# light linking and shadows **URL:** \ **Category:** Public\ **Created:** [May 14, 2010, 5:31am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044 "2010-05-14T05:31:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![awnold1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@awnold1](https://forums.chaos.com/u/awnold1)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 5:31am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/1 "2010-05-14T05:31:11Z")
simple scene, big problem. I have unlinked the directional light from the cube, the cube is not getting light (correct), but its still casting a shadow (incorrect). what is the problem? this is a new scene with a plane, cube and light.. vray version, 1.5 release (non-demo) ![](http://mattnorkaitis.com/zips/vray_shadow.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![vlado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/779978/32.png) [@vlado](https://forums.chaos.com/u/vlado)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 11:56am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/2 "2010-05-14T11:56:00Z")
At present, V-Ray for Maya cannot exclude an object from shadow casting by a given light, only from being illuminated. This is noted and we will implement it at one point. You can globally turn off the “Cast shadows” attribute for an object though. Best regards, Vlado ---
**Author:** ![awnold1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@awnold1](https://forums.chaos.com/u/awnold1)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/3 "2010-05-14T15:58:43Z")
then light linking really does not work, you cant have objects casting shadows everywhere for lights that have no influence on them. this is a fundamental feature, fundamental, how was this not implemented? not even sure if I can continue with it.. Matt ---
**Author:** ![Undersky](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/chaosprd/user_avatar/forums.chaos.com/undersky/32/11855_2.png) [@Undersky](https://forums.chaos.com/u/Undersky)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 10:23am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/4 "2014-02-03T10:23:22Z")
> [@vlado](#): > > At present, V-Ray for Maya cannot exclude an object from shadow casting by a given light, only from being illuminated. This is noted and we will implement it at one point. You can globally turn off the “Cast shadows” attribute for an object though. > > Best regards, > Vlado Whatever happened with this? We’re trying to turn off shadows for a plane, but nothing works. ---
**Author:** ![bigbossfr](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/chaosprd/user_avatar/forums.chaos.com/bigbossfr/32/50480_2.png) [@bigbossfr](https://forums.chaos.com/u/bigbossfr)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 10:28am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/5 "2014-02-03T10:28:54Z")
> [@glorybound](#): > > Whatever happened with this? We’re trying to turn off shadows for a plane, but nothing works. Exclude the plane in shadows links ---
**Author:** ![t.petrov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@t.petrov](https://forums.chaos.com/u/t.petrov)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 10:29am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/6 "2014-02-03T10:29:26Z")
What version of V-Ray for Maya are you using? ---
**Author:** ![vlado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/779978/32.png) [@vlado](https://forums.chaos.com/u/vlado)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 10:34am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/7 "2014-02-03T10:34:44Z")
We added support for shadow linking a long long time ago… Like Teodor asked, what V-Ray version are you using? Best regards, Vlado ---
**Author:** ![Undersky](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/chaosprd/user_avatar/forums.chaos.com/undersky/32/11855_2.png) [@Undersky](https://forums.chaos.com/u/Undersky)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/8 "2014-02-03T18:12:52Z")
> [@Wayne\_Harney](#): > > Exclude the plane in shadows links Care to explain a bit more? I’ve only been working with Maya for a year or two, so there are still lots to learn =) I selected the VrayLight and the plane and hit “Break shadow link”. Should I do anything else? I’ve tried selecting the light first and last, but still no result. To T.Petrov and Vlado: Right now I’m at home so I can’t check, but I’m quite sure I’m using the latest stable version (no nightlies). Unless you’ve released anything new since November. ---
**Author:** ![t.petrov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@t.petrov](https://forums.chaos.com/u/t.petrov)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/9 "2014-02-03T18:40:29Z")
Shadow linking works as expected in 2.40 in both production and RT. To use it just select some lights and some objects and hit: Rendering → Lighting/Shading → Break shadow links. It works the same as Maya’s software renderer. ---
**Author:** ![pizzaia](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/chaosprd/user_avatar/forums.chaos.com/pizzaia/32/19787_2.png) [@pizzaia](https://forums.chaos.com/u/pizzaia)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2017, 10:59am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/10 "2017-09-29T10:59:37Z")
Does this work with Dome Lights? I’ve been trying but keep casting shadows, Thanks ---
**Author:** ![t.petrov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@t.petrov](https://forums.chaos.com/u/t.petrov)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2017, 11:06am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/light-linking-and-shadows/24044/11 "2017-09-29T11:06:09Z")
Yes, it works as expected and the same as the other light types.