This page gives an overview of the Matte Shadow Render Element and how it may be used in compositing.
Overview
The Matte Shadow Render Element shows areas where light doesn't reach. Compare with the Raw Shadow Render Element, which gives areas of cast shadows. While technically not part of the Beauty render elements, the Matte Shadow Render Element can be used to lighten cast shadows by adding it to the Raw Direct Lighting Render Element. It can also be used to assist in adding 3D elements to a background image or footage in the composite.
UI Path
||out Network|| > V-Ray Render Elements node > V-Ray > Render Channel > Color Channel > Type > Matte Shadow
Attributes
The parameters for this render element appear in the V-Ray RenderChannelColor render channels node.
Denoise – Enables the render element's denoising, provided the Denoiser render element is present.
Consider for Anti-Aliasing – When enabled, anti-aliasing will be used where possible.
Filtering – Applies the image filter to this channel. Image filter settings are in the Image Sampler tab of the Sampler tab of the V-Ray Renderer node.
Color Mapping – When enabled, the Color Mapping options in the render settings will be applied to the current render channel.
Derive Raw Channels – Generates data in the raw channels by combining the respective color and the filter color channels.
VFB Color Corrections – Applies the post render color adjustments made from the VFB.
This render element is not supported with V-Ray GPU rendering.
Common uses
The Matte Shadows Render Element is useful for changing the appearance of shadowed areas in compositing or image editing software. Below are examples of its use.
Lightened Matte Shadows Render Element
Tinted Matte Shadows Render Element
Shadows lightened by adding to the
Raw Direct Lighting Render Element in composite
Shadows warmed by combining a color-corrected Matte Shadow
added to the Raw Direct Lighting Render Element