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title: "Shadow Select"
canonical: "https://documentation.chaos.com/space/VMAYA/111740423/Shadow%20Select"
format: markdown
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This page offers information on the Shadow Select types of the Light Select Render Element in V-Ray for Maya.


## **Overview**

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## **Direct Diffuse Shadows**

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### **Example: Direct Diffuse Shadow**

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For this example, we render three Direct Diffuse Shadow channels - one for the green light, one for the red light, and another for the blue light.

![image](media://93b59f30-b67b-44e4-9a93-62005a35f405)

RGB Color


## **Matte Objects Only**

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### **Example: Matte Objects Only**

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For this example, there is a matte object (plane) where the car's shadow is cast on. VRayLightRect and an HDR map are used for lighting and environment.

A Light select render element is added with Direct Diffuse Shadow type selected and Matte objects only option enabled. Color corrections are done to the shadows. See the compositing equation at the bottom for more information.


#### **Compositing Equation: Matte Objects Only**


## **Direct Specular Shadows**

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### Example: Direct Specular Shadow

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For this example, we render three Direct Specular Shadow channels - one for the green light, one for the red light, and another for the blue light.

![image](media://93b59f30-b67b-44e4-9a93-62005a35f405)

RGB color


### **Compositing Example: Color Correction**

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For this example, the following color-correcting steps are done:

1. First, switch the source to **Composite**.
2. Then, add a new render element layer and leave it to **RGB** color.
3. Add a new render element layer and re-name it to Direct_Diffuse_Shadow_Red. Change the Blending to **Subtract**.
4. Add a new render element layer, re-name it to Direct_Diffuse_Shadow_Red. Change its Blending to **Add**. Tweak this layer with color corrections to your liking. Here, exposure and colors (with a Bezier curve) are tweaked.
5. Do the same for the Direct Specular Shadow. For ease of use, you can sort them in folders.



#### **Compositing Equation**

<span style="color: #272727">For this compositing example, we render an RGB color and Shadow Select (both Direct Diffuse and Direct Specular Shadow types) render elements. Then, we subtract Shadow Select from RGB in compositing, grade the Shadow Select, and add it back to the composite.</span>

![image](media://c03e14c1-7b76-453d-8ed3-ebbf29cde4bb)


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