Hi guys.

I know it has been about a year since my last post but I have had a change of career among other things.

I am returning to Maya to have a hobby that keeps me sane.

While rendering some flybys on my Star Destroyer and thinking about finishing the Oliphant I am rendering some New York street furniture using Ambient Occlusion and Mental Ray.

However there are dark artifacts appearing where there should be shadows. I know it's probably some simple setting to stop it but im a bit rusty at the moment so would appreciate your help.

Here are my render settings.

Mental Ray
Max Sample Level - 2

Shadows
Shadow Method - Segments
Shadow Maps - On
Rebuild Shadow Maps - Off
Shadow Map Bias - 0.000

Hope this helps and thanks in advance.