: Re: I can't get shadows with my trees -
Post by: iToo on September 26, 2010, 12:27:05 PM

Are you using Mental Ray ?

If so, it's not needed to use XShadow (or other shadow maps), it's only applicable to the Scanline renderer. Please, try this:

1. Use Forest Material for your materials
2. Assign the light in Forest->Shadows->Raytrace->Light

That's all. You can see a guide to use billboards with different renderers here:

http://www.itoosoft.com/forum/index.php?topic=448.0

If you are rendering 3D trees,  there is not any special requirement. The shadows must work with Forest as any other object in the scene.

Title: Re: I can't get shadows with my trees -
Post by: ron_ADST on September 26, 2010, 12:45:28 PM
I'm using Lite on the moment

A daylight system - (MR)

in Forest - Shadows - I checked default

I put the shadow maps to the material

..... use fake shadows has to be uncheked? ....
Title: Re: I can't get shadows with my trees -
Post by: iToo on September 26, 2010, 01:16:36 PM

You need to set these options in Forest->Shadows:

- Use Fake Shadows - Enabled
- Vertical - Enabled
- Horizontal - Optional, only if you assign a horizontal shadow map in the material
- Raytrace->Light - Pick the daylight sun light

If you are using Forest Material with a Standard material (the recommended combination for MR), it's not necessary to assign a shadow map in the material, Forest uses the opacity map for the shadow.

If you like, post here the scene for checking.

Title: Re: I can't get shadows with my trees -
Post by: ron_ADST on September 27, 2010, 09:30:04 AM
....

for stupid people like me (!) - maybe it is better to change the name of the button from none to pick light?

Finaly I understand. Thanks
Title: Re: I can't get shadows with my trees -
Post by: iToo on September 27, 2010, 11:34:05 AM

The 'none' label is set by default in the pick buttons by Max, but i think it could be changed. We'll take a look to it.

Thanks for the suggestion !