Apple Motion 5.1.1 User Manual
Page 947
 
Chapter 21
3D compositing
947
Note: Intersecting objects reveal an unnatural effect of using uniform softness. Because an 
equal amount of blur is applied to the entire shadow, the blur appears to spill out in front of 
the intersecting object, creating a strange appearance. This effect can be eliminated in two 
ways: by deselecting the Uniform Softness checkbox or by setting the object to not receive 
shadows (by deselecting the Receive Shadows checkbox in the Properties Inspector).
Uniform Softness checkbox deselected
Uniform Softness checkbox selected
Uniform Softness checkbox selected and text
object’s Receive Shadows checkbox deselected
Shadow appears in front
of intersecting objects.
No shadow appears.
The shadow is not visible
on the text object.
•
Color: This control sets the color of the shadow. Although semitransparent objects cast 
lighter shadows than opaque objects, you cannot create light transmission effects wherein a 
semitransparent object allows some light to pass through it, picking up its color or pattern and 
projecting that as part of the shadow, as light passing through stained glass does. For more 
information on using the color controls, see 
on page 132.
Note: When light shading is turned on, shadows are multiplied with the objects upon which 
they are cast. This means that the result is a darkening effect, regardless of the color of the 
shadow. If you select a shadow color lighter than the background upon which is is cast, the 
shadow may not be visible. So, for example, when shading (lighting) is turned on, it is not 
possible to cast a white shadow on a dark surface. To override this effect, you must disable 
shading. For more about using shadows without lights, see 
page 950.
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