How to creat shadow effect from behind, as my audience looks at the front of my object?.

[Tim Vaughan]

It is pretty easy, actually. But, without knowing all of your projects settings, I will take a shot in the dark at it. (no pun intended 🙂 )
I will usually create a “Floor” for this effect, if anything, to add a shadow in the front and enhance the effect. –Something that the object will sit on or float above. Then, position your light behind the object. Distance and height will have to be adjusted to your personal pref. Make sure your object can send shadows, and the floor can accept shadows. Make sure all lights in the front are turned off, or their brightness properties are 0%. Now it becomes a time for you to decide your placements and brightness values.
This can create a “backlit” scenario, and by adding a floor, you will have shadows coming off the object to enhance the visuals. If you want to have an actual “light” behind the object, you will have to add a plugin. I believe Trapcode has one called Lux, which is pretty neat, though I haven’t tried it. I hope this helps.
Thanks

Tim

Tim

[Mcvideo]

Tim So you options are two. The first positioning a light behind the my object (thanks for the tips on the floor, once i figure how to achieve the effect i will add the floor)

Your 2nd option is to use Trapcode LUX plugin. I have that but did not think of it. I tried the first option with no luck. I positioned the light behind my obecjt and above slightly. No luck. The front lights were turned off. I will give it another shot. If it does not work i will give LUX a shot.

Any other ideas? I wish this post has an area to add small bmp, or jpg (screen shots so you can see my settings.)

[Avrohom Kohn]

If you want the shaddow only, there’s an option for that. I think it’s a checkbox in the layers properties menu that says “shadow only.” I didn’t check now, so I hope I remember correctly.

-A.N.

[Filip Vandueren]

[mcvideo] ” tried the first option with no luck.”

Can you describe what’s happening ?
No shadow on the floor? Does the object still look normal coloured, not black (or dark depending on the ambiance setting) ?

Make sure your Draft 3D button is off, otherwise you’ll see no shadows or shading at all.

Lux will not create any shadows, it needs to be applied to another layer on top of your comp and renders only the lightbeams and glows of your lights to make them visible.