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I am trying to add 3-D dog ears to a human being in a real life video clip background.

I have to mask a portion of the persons hair over the 3-D model ears I created. The problem is I also have to add a shadow that is cast from the ears over the mask. It seems like every combination I try in the compositor has bad results.

This is the image of my compositor attempts This is the image of my compositor attempts

This is the result where you can see some of the issues I'm having

This is the result where you can see some of the issues I'm having

enter image description here

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ The view layer for the shadow catcher should not have the ear, just the shadow catcher. $\endgroup$ – susu Jan 5 at 20:55
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    $\begingroup$ Also layers with alpha channel should be combined using the alpha over, and use the mask as fac. Also try multiplying the shadow catcher opacity. $\endgroup$ – susu Jan 5 at 20:57
  • $\begingroup$ @susu The shadow catcher layer requires the ear in order to cast the shadow doesn't it? Anytime I delete it it deletes it from the other view layer as well for some reason. Also how do I multiply shadow catcher opacity, a gamma node? $\endgroup$ – JordanGarlandMI Jan 5 at 21:20
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    $\begingroup$ You need the object to cast the shadow, but not the object itself on the layer. Multiply is one of the modes for the mix node. $\endgroup$ – susu Jan 5 at 21:46
  • $\begingroup$ @susu Thank you very much it is working now ! $\endgroup$ – JordanGarlandMI Jan 5 at 21:59
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I didn't check a Mask option, but seems to me more natural to use an Object as a Mask and Shadow Catcher in once, so shadow follow the shape.

enter image description here

Alpha Over node seems to be working as expected.

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Notes:

  • Image in my 3Dviewport is an Empty object for a reference it doesn't influence a render. For the same effect (and probably easier) you can use image as bacgroud for camera (Camera Properties > Background Images) that can be video as well.
  • With Object ID pass or Cryptomatte you can separate shadow and adjust if needed.

enter image description here

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