---
title: "How to Use Matte Objects"
canonical: "https://documentation.chaos.com/space/VC4D/116855552/How%20to%20Use%20Matte%20Objects"
format: markdown
---
This tutorial explains how you can make any object a shadow catcher.


## **Overview**

---

The Shadow Catcher is a Matte object that is not directly visible in the scene but shows the received shadows. This is ideal for adding 3D geometry to an image. The shadows create the illusion that the object is actually placed inside the image.

For this tutorial, we use a car geometry from the [Chaos Cosmos Browser](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VC4D/pages/116850822) and a [Dome Light](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VC4D/pages/116853225) with an HDRI texture applied, sourced from [Poly Haven](https://polyhaven.com/a/urban_street_04). This is how the render looks before and after adding a matte object.

Want to follow along but don’t have a license?


> Macro (ui-button)





## **Steps**

---

There are two methods for making an object a Shadow Catcher:

- Setting the options manually
- Using the [Make Shadow Catcher tool](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VC4D/pages/116856205) from the **V-Ray** menu.

The Make Shadow Catcher tool automatically adds the VRayObjectProperties settings, which we will explore in **step 2.** However, setting these options manually gives you greater control, allowing some more artistic effects.

For this tutorial, we will go through the physically-accurate settings, but feel free to adjust the options to your liking.


---



---





---




> Macro (ui-text-box)
> 
> You can edit the shadow's **Tint Color**, **Brightness**, **GI,** and other settings to achieve a different look. Keep in mind that options different from the ones described in this tutorial will not create a physically-accurate render.