XPI Simulation’s latest release of its application programmer’s software, Tempest, includes support for real time shadows. Real time shadows do not just improve the realism of the visual image but offer the practical benefit of assessing the separation distance between objects.

Simple flat shadows created as linked objects have been used for many years to improve the realism of visual scenes. Real time shadows differ in that they map to the profile of the objects onto which they are projected and have practical uses in applications where depth cues for accurate positioning are important, for example crane operators or helicopter pilots.

The benefit to the user, which is often overlooked, is a simple set of commands providing the ability to accurately control the shadows generated and which is fully integrated with Tempest’s other features. The direction of the light source is easily set and any object can be selected to cast a shadow.

Many different methods exists for generating shadows, each being best suited to a particular application. XPI selected this method as being the most appropriate for simulator applications with minimum effect on performance. This is the first of a number of different shadow methods from Tempest: others will be integrated as they become available and will be selected simply by changing a single parameter.

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