---
title: "Shadow"
canonical: "https://documentation.chaos.com/space/VRAYHOUDINI/113279769/Shadow"
format: markdown
---
This page gives some basic details about the Shadow Render Element and how it is used in compositing.


## **Overview**

---


## **Attributes**

---


## **Common Uses**

---

The Shadow Render Element is useful for changing the appearance of shadowed areas in a compositing or image editing application. In the example the Shadow RE is subtracted from the Beauty element, resulting in a darker render.




## **Underlying Compositing Equation**  


---


[Raw Shadow](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VRAYHOUDINI/pages/113280719) x Diffuse = Shadow

![image](media://047b8745-1cce-4e45-904b-6cf27a4b7163)


## **Notes**

---

- The Shadow pass can be both added and subtracted with the final beauty comp at a composite level without rerendering.
- Shadows can be color-corrected using the Shadow element.