Disable rendering of a node but retain node's shadow

[sam.price]

Hi,

 

I am basically entering first person mode on a node.

What would be the best way to hide the node while still rendering its shadow.

I also need it to render any particle attached to it.

 

I have tried disabling the node, disabling the surfaces of the node, and making the node's viewport higher that the camera's viewport.

These methods result in no shadow being rendered. 

 

What is the best method to accomplish this without swapping out materials?

 

Thanks,

Sam 

[silent]

Hi Sam,

 

Bit masking for veiwport is right choice: https://developer.unigine.com/en/docs/1.0/principles/render/bit_masking/

 

You can hide geometry, but shadows still can be rendered. If you want to save some performance you can also create a new surface with very low poly geometry and use it to cast shadows.

 

Thanks!

[sam.price]

I am still unable to do this with bit masking, but I like the surface idea. Every bit masking attempt I have tried has resulted in the shadow not appearing.

I ended up creating a low poly surface with an invisible material. It seems to be working well.

 

The low poly surface is the only surface that casts shadows, so now I can enable and disable the surface with the correct material as needed.

 

Thanks,

Sam