Title
A Comparative Perceptual Study of Soft-Shadow Algorithms
Abstract
We performed a perceptual user study of algorithms that approximate soft shadows in real time. Although a huge body of soft-shadow algorithms have been proposed, to our knowledge this is the first methodical study for comparing different real-time shadow algorithms with respect to their plausibility and visual appearance. We evaluated soft-shadow properties like penumbra overlap with respect to their relevance to shadow perception in a systematic way, and we believe that our results can be useful to guide future shadow approaches in their methods of evaluation. In this study, we also capture the predominant case of an inexperienced user observing shadows without comparing to a reference solution, such as when watching a movie or playing a game. One important result of this experiment is to scientifically verify that real-time soft-shadow algorithms, despite having become physically based and very realistic, can nevertheless be intuitively distinguished from a correct solution by untrained users.
Year
DOI
Venue
2014
10.1145/2620029
TAP
Keywords
Field
DocType
human factors,perception,three-dimensional graphics and realism,measurement,computational geometry and object modeling,soft shadows,methodology and techniques
Computer vision,Shadow,Computer graphics (images),Computer science,Simulation,Shadow algorithms,Artificial intelligence,Perception,Perceptual study,Visual appearance
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
11
2
1544-3558
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
3
0.40
37
Authors
5
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Michael Hecher1162.04
Matthias Bernhard2353.44
Oliver Mattausch333021.08
Daniel Scherzer421512.99
Michael Wimmer5127981.45