Back to Tracked Camera Billboards: Placement
Introduction
The Billboard is capable of both casting virtually generated shadows and receiving such shadows and lights, giving important, real-life-like details to the production.
This document discusses the necessary settings to enable these features and their respective adjustable parameters to customize their effect.
Cast Shadows
Similar to the Virtual Camera workflow, the Billboard has a Cast Shadows option as well.
To find it, simply select the BILLBOARD X control panel you need, then head to the Pin Values panel and look for the Cast Shadows switch.
When Cast Shadows is turned on, the Billboard can cast virtually generated shadows. You may not see anything at first.
That's because you need a virtual light source (e.g. virtual spotlight) to cast shadows.
Cast Shadows turned Off.
Cast Shadows turned On.
Cast Shadows turned On, with the Billboard lit by a virtual spotlight to emphasize its effect.
NOTE: These screenshots were created using the following stock studio scene: [Studio]:News Room\News Room - TrackedCam_3-Cam.xcomp
NOTE: The virtual shadows' position may require further fine adjustments at this point.
Position Parameters
The Shadow Depth, Shadow Offset, and Shadow Rotation parameters allow you to adjust the position of the Billboard’s virtual shadow.
Shadow Zone
If you choose to use the shadows remaining from keying, the Shadow Zone parameter specifies to which heights the shadow should be kept.
You can read more about the Keyer's Shadow Zone and Keying with Shadows here.
There are two options:
- Input: The Keyer's Shadow Zone parameter will be applied according to the Video Input. For example, if the Keyer's Shadow Zone parameter is set to 0.01, it corresponds to the bottom 1% of the video input. A value of 1 covers the entire video, preserving the original shadows throughout.
- World: The Keyer’s Shadow Zone parameter will be disregarded. Instead, a new parameter called Shadow Zone Y will appear in the Billboard panel. This defines the vertical region within the virtual scene where the original shadows are preserved.
Receive Shadows Using Aximmetry's Native Render Engine
Similar to the Virtual Camera workflow, the Billboard has a Receive Shadows option as well.
It allows the Billboard to receive both shadows and lights.:
NOTE: Example of Receive Shadows used on the Billboard. Notice the shadows on the talent's legs and the coloring caused by the red spotlight.
Using Receive Shadows
The use of Receive Shadows requires some extra steps compared to Cast Shadows.
First, enable it by turning the Receive Shadows switch on.
Then select the Scene control panel, and turn on Allow Virtuals.
Lastly, select the ADJUSTER X control panel, and look for the Luminosity slider on the Pin Values panel.
Luminosity
This value sets the balance between virtual and real-life lights and shadows affecting the Billboard's image.
When Luminosity is set to 1: the Billboard cannot receive virtual lights and shadows.
When Luminosity is set to 0: only the virtual lights and shadows affect the Billboard's image. Without enough virtual light hitting the Billboard, it will appear completely dark. Studio lights are still necessary for keying and for providing color information for the virtual lights.
NOTE: We suggest setting the Luminosity slider to 0.5 in the beginning to see both the virtual and real-life studio lights and shadows on the Billboard.
Lit Using Unreal Engine
In the case of the Unreal version of Tracked Camera compounds, the parameter named Lit allows for receiving virtual lights on the Billboard.
To use it, simply turn on Lit and Allow Virtuals.
Creating Shadows and Lights
NOTE: You can learn more about Lighting in Aximmetry's native render engine here: Lighting
NOTE: You can learn more about Shadows in Aximmetry's native render engine here: Shadows
