Shadow Pass - How Do I isolate shadow?

[pali_rao]

Hi

Ive used VRay with Modo before and the Shadow pass produced something that I could use in Photoshop, invert and use a multiply blend mode to add a shadow. In C4D, the shadow pass is different - looks like a render +shadows - is there a pass to easily isolate the shadows please?

Many thanks!

[aleksandar.kasabov]

Hello pali_rao,

Can you specify what is it that you are trying to achieve? The Shadow RE works as a reverse mask for shadows that can be used to lighten, darken, or tint shadows. You can also have a look a the Matte Shadow RE (that shows areas where light doesn't reach) and Raw Shadow RE (that stores information about cast shadows calculated from the lighting in the scene).

Let me know what is your setup and your goal so I can assist you further. Thanks.

[pali_rao]

Thanks for the quick reply Aleksandar - so with C4D please see the original render and shadow RE attached. With VRay on Modo, if I inverted the shadow pass, I had effectively black where the shadow was and very little colour info, dso I can use a multiply blend mode in the PS with the shadow to boost them.

For the attached, the shadow pass has colour info from the element, rather than being just the shadows, so I cannot use it in the same way.

Which RE do I use to isolate the shadows against white ideally so I can apply this as a single layer in PS to boost existing shadows please?

Thank you

[aleksandar.kasabov]

Hello pali_rao,

To boost your existing shadows you can use the Shadow RE. You can then place it on top of your existing compositing setup and set its blending mode to "Subtract". Please check this video and let me know if it is of any help.

[pali_rao]

Hi Aleksander - great!!! Thank you so much.