ShadowGui – An Interactive Shadow Tutorial Authors: Bjoern Kuehl im/ve, University of Hamburg Kristopher J.  Blom im/ve, University of Hamburg Steffi Beckhaus im/ve, University of Hamburg This teaching gem is an interactive learning tool, consisting of a presentation introducing shadow generation methods in pdf format, the interactive shadow tutorial, “ShadowGui,” made in QT, and several stand-alone OpenGL examples. The presentation introduces two methods for generating shadows: “Shadow Mapping” and “Stencil Shadow Volumes.” Both are dynamic methods, capable of casting shadows on arbitrary surfaces and also supporting self-shadowing. The tool, “ShadowGui,” explains in detail how both methods can be implemented in OpenGL. Concurrently, the result can be tested in another window of the tool. While the “ShadowGui” tool allows one to test and investigate both methods, the same examples are also present in source code, implemented in OpenGL, enabling students to experiment directly with the implementation. Submission type: Lessons / Teaching GEMS Published at: 8/10/2007 License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. Download (8,9 MB) Categories: 3D modelling, Algorithmic, Software, Technology Keywords: Aesthetics, Lighting, Physics of light and materials Other Keywords: Shadows, Shaders Requirements: The Presentation requires a pdf reader capable of full screen capabilities. The ShadowGui interactive environment requires: Linux (created using SuSE 10) nvidia GeForce FX or equivalent ATI graphic card QT 4 (http://www.trolltech.com/products/qt/index.html) The distributed source code requires: Linux (SuSE 10) nvidia GeForce FX or equivalent ATI graphic card GLUT libraries (http://www.opengl.org/resources/libraries/glut.html) GLEW libraries (http://glew.sourceforge.net/) Intended Audience: This teaching gem is intended for intermediate to advanced computer graphic students. The material should be accessible to a student in the final portion of an graduate level introductory graphics class though, as much of the basics are throughly described. The contents of the teaching gem are applicable both for interactive classroom use by an instructor or for individual use. The materials have been used in-class using an interactive teaching style of a Teachlet. However, the Teachlet Tutorial format includes a tutorial format extension of the same material that can be used for either self-learning or for reviewing of topics on an individual basis. Prerequisites: Introductory computer graphics course or potentially an advanced subject in such a course.