Volumetric Smooth-Shadow

Volumetric shadows are a technique for creating shadows in virtual environments by using a polygonal volume as the shadow, created using real-time shadow geometry in each frame more often than not, for the most accurate and thus realistic shadowing. This polygonal area then greatly simplifies the prospect of casting sub-shadows, since if a second model is partially in the shadow volume, that part must therefore be in shadow.

Smooth shadows, more often called soft shadows, are a difficult item to recreate. Hard shadows, where the edge between a shadow and a lit area is absolute, often destroy the feeling of believability. A soft shadow blends that edge, almost like anti aliasing; a fuzziness at the edges. The trickiness comes in doing it in as few clock cycles as possible, and keeping with the intrinsic properties of the item casting the shadow.

A volumetric smooth shadow therefore combines the properties of both, with perspective correction often taking place to increase the level of smoothing to create larger, more indistinct shadows as the shadow moves further from the object casting it.

See Also: Smooth Shadow, Perspective Correction, Volumetric Shadow

Below, we offer a selection of links from our resource databases which may match this term.

Perspective Correct Smooth-Shadow

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The Sharp Side of Emulated Erosion
Typically in VR, when we model erosive forces, we think of the smoothing effect of water. We think of smooth stones, smooth edges, and smooth cavities. We don't typically think of sharp edges and triangles. That may be a mistake.

Volumetric Rendering in Realtime
A brief but thorough multi-part article from Gamasutra, on creating volumetric rendering in real-time, for use in fog, fluid, and other effects, which correctly affect light at any point through them.

Perspecta: Volumetric 3D Display

The Perspecta display system was released by Actuality Systems in May 2005. Its intended purpose is as a 3D volumetric display capable of projecting a virtual object right in front of you.

Analysing Typhoons for Future Use
NASA has unveiled a weather satellite capable of converting any typhoon into a 3D volumetric map in unprecedented detail, in real-time. These maps being extremely useful for both dedicated weather simulators and interactive 3D environments alike.

VR Interfaces: Perspecta
A technical look at the Perspecta suspended display system, released by Actuality Systems in May 2005. Its intended purpose is as a 3D volumetric display capable of projecting a virtual object right in front of you.

Soft-Edged Shadows
A coder?s article about creating realistic, dynamic soft shadow in real-time interactive, and complex scenes.

Prosthetic Control Systems and Grace of Movement
For a great many, the dream of being graceful and smooth of movement - or even not scattering every item on a desk they try to lean over - is something of a fondly held dream. For others, even being able to walk unaided holds a similar place of reverence.

Immersive Newscasting versus Actuality
A quote from "Otherland: City of golden shadow", talking about the probable confusion that could result from a realistic enough, surround news feed versus actual physical experience of a disaster.

Recreating Rolling Terrain
Rolling terrain follows a specific pattern when viewed from the air. Anywhere on Earth, it is easily recognizable by the way it flows as a near never ending series of similar forms. Smooth, rounded ridges interspersed by valleys, leading down to deep valleys at either end.

Otherland: Is this a real place?
A lengthy quote from the book "Otherland: City of Golden Shadow", by Tad Williams, which sums up the dialectic between physical reality and virtual reality, in one of the most succinct and apt ways we have encountered.

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