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Shadowvolumes are special meshes that are created to mimic the model in shape and profile to cast shadows onto terrain and other objects. It can also be used for self-shadowing. Follow these steps to create a shadowvolume: 
1. Create a low-poly mesh that is slightly smaller in scale than the original model's mesh. When both the original mesh and the shadowvolume are unhidden, you should not see any of the shadowvolume sticking out of the original model. Try to keep it as low-poly as possible, but pay special attention to the profile from the top down view or whatever angle the sun will be at in relation to the model. The silhouette is what needs the most attention, because this is what gets cast onto other objects. Also, the mesh must be completely closed without any open ends or polygons, and its global center is 0,0,0. 
2. Once created, name the shadowvolume mesh "sv_whatever". If there is more than one, name them "sv_whatever", "sv_whatever1", "sv_whatever2", etc. 
3. Make the shadowvolume mesh a child of the actual mesh to which it is related. This is especially important when there are multiple shadowvolumes and bones and animated parts in the model. If the original mesh is skinned, then the shadowvolumes should be children of their respected bones. Otherwise, they should just be children of the individual objects. 
4. Select the shadowvolume mesh. 
5. In the Animate menu, select Create -> Parameter -> New Custom Parameter. 
6. In the dialogue box, rename the Parameter Name to shadowvolume. Uncheck the Animatable Characteristic Button. 
7. Hide the shadowvolume mesh before export