Shading Trainer

Drag the light (white dot) and the object. Turn on Labels if you want the parts named.

Options

Contrast: 0.75

Light settings

This is not from the white dot. It’s the general “room light” (like sky light, bounced light, or a lit room). Higher ambient = fewer deep shadows.

Also not from the white dot directly. This simulates light bouncing off the ground/walls back into the shadow side.

This is about the white dot: small light = sharper shadows, big light = softer shadows. (Think “bare bulb” vs “big window”.)

What to look for
Light side
Shadow side
Terminator
Core shadow
Reflected light
Cast shadow
  • Light side: faces the light (brightest).
  • Terminator: where light turns into shadow.
  • Core shadow: often darkest on the object.
  • Reflected light: soft lift near the bottom.
  • Cast shadow: on the ground. Darkest at contact.
Try this (30 seconds)
  • Turn on Posterize and set 5 steps.
  • Move the light left ↔ right.
  • Watch the terminator move and the cast shadow stretch.