The V- Ray Render Stats material can be used to specify additional render settings on a per-material basis. The same settings can be accessed through the Object Properties, but if this material is used, it overrides those from the object properties. 

The same properties are also present in every shape of a Maya node. Those override both from this material and from the object properties.

Base material – The input socket for the actual surface material.

Primary Visibility – When disabled, the object will not be visible. See the Primary Visibility example.

Visible in reflections – When disabled, the object will appear perfectly transparent to reflection rays. See the Visible in Reflections/Refractions example.

Visible in refractions – When disabled, the object will appear perfectly transparent to refraction rays. See the Visible in Reflections/Refractions example.

Casts shadows – When disabled, the object will not be casting shadows. See the Cast Shadows example.

Receive shadows – When disabled, the object will not receive shadows.

Visible to GI – When disabled, the object will be considered perfectly transparent to GI rays.

Example: Primary Visibility

This example shows the effect of the Primary visibility parameter. The V-Ray Render Stats material is applied to the glass owl figurine.

When Primary visibility is disabled, the glass owl figurine is not visible to the camera, but it is still visible in reflections and refractions. It also continues to cast shadows.

Example: Cast Shadows

This example shows the effect of the Cast shadows parameter. The V-Ray Render Stats material is applied to the metallic owl figurine.

Example: Primary Visibility

This example shows the effect of the Primary visibility parameter. The V-Ray Render Stats material is applied to the glass owl figurine.

When Primary visibility is disabled, the glass owl figurine is not visible to the camera, but it is still visible in reflections and refractions. It also continues to cast shadows.