Thanks guys, Is this all Max specific? I'm using Maya, (mentalRay) and I'm fine with getting the elements out in passes, but not sure about the shadow catcher.
a note on the clipping. The shader on the occluders is totally irrelevant in this case. you dont let them render, only cast shadows. I usually place them just below the hit point. so that the 3d element gets the shaowing but doesnt get a tell tale ring aound the intersection point (AO) Also mentalrays Matte shadow shader…