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I did the same as you ....... The basic math of an equilateral 90 degree triangle is that the sides of a right angle with the opposite angels of 45 will be equal. => a 6 foot wall at 9 (or 3) o'clock will cast a 6 foot shadow. The length of the shadow will always follow the same basic math principles of a right angle depending on the angle of the sun. Using your logic you have 80 foot trees which are HUGE. No prob if that is what you want. Good work all the same.
You did what I thought you did for the shadows selecting building and applying shadow according to the hieght. I hadn't thought about doing that until I saw your map, and was wondering if I got it right. Nice tip that. About your assumption on shadow lenth, I believe you have it off a bit. Assume that the sun is up 12 hours a day, and high noon the sun is directly overhead and rises and sets 6 hours before and after. I know that is not the true case, but.... Given that assumption, the shadows are longest just after the sun rises, and before it sets. At noon the only shadows are those under overhead cover, and for our purposes, non-existent. Half way through its upward or downward arc (9 & 3 respectfully) is when it would be at 45 degrees. Any object at that time will cast a shadow of a length equal to its height.......
Start with bottom/first message... To answer your question as to how... Select 1 story buildings. Copy selection to new file. Run layer effect >drop shadow, 4pixels. Do not merge with layer. Copy shadow layer back to original file, go back to new file and run layer effect >drop shadow, 8 pixel displacement. Copy and paste back on to shadow layer in original file (should be right under 1 story buildings). Erase new file. Repeat process for second and subsequent story buildings. From bottom to top it will look like; 1 story shadows, 1 story buildings, 2story shadows, 2 story buildings... used motion blur to shorten shadows of taller buildings falling across shorter ones. Bend, distort, rotate, and brush for shadows falling across varied land height. Not quick and easy, but you asked. , thanks again for comments/observations, I greatly value them. Cheers.
I wanted to thank you for noticing my shadows and commenting on them so quickly. This was the theory I was working with; Shadow length should = half the height of the building for mid-morning sun. On that premise I assigned 8pixels/story. Bridge shadows-The dock shadow turned out better for depicting fall of the river bank. The Bridge shadow was better until I added shadows for the crenalation. Towers, yes, you're right, it does appear the middle tower is shorter. I'll have to measure them. Trees, *sigh*, I like forests. The shadows are 40 pixels long and, yes, taller than any man-made structure (or anything else) on the map. That was my intention. I wanted big trees. If, however, you still think it's excessive, let me know. lol, initial message was too long, so second part might appear above this one,
