Shadow-Based Depth
The geometry of light: how shadows root objects in our world.
🧐 What do you see?▼
A ball moves across the screen.High Intensity: The shadow stays on the floor, making the ball appear tojump high into the air.Low Intensity: The shadow follows the ball closely, making it appear toroll across the table.
🧠 Why this works▼
Our brains have a strong Source-from-Above lighting bias. By default, the brain calculates an object's distance from a surface by measuring the distance between the object and its Cast Shadow.
When the shadow is far from the ball, the brain "fixes" the contradiction by assuming the ball has moved away from the surface into the 3D void. This is the most fundamental cue for Vertical Positional Depth.
🧪 Try variations▼
Adjust the Intensity slider mid-animation. Watch how the ball instantly "lands" or "takes off" the moment the shadow logic changes.