"Solar System Simulation", despite the name, is not really a physics simulation but only animated and serves me as computer graphics playground. It started as university project with fixed pipeline OpenGL which I evolved further in the course and later in my free time.
Now it uses the programmable pipeline (OpenGL 3.3) and features a variety of things:
- Variance Shadow Mapping (VSM)
- Point-, Spot- and Directional Lights
- Phong Reflection Model
- Normal & Specular Mapping
- Discrete Level-of-Detail
- Multisample Anti-Aliasing
- Glow Effects using Gaussian Blur
- Correct Transparency (disabled)
- Ray-Sphere Intersection
- Sky "Box" without geometry
- Gamma Awareness
Sizes and distances are not to scale obviously. Orbital period, orbital inclination and axial tilt should be more or less.
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Simulation Speed | 0-9 |
| Movement | WASD |
| Rotation | RMB + Mouse |
| Object Selection | LMB |
| Fullscreen | F11 |
Use the Visual Studio 2017 C++ solution. No platform specific code is used (directly), so it might
compile for Linux with only reasonable amount of work required. Not included dependencies are:
Other libraries I used (which are included):
Because I had to learn from someone. Also, in case you feel I have forgotten a reference here, message me!
VSM Basics:
Fabien Sanglard, "Softshadow with GLUT,GLSL and VSM", 2009, https://fabiensanglard.net/shadowmappingVSM/
Andrew Lauritzen, "Summed-Area Variance Shadow Maps", 2009, GPU Gems 3, https://developer.nvidia.com/gpugems/gpugems3/part-ii-light-and-shadows/chapter-8-summed-area-variance-shadow-maps
Model Loading and Normal Mapping:
Calvin1602 et. al., "Free tutorials for modern Opengl (3.3 and later) in C/C++", http://www.opengl-tutorial.org/
Star & Night Sky Rendering:
Krishty, "Hochwertiges Rendern von Sternen", 2009, https://zfx.info/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=08
Mercury
https://www.solarsystemscope.com/textures/
Venus
https://bjj.mmedia.is/data/venus/venus.html
by Björn Jónsson
Earth
May, Blue Marble Next Generation w/ Topography, from
https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/74343/may-blue-marble-next-generation-w-topography
"Africa – cloudy and hazy everywhere except Africa and Middle East" From "Natural Earth III"
on Tom Patterson, www.shadedrelief.com
Mars
http://planetpixelemporium.com/mars.html
by James Hastings-Trew
Jupiter
http://bjj.mmedia.is/data/jupiter_css/index.html
by Björn Jónsson
Saturn
http://planetpixelemporium.com/saturn.html
https://www.deviantart.com/alpha-element/art/Stock-Image-Saturn-Rings-393767006
Uranus
http://planetpixelemporium.com/uranus.html
by James Hastings-Trew
Neptune
http://planetpixelemporium.com/neptune.html
by James Hastings-Trew
Moon
https://www.solarsystemscope.com/textures/
Io
based on https://astrogeology.usgs.gov/maps/io-voyager-galileo-global-mosaics
It differs in details however and I can't find the source anymore.
Europa
http://stevealbers.net/albers/sos/sos.html#EUROPA
by Steve Albers