# Newbie light/shadow question

**URL:** <https://forums.chaos.com/t/newbie-light-shadow-question/31753>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [May 29, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/newbie-light-shadow-question/31753 "2008-05-29T17:40:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![malmond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@malmond](https://forums.chaos.com/u/malmond)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/newbie-light-shadow-question/31753/1 "2008-05-29T17:40:45Z")

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Hi everybody…new member here. I’ve been lurking for a while and toying with V-Ray for the past two days. I’m hooked.  
I hope my question isn’t dumb and please forgive me if I don’t use the right terminology as I’m still trying to learn all the ins and outs.  
I ran a test model and while I like GI I wanted to use sharp shadows (not as sharp as omnis though) to simulate the SU sun, say…through a window. While at the start of the rendering I can see the effect I want, towards the end they get so soft they almost disappear. I’m wondering how to attain the effect I see in the start at the final image.  
Thanks for everything this site os full of great info.

malmond

Test w/ GI

Test with shadows…then no shadows

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**Author:** ![dcauldwell\_cg](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/chaosprd/user_avatar/forums.chaos.com/dcauldwell_cg/32/48271_2.png) [@dcauldwell\_cg](https://forums.chaos.com/u/dcauldwell_cg)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/newbie-light-shadow-question/31753/2 "2008-05-29T18:03:36Z")

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Re: Newbie light/shadow question

malmond

It may be that the glazing is somehow stopping the light coming thro. If you remove the glass from the windows it should work ok.

However, if I were you, I would use the real sun to achieve your effect, setting the sun size multiplier to 1 for sharp shadows or 3+ for softer shadows. You will need to use the physical camera.

(I also suggest that you reduce the bump on the floor)

Good Luck

David

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**Author:** ![malmond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@malmond](https://forums.chaos.com/u/malmond)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/newbie-light-shadow-question/31753/3 "2008-05-29T18:34:23Z")

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Re: Newbie light/shadow question

Thanks for the quick reply. You’re right about the floor. As it turns out it was an experiment with the bump(ing) I did the brick also (albeit reversed) I figured it wasn’t bad for a first try after only a couple of hours of playing.  
I’ll definetly try the sun suggestion. One more question though…where (under the Options) is the sun size multiplier? I can’t find it 😢  
Thanks again for your help.

malmond

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**Author:** ![bones\_cg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/838e76/32.png) [@bones\_cg](https://forums.chaos.com/u/bones_cg)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/newbie-light-shadow-question/31753/4 "2008-05-29T19:50:58Z")

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Re: Newbie light/shadow question

Environment - (GI)sky light - maps - Common (sky) - sun (default).  
It my be problem with to much secondary bounces make it 2 or 1! because if bounces is set up to many than light bounces produce great quantity of light from ceiling and floor and makes sunlight and shadows not so sharp! I hope that will help you!  
Sorry for English! :-X

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**Author:** ![malmond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@malmond](https://forums.chaos.com/u/malmond)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 12:11am UTC](https://forums.chaos.com/t/newbie-light-shadow-question/31753/5 "2008-05-30T00:11:14Z")

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Re: Newbie light/shadow question

No apology needed bones. Your reply was clear and very much useful. Thanks for your help. Both of you.