# Can i render out a shadow cast from invisible object. Render out on alpha channel

**URL:** <https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/can-i-render-out-a-shadow-cast-from-invisible-object-render-out-on-alpha-channel/478116>\
**Category:** Rendering\
**Tags:** Shadows, opacity, unreal-engine, question\
**Created:** [February 2, 2021, 8:57am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/can-i-render-out-a-shadow-cast-from-invisible-object-render-out-on-alpha-channel/478116 "2021-02-02T08:57:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![armondtanz](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@armondtanz](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/armondtanz)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2021, 8:57am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/can-i-render-out-a-shadow-cast-from-invisible-object-render-out-on-alpha-channel/478116/1 "2021-02-02T08:57:42Z")

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So  
1:if i wanted to have a figure walking and cast a shadow.  
2:Hide the figure but still have the shadow  
3:have the shadow on an alpha layer…  
4: render out just the shadow?

Is this possible?

I think this would work on a white ground plane , but on alpha would be better.

Any hacks or work-arounds?

Thanks

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**Author:** ![NEverContain](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@NEverContain](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/NEverContain)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2021, 4:31pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/can-i-render-out-a-shadow-cast-from-invisible-object-render-out-on-alpha-channel/478116/2 "2021-02-02T16:31:08Z")

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Hey there, you can try the Render in the Main Pass.It’s in the details panel Details-\>Rendering-\>Render in Main Pass.

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**Author:** ![armondtanz](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@armondtanz](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/armondtanz)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2021, 6:51pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/can-i-render-out-a-shadow-cast-from-invisible-object-render-out-on-alpha-channel/478116/3 "2021-02-02T18:51:31Z")

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Thanks, I’ll take a look at that. only just started unreal so just trying to work out how to composite a huge walking army.  
Cant get my head around blueprints and nodes so gonna try do it old skool style.  
Its a must i have the shadows seprate on an alpha or white b/ground  
Thanks for reply 😃

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**Author:** ![robat1402](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@robat1402](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/robat1402)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 6:22am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/can-i-render-out-a-shadow-cast-from-invisible-object-render-out-on-alpha-channel/478116/4 "2023-05-30T06:22:25Z")

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Have you resolved this man?

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**Author:** ![kharnholio1](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@kharnholio1](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/kharnholio1)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 7:30am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/can-i-render-out-a-shadow-cast-from-invisible-object-render-out-on-alpha-channel/478116/5 "2023-05-30T07:30:01Z")

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While searching for a solution to another problem I stumbled across the following:  
Activating “Affect Indirect Lighting While Hidden” and deactivating “Visible” on the mesh seem to do what you are looking for but ONLY IN THE EDITOR 😕

I suppose the post process settings and/or some other setting for the play view might do the trick. Maybe this points you in the right direction 🙂

 ![2023-05-30 hidden shadow](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/b/4/b/b4b4b13bc88d9c51ead4018e734056607e92cbd8.jpeg)