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Shadow mapping
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<p>Shadow mapping or shadowing projection is a process by which <a href="/facts/Shadow/f9zpBgFQ">shadows</a> are added to <a href="/facts/3D_computer_graphics/zlWW6eaF">3D computer graphics</a>. This concept was introduced by <a href="/facts/Lance_Williams_(graphics_researcher)/NJqgyf3T">Lance Williams</a> in 1978, in a paper entitled "Casting curved shadows on curved surfaces." Since then, it has been used both in pre-rendered and realtime scenes in many console and PC games. </p><p>Shadows are created by testing whether a <a href="/facts/Pixel/UzwBvXBV">pixel</a> is visible from the light source, by comparing the pixel to a <a href="/facts/Z-buffering/HTyzcKbx">z-buffer</a> or <i>depth</i> image of the light source's view, stored in the form of a <a href="/facts/Texture_mapping/9gDTsuXN">texture</a>. </p>