Particle shadows/reflections in action

[Anonymous]

Scenario:

Shot of an old bakelite radio on a formica countertop with a camera move dollying out. Client would like cartoonish notes to come out of the radio, casting shadows and/or reflections on the formica countertop. I did a test of this effect in combustion using 2D particles, but the client wants more of a 3D look.

I’m modeling a 3D eighth note in Maya, which I intend to use as a 3D particle in flame (7.6). I’m placing an emitter on the radio speaker, then tracking it through the shot.

I understand that shadows in action aren’t cast by lights/surfaces, they’re actually created from mattes. So…

How could I simulate the notes casting shadows and/or reflections on the countertop cast by the 3D notes coming out of the radio? Don’t have time to do a whole 3D scene in Maya and matchmove it, need to do it quickly in flame or combustion.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

-zolo

[sven_vb]

I know a handy solution to your case.
Mail me at http://www.postoffice.nl

sven

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