Shadows

Rose123

I have multiple copies of an item on one file. Is there a way to apply shadows to just ONE item and leave the other alone? Right now, the shadows apply to everything (or is the answer "there's a plugin for that", lol)

Box

Using the native tools, in the entity window of the other items you can alter how they respond to shadows, ie: turn them off individually. No plug in required.

Gaieus

@box said:

Using the native tools, in the entity window of the other items you can alter how they respond to shadows, ie: turn them off individually. No plug in required.

Indeed. In fact, you can turn them off in one step but leave one item out.

Rose123

Box and Gaieus, thanks! Another question, tho ...sometimes what you suggested works fine. Other times, though, the drop-down menu that gives the options to click "receiving shadows" and "cast shadows" won't appear. I only see a layer field and a box to check for "hidden." This mostly happens when I select a whole item (such as a small house or room), not a part of it. Any idea why?

mitcorb

Does it matter whether they are groups or loose entities?

Dave R

It happens when you select loose geometry instead of a group or component.

Rose123

Thanks, yes, it looks like that's the difference (group vs. loose geometry). It continues to shade the model, though, even if it doesn't cast shadows. I would have preferred it to have no shading either, but I will take what I can get!

Dave R

Perhaps you could do a composite image export from your model? It would be a lot easier to suggest something if we could see an example of what you are trying to do. From what I understand you're after, I did this.

First export. No shadows cast or received. I just used Hidden Line but if the parts of the model you don't want shaded have materials there's a way to eliminate the shading, too. See below.

Second export with shadows on.

Result of combining them.

You can eliminate shading on the entire model by turning on 'Use sun for shading' and setting the Light slider to the left and the Dark slider all the way to the right.

Rose123

Thanks, Dave! Boy, SketchUp can get almost Photoshop-like in the tricks department...