Sugestion to add new option

[Goran_m_pg]

Hi Steve,
I'm working with video editing software,and i tought to import video animation (made with anim8or) in my video, problem was that i couldn't have any shadows,becouse i couldn't create table in animator,that will take shadow on it self but that it won't show it self in the video... The simple example would be to import flying bullet animation over my table,i have video of table and i wan't that bullet produce shadows on table,that is imposible to do in video editing software,but if i had some object (in anim8or) that receaves shadow but don't show it self in the video that would solve the problem.
Is that able to be in next version of anim8or,it would help us import profesional animation in our videos...

[VBSmiles]

Your post sounds confusing. But I think I know what you are wanting to do.

Basicly you are attempting to cast a shadow in 3D but rendered in a 2D video.

Before making suggestions, I'd suggest trying green screen techniques.
Personally, I wouldnt know how to set up the lighting or materials to do such. Perhaps there's a tutorial around somewhere.

[Steve]

Shadow surfaces are an interesting idea.  THey've been mentioned before on several occassions.  I'd have to think a bit about how best to define them.  Would they be a separate image or part of the alpha mask?

[Goran_m_pg]

If somebody did not understod what i was tallking about,here is picture to explane everything, the desired effect is on the right side... Maybe Steve you could do it like seeting transparency from surface that receves shadow to 0,but recieved shadow still is on 100% since right now,shadow on that object i equal to object transparency....

[hihosilver]

Steve, to me the alpha method seems preferred.  If it were just a part of a color image, it wouldn't make much difference, as that's already very possible.

So Goran, it's currently possible to get what you want, you'll just have to use green-screen techniques.

[stipend]

ooh, add joining (point merging) to multiple paths

[VBSmiles]

Interesting Idea.... An "alpha shadow" of sort.

[Steve]

I'm still not completely sure how to define this.  Suppose there is a new "Shadow" material.  It seems that to work with traditional alpha channels the alpha value for this material would be used as the percent (strength) of the shadow and the color channel would be black or what ever color you wanted the shadow to look.  When rendered the alpha channel would get (1 minus alpha) from the shadow material and the color channel would get it's color.

[sagedavis]

Goram, Actually, VB gave you a hint, and I'll expand on this a little bit.
The green screen technique is used all the time in movies and can easily be used with anim8or.

Set your background to green and make a shadow receiving (but not casting) green plane.
Now you can render your video and the shadow should be there.
You can now easily edit the video to make the green color transparent in your video editing software.
All the major NLE programs will allow this technique, including many of the free ones.

Remember, there aren't many things you can use 3d rendering programs for other than, games, still images, and video, so, chances are someone here has dealt with the same thing. Perhaps one of us has even used your exact NLE and can help you further.

Sage

[computeruser28]

this suggestion is very useful for compositing.

[Goran_m_pg]

I knew about this,but green screen technique need's a lot of adjustements,i have tryed that but it still don't give me perferc resault as video with mask would.... and like you sad, that tehnique is only available for movie project, game and simular need's right shadow mask.....