Shadows on backplate

#1

Hello.
I am trying to get into Houdini, but I have run into a problem. Im sure the answer is simple, but I cannot find it anywhere. I have never rendered in Houdini so sorry for the newbie question :stuck_out_tongue:

I have a background image, a torus, and a grid. I have set up the lights and positioned the grid where I want it. I dont want to do any Comping right now, Just a simple render out of Mantra. Is there a way to get the shadows on my image only without the material showing? Or am I forced to composite layers?

http://oi60.tinypic.com/ay6m8h.jpg

#2

if you want to have some layers with the shadows go to the mantra node: Properties > Output

on the bottom there is the extra image plane. add one and select your required image layer.

there are some video tutorials for mantra:
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=203&Itemid=362

http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2160&Itemid=344

http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2724&Itemid=344

there are a lot of tutorials go true them. the help system in houdini is good so use it. :slight_smile:

to get faster feedback please go to the sidefx forum there are more people hanging around :slight_smile: