alpha channels: 3ds max

[Teddy_KGB]

My current project involves the use of a 3D environment (created in max) combined with rotoscoped footage of a live action figure. I have imported the figure into max as an texture, using the image in both the diffuse and opacity map slots (using alpha channels) to make its background transparent. This texture was then put onto a plane in the scene.

Now here comes the problem....whenever i render there appears to be a black shadow-type artifact where the plane comes into contact with another object (in this case the ground, see attachment).

I have tried a number of things to try and overcome this - including excluding the character from casting shadows - so i know it isn't a shadow.

Any ideas on how to solve this? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Andy

[DeadlyFreeze]

I don’t know anything else that would cause it besides a light. It doesn’t look like an artifact in the rendering because it’s so uniform, it matches perfectly with the span of the plane.

It might be because your plane is intersecting that lower sidewalk part, try elevating it slightly above it.

If that dosent work, if you want I can take a look at it...

[Teddy_KGB]

DeadlyFreeze

Thanks for the reply.

The uniform nature is exactly why i thought it was caused by a light at first - only there isn't a light source in the scene that would correspond with the direction of the shadow.

I'll try adjusting the position of the plane, fingers crossed....