Re: shatter effect problem/design

Shatter is a funky effect. I'm assuming you are referring to the standard effect in the Simulation menu. I'm wondering where you are looking in your timeline. Say you want this effect to happen at the end of the outgoing shot. If you drop the effect on the entire clip then the shatter is complete long before the end of the clip. The effect will complete within 2 seconds. So for starters you'll have to split the layer at the point you want the effect to begin. Use the Force Strength to control the speed of the explosion. That'll get you started but you'll need to learn the controls to get the effect not to look cheesy. Maybe I should say "cheesier." Oh one final note on that... The effect will default to a wireframe view but before you can see the effect or render it you'll need to change the view to "Rendered."

As for your 2nd question, I would need to know if the source is a green screen or an alpha. If it's neither you're in for a long night roto-scoping.

If it has an alpha and you are using a light change the material options to shadow only. If you have no light use the drop shadow set the distance to 0 & check shadow only. then adjust the Opacity to suit.

If you have a green screen use Keylight (my favorite) or any other color keyer and get your best key. Then add the shadow effect as discribed before.