shadow mapping resolution

[TiTaNiuM sAMuRai]

Is there any way to modify the shadow mapping resolution when using RenderWorks? In 8.5.2, the total map appeared to scale itself to the largest element in the scene, so closeups in a big scene would give noticeable soft jaggies.

Currently, with two directional light sources, the shadows I have appear quite crisp. Is there any way to change that?

[Guest]

Under Custom Render Settings, be sure Shadow mapped shadows is selected, use ray tracing is selcted and set to about 4 or 5, and Use Anti-Aliasing is selected. With Anti-Aliasing turned on, the rendering will take a little longer to output however the shadows should not be as 'crisp'.

That is about as soft of a shadow as you are going to be able to get unfortunately.

Here are two alternate suggestions:

You may be able to apply a colored light, other than bright white to get a little softer shadow. You can also place the directional light furhter away from the object so that the shadow effect is dispursed out further.

A customer I worked with in regards to a similar topic was able to get a little softer rendering using a light with a slight yellow hue to it. It didn't seem to alter the color of the objects too much, however the shadow effect was more of what he desired.

[TiTaNiuM sAMuRai]

Thanks.

I don't understand, though, why ray-tracing depth would have anything to do with shadows. In a conventional raytracer (e.g. POV-Ray), the depth kicks in only when reflection(s) are involved. Does VW not use this feature in the same manner?

I also don't understand why a _directional_ light's position would affect anything. Unless I'm mistaken, even objects behind the light source object are lit, right?

As for the hue, I always do use a yellowish tint, and a low-level slightly bluish light from the other direction. Does the shadow softening carry over to printouts?

In VW 8.5.2 and 9.5 (b7, I think), there was artifacting along the base of walls. Why is that?