Shadow map wierd error

[eyeronik]

I am new to lighting. I have spent 12 hours trying to simply achieve a dark room with shadows that arent harsh. Ive learnt a fair amount but its been a long day and everytime I try something, something else goes wrong. I cannot seem to use shadow maps without it going wrong:

 

 

I really dont know why I get this problem with shadow map. If anyone can take a look and maybe help, I only want a darkish room with soft shadows, it would be great. I have messed on with a few settings and its probably obvious to those in the know

 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/spensley/test09.zip

[v_wrangler]

Without looking at the file you provided (I do not have R7), I'd guess

you have a very low shadow map size and sample range...

[Bugga_Guy]

seems like you are using "shadow maps". Increase your shadow map parameter size to like 3000 (higher the better) and increase your sample range to 50 (softens the shadows)

 

Or you can just render with Raytraced shadows.

[eyeronik]

ok I've upped those settings, but now its gone very dark and still has a few lines across the place. Ive tried various things in new files and its still the same. I cant seem to do a room with a omni with a shadowmap without it messing up. I can use the raytrace but that cant do smooth shadows and looks not so good. I need to up the brightness for this render then Ill show you whats happened.

[eyeronik]

ok so i tried the higher settings, but it just looks crap

 

 

I dont get what the part is. Have i made something wrong? its just walls and floors. I made the walls using the AEC walls function. Or is it something in my render or light ? it just wont seem to go unless i dont use shadow map

[joske]

in Mental ray u should use raytrace shadows and Mr area spots or Mr area omnis

that should work like a charm...

[v_wrangler]

ok so i tried the higher settings, but it just looks crap

 

 

I dont get what the part is. Have i made something wrong? its just walls and floors. I made the walls using the AEC walls function. Or is it something in my render or light ? it just wont seem to go unless i dont use shadow map

 

do you have co-planar surfaces?

[eyeronik]

Not sure what they are. I made it using walls and then selecting all the points and extruding a floor out then cloning it for the ceiling. Ive tried the mr omnis and it does remove the problem but only if I use raytrace, but I wanted the softer shadows really and you cant get them with raytrace apparently?. The white thing btw is a window, I will be covering that with blinds or something. I think maybe im going about it wrong and should just have a light in the room and imagine its dark outside. Just one yellow light type thing. What would be best to get a bright light and darkish surrounding room though?