Tree Shadow Demo

Comparison of Depth Map versus Raytraced Shadows in both Maya and Mental Ray Renderers

This page is designed as a supplement to lectures. It is not intended to be a stand alone tutorial.

This 2nd part of series of renders walks through a variety of parameters for casting shadows. In this example, its very clear the price paid to raytrace shadows is extreme, but its even more important to note that the depth map shadows make the interior of the tree possible look better than the raytrace shadows. This is difficult to see when the images are presenting here, but if they were in a viewer type program where you can flip back and forth between the two, its very easy to see the difference in the tree itself.

Pay Attention to the times it took to render the image. This can be very informative! One Maya render took over an hour! Also, remember that with depth map shadows, you can save the map and it can be reused by the render - as long as nothing moves in the shot. This can save even more time.

There is also an example of a Mental Ray depth map shadow with "Detail" has been turned on. This type of shadow map can render transparency. The rendering time for this detail map was very short and should be seriously considered for this type of render. It is one of my favorites.

This is the default Maya depth map shadow. The pixelation from the low resolution of the shadow map is evident.

This is the same resolution, but with a strong blur filter on it (Filter Size 4).

This is a good setting for creating a sharp hard edged shadow. However, the leaves of the tree are made by planes with transparent edges. The depth shadows cannot, however, record transparency so they all look like squares.

This is a good example of the interior of the tree looking very open. The shadow is acceptable (maybe), but the render time of almost 4 minutes is deadly.

12 minutes for the default Maya raytrace render!

Note how the tree interior is very contrasty and "busy". I don't think it looks as good.

This may have a great looking soft, accurate, raytraced shadow, but this easily demonstrates why you should use the Mental Ray renderer when you have the opportunity. And hour and a half to render this simple image!

Now we have moved to Mental Ray.

Basic depth map shadow.

This is very strong in terms of the tree. And its only 20 seconds!

This is the Mental Ray Detail Shadow Map. It can render transparency in shadows. Compare this to the image above. The shadow of the tree is very accurate. It is as close as you can get to the completely accurate raytrace shadow.

The tree looks great.

43 seconds!

Mental Ray default raytrace shadow.

Note the time compared to Maya's.

This is a beautiful shadow. The interior of the tree is good. But, you're stuck with 8 minutes a frame. Not bad, however, when compared to Maya's 90 minutes. Its more than 10 times faster.

UMBC Department of Visual Arts, Advanced Maya Courses, Dan Bailey

This is the default Maya depth map shadow. The pixelation from the low resolution of the shadow map is evident.
This is the same resolution, but with a strong blur filter on it (Filter Size 4).
This is a good setting for creating a sharp hard edged shadow. However, the leaves of the tree are made by planes with transparent edges. The depth shadows cannot, however, record transparency so they all look like squares.
This is a good example of the interior of the tree looking very open. The shadow is acceptable (maybe), but the render time of almost 4 minutes is deadly.
12 minutes for the default Maya raytrace render! Note how the tree interior is very contrasty and "busy". I don't think it looks as good.
This may have a great looking soft, accurate, raytraced shadow, but this easily demonstrates why you should use the Mental Ray renderer when you have the opportunity. And hour and a half to render this simple image!
Now we have moved to Mental Ray. Basic depth map shadow.
This is very strong in terms of the tree. And its only 20 seconds!
This is the Mental Ray Detail Shadow Map. It can render transparency in shadows. Compare this to the image above. The shadow of the tree is very accurate. It is as close as you can get to the completely accurate raytrace shadow. The tree looks great. 43 seconds!
Mental Ray default raytrace shadow. Note the time compared to Maya's.
This is a beautiful shadow. The interior of the tree is good. But, you're stuck with 8 minutes a frame. Not bad, however, when compared to Maya's 90 minutes. Its more than 10 times faster.