VRayShadow Examples

Transparent Shadows: on , Area Shadows: off

Subdivisions: 8

With these settings the VRayShadow acts like a Raytraced Shadow. In this case the Subdivisions have no effect on the final result. Notice that VRayShadow takes in concern only the geometry of the objects and the transparency of their materials (we have colored shadows).

Transparent Shadows: off , Area Shadows: off

Subdivisions: 8

Again VRayShadow acts like a Raytraced Shadow, but this time with Transparency off. Now we still get the transparent level due to the material, but we don't have the colors any more.

Transparent Shadows: on , Area Shadows: on

Subdivisions: 8

Now VRayShadow acts like an Area Shadow. See that further the rays fall on the shadow receiving surface - the blurrier the shadow gets. You can notice the grainy look which is due to low Subdivisions value.

Transparent Shadows: on , Area Shadows: on

Subdivisions: 24

Increasing the Subdivisions leads to better shadow quality. Of course that also leads to higher render time, as VRay calculates more samples, You can still notice some grain in the shadow.

Transparent Shadows: on , Area Shadows: on

Subdivisions: 48

Now with this value of Subdivisions we have a much better shadow quality. Using this parameter wisely can save lots of render time.

Transparent Shadows: on , Area Shadows: on

Bias: 2.0 , Subdivisions: 8

Biased shadow. Bias moves the shadow toward or away from the shadow-casting object (or objects). If the Bias value is too low, shadows can "leak" through places they shouldn't, produce moire patterns or making out-of-place dark areas on meshes. If Bias is too high, shadows can "detach" from an object. If the Bias value is too extreme in either direction, shadows might not be rendered at all.

When this type is chosen, the VRayShodow takes under consideration only the U size value. The V and W sizes don't affect the final result. In other words, this means, that our light source has a Sphere form and emits rays equally in all directions.

Now the light source has a Box form. In this case VRayShodow takes under consideration all the U, V, W size values. See how the shodow is strong according to the U axis and is much softer to the V one .

Now the shadow is looking very different compared to the previous one. You can notice how the sizes' values has influenced the final result of it.

In this case the Color value (R,G,B) in the Shadow Parameters rollout has no effect. In order to change the shadow color the Transparent parameter has to be off. See next images.

Shadow Color Green.

Shadow Color Red.