> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://pixelcut.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Shadows and Lighting

> Make cutouts look realistic after background removal or generation.

## When to add shadows

* Your cutout looks like it’s “floating”
* You’re placing a product onto a surface (table, floor)
* You need consistent depth across a catalog

## Tips for realistic results

* Match the shadow direction to the scene lighting
* Prefer softer shadows for studio-style product shots
* Add subtle contact shadows where the subject meets a surface

## Prompt patterns (examples)

* “soft studio lighting, subtle contact shadow on surface”
* “natural window light from left, gentle shadow”
* “overhead diffuse light, realistic grounding shadow”

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Remove Background" icon="scissors" href="/user-guide/core-workflows/remove-background" />

  <Card title="AI backgrounds" icon="image" href="/user-guide/create-generate/ai-backgrounds" />
</CardGroup>