Performing Shadows Analysis

exclamation_point_icon This feature requires the WebGL.

light_bulb_icon This section is valid for all product flavors.

With the objects being displayed in the 3D view, you can perform the shadow analysis. It is possible to see how the shadows cast by objects at a given latitude and longitude change during the day and seasons.

In order to enable and view the shadows for 3D object:

  1. Switch to the 3D scene. In this case, Geospatial Portal runs in 2D view mode
  2. Click 3D View Settings tab [1] on the sidebar.
  3. In the Lighting group of options, ensure that the Enabled [2] option is selected.
  4. In order to display 3D object shadows enable Shadow casting option [3].
  5. Use the sliders [4] to specify the month, date, and time. The sunlight and shadows will be adjusted immediately.
  6. Select the appropriate time zone from the Timezone pull down list [5].
  7. Check the Position tracking option [6] if you want the time zone to be calculated and automatically adjusted based on the current position on the map (it concerns the astronomical time zones based on longitude which may not always be accurate).

    3D ViewSettings_Lighting

It is also possible to start the animation showing how the shadows change during the day.

To play the shadows animation:

On the 3D View Settings tab, specify the month and day using the sliders.

Specify the start time using the time slider.

To start the animation click the play 3D ViewSettings_BTN_Play button. The animation will be played repeatedly until stopped by the user. Day and month will not be changed.

To stop the animation click the stop 3D ViewSettings_BTN_Pause button.

To speed up click the 3D ViewSettings_BTN_FFW button. To slow down the animation speed click 3D ViewSettings_BTN_Rew

Below is a sample view of shadows in Geospatial Portal.

3D ViewSettings_Shadow2

light_bulb_iconIn order to increase the performance of 3D objects display in Geospatial Portal, the Shadow casting is disabled by default. Portal users willing to use Shadow casting option can enable this features manually at 3D View Settings panel. Geospatial Portal administrators can make the Shadow casting option being enabled by default. For more information contact with Geospatial Portal administrator.