Argh. Shadow error

[Dave Black]

Hey.

That really is wierd.

It could be a number of things. First, post a wireframe. Second, breifly describe how you applied your materials.

That should help us answer the question.

-3DZ

:D

[chepe297]

I sometime get that when I use "shadow map" instead of "Raytrace shadow" in 3DS MAX 4. I like to use shadow map because it can give you that nice soft edges unlike Raytrace shadow. However shadow map isn't as accurate.

To fix this error... all you need to do is OFFSET the light (casting the shadow) by a bit until it's gone.

Hope this helps... :scream:

[Dave Black]

It's funny, because I've never got that error before, and I wonder if it's really an error...

My instincts tell me that there is something going on with the geometry, like a hidden face somewhere inside, or a doubled face...dunno.

Shadow maps work like this:

A B/W render of the scene is made from the light's perspective. That map, is just of the outlines of the objects. This map just gets laid down on the geometry...sorta like a texture map. This could be a number of things, but I'd still check your geometry to see if something is blocking the shadow.

-3DZ

:D

[James Bending]

Hello,

Thanks for the replies, i think its down to my modelling skills, i wish i could explain further but im not sure what else there is to say...

Below are some pictures of the mesh itself, nothing seems wrong though.

http://www.jamesbending.co.uk/one.jpg

http://www.jamesbending.co.uk/two.jpg

http://www.jamesbending.co.uk/three.jpg

http://www.jamesbending.co.uk/four.gif

Thanks again!

James

[Dave Black]

Model looks ok...

Let's start with the checklist.

1. Is there anything in front of the light besides the sword?

2. Have you applied a default texture to the object and seen if it got fixed?

3. If #2 did'nt do jack, then start taking the model apart. Remove the green parts, then the hilt, etc. all the while doing test renders to see if the problem continues.

4. Try a different type of shadow.

5. Try a different type of light.

6. Do an .STL check(in the utilites panel) to see of the model is contiguous, or pops out errors.

7. Drink some coffee

8. Render it again.

9. Get back here and post your results.

:D

-3DZ

:D

[malkavian2003]

i have had this same thing happen to me, even with raytrace shadows. the way i fix it is usally copy the object and delete the original. this some times fixes it.
i have tried deleting the light and making a new one with no avail making me think that it has to do something with the object. usally it is the object that the shadow is falling on, rather than the object casting the shadow. if the big 3DZ fixes this i would praise him greatly.

[James Bending]

Hello,

3DZ thank you for posting those checks up, i have tried them all apart from the .STL one, i couldnt find it in my Utilities. I also havent attached the objects into a single mesh. I'm using 3DSMAX 4.2 if that is of any relevence, plugin consists of final render.


I had got some interesting results.


This is using spotlight with frshadowmap
http://www.jamesbending.co.uk/five.jpg

This is using spotlight with frshadowmap. I also used the Omni light which has been giving me the shadow error, also using frShadowMap.

(The omni light is projected to the right)

http://www.jamesbending.co.uk/six.jpg

Strange huh?

malkavian2003 - Thanks for the reply, i will see if deleting / copying will help at all...

Anyway thanks you for the time.

James

[gaggle]

Er.. uh..

..

I.. I've never seen that. I also had the same gut feeling that something was up with the geomtry or something that Zealot described.

Weeeeiird looking error. If you want to, send the .max file my way?, I could load it up and see if the error happens here as well.

[Marcel]

Does you sword have a 2-sided material? Maybe some of your normals are flipped, but you cannot see that because of the 2-sided material. Maybe the shadow maps don't take 2-sided materials into account?

[Marcel]

You might also try a Reset X-Form, which some times fixes weird things. You can find it in the Utilities Panel (last panel).

Btw, the STL-check is also available as a modifier.

[Dave Black]

Hmmmm...

First off, sorry I misdirected you to the .stl check...I must have been on drugs...hehe.

I'm now quite curious...

If you'd like to send it to me, I'll have a look and see if I can tell what's going on. Gaggle is a smart one, though, better send it to him first.

-3DZ

:D

[James Bending]

Hello, sorry for not replying sooner.

In the end because of pressures with my media coursework (A-level) deadline i have had to just make do with using the spotlight. But thank you all anyway for your efforts.

Here is the sword finally where it should be;

http://www.jamesbending.co.uk/final.jpg

Again thanks for the help

James

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