Layer Shadows

Instructions for use

SuperMap iDesktopX can acquire the shadow positions of data in the scene based on the position of the light source (sun) to simulate the shadow effects of data in the scene. The shadow model needs to be used in conjunction with the Visible function in the Scene tab. After enabling the shadow effect, the display direction of object shadows is related to the current scene time and not to the current computer time. The current scene time can be viewed or modified in the Time management panel in the Scene tab. For specific operations, please refer to Sun Effect.

Currently, 3D tile layers (using models as source data), 2D point-line-polygon layers, 3D point-line-polygon layers, model layers, etc., support setting the shadow model. Among them, the shadow model for 2D polygon layers is typically applied to region datasets and thematic map layers that have extended height set. The shadow for point (line) layers is usually applied to point (line) layers where the point (line) symbols are set as 3D symbols.

Function Entries

  • Layer Manager->Layer Context Menu->Shadow Model
  • Scene tab->Properties module->Layer Properties button->Layer Properties panel->Basic module->Shadow Model

Operation Steps

  1. Create a new scene or open a scene, and load the target dataset into the scene.
  2. The shadow effect requires activating the Sun Effect to display shadows. Before adjusting the shadow model, activate the sun effect via the Visible button in the Browse group of the Scene tab, and adjust the time with the Track button to dynamically adjust the shadow effect.
  3. Adjust the shadow model of the layer as needed through any of the following methods.
  4. Method 1: In the Layer Manager, select the target layer and right-click. In the pop-up context menu, choose Shadow Model. Options include no shadow, display shadows of selected objects, display shadows of all objects.
    • No Shadow: Selecting this option means not displaying the shadows of objects in the layer.
    • Display Shadows of Selected Objects: After selecting this option, it will display the shadows of selected objects in the layer.
    • Display Shadows of All Objects: After selecting this option, it will display the shadows of all objects in the layer.
  5. Or, in the Layer Manager, select one or more layers. In the Scene tab's Properties group, click the Layer Properties button to pop up the "Layer Properties" panel. In the Basic module, click the drop-down button next to "Shadow Model" to set it.

  6. The following image shows a schematic diagram of model shadows.