5.1.1

Chapter 21 3D compositing 947
Note: Intersecting objects reveal an unnatural eect of using uniform softness. Because an
equal amount of blur is applied to the entire shadow, the blur appears to spill out in front of
the intersecting object, creating a strange appearance. This eect can be eliminated in two
ways: by deselecting the Uniform Softness checkbox or by setting the object to not receive
shadows (by deselecting the Receive Shadows checkbox in the Properties Inspector).
Uniform Softness checkbox deselected
Uniform Softness checkbox selected
Uniform Softness checkbox selected and text
object’s Receive Shadows checkbox deselected
Shadow appears in front
of intersecting objects.
No shadow appears.
The shadow is not visible
on the text object.
•
Color: This control sets the color of the shadow. Although semitransparent objects cast
lighter shadows than opaque objects, you cannot create light transmission eects wherein a
semitransparent object allows some light to pass through it, picking up its color or pattern and
projecting that as part of the shadow, as light passing through stained glass does. For more
information on using the color controls, see Basic color controls on page 132.
Note: When light shading is turned on, shadows are multiplied with the objects upon which
they are cast. This means that the result is a darkening eect, regardless of the color of the
shadow. If you select a shadow color lighter than the background upon which is is cast, the
shadow may not be visible. So, for example, when shading (lighting) is turned on, it is not
possible to cast a white shadow on a dark surface. To override this eect, you must disable
shading. For more about using shadows without lights, see Shadows without lights on
page 950.
67% resize factor