shadow Catcher + IBL ?

[Dariusz Makowski (Dadal)]

Hey

How can I make shadow catcher for IBL like... matte shadows?

TIA

[Alexander.Atanasov]

Hi Dariusz,

Currently that is not easily possible inside UE using V-Ray for Unreal as there are no V-Ray object properties option. However there is a tricky workaround which has limitations but maybe will work out for you.
In Max create your ground plane and make it a shadow catcher. Then export the vrscene and import it in UE. If you click render, the plane will be visible. In order to enable it as a shadow catcher, find the assigned material, right-click and enable "Render material from vrscene" - this way the material properties from the vrscene will be used instead of what is inside UE. Now in the render the plane disappers - this is normal because the background is black. Create a VRayEnvironmentSettings actor and override the background texture(use the same one from the Dome light so it matches). Lastly set the VRayEnvironmentSettings in the Environment drop-down in the V-Ray settings tab. Now the render should look like a proper IBL scene with a shadow catcher: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zxV3...WCjwvDEDMf5sEE
You could assign the plane material to any other object and work as a shadow catcher as well. Please tell me if this workaround works for you.

Best regards,
Alexander