--- name: "SoShadowSpotLight" section: "3" platform: "linux" package: "coin" version: "1:4.0.10-1" release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01" platforms: ["linux"] url: "https://new.carta.tech/SoShadowSpotLight" --- # SoShadowSpotLight(3) The SoShadowSpotLight class is a node for setting up a spot light which casts shadows. ## NAME SoShadowSpotLight - The **SoShadowSpotLight** class is a node for setting up a spot light which casts shadows. ## SYNOPSIS \#include \ Inherits **SoSpotLight**. ### Public Member Functions virtual **SoType** **getTypeId** (void) const\ **SoShadowSpotLight** (void)\ virtual void **GLRender** (**SoGLRenderAction** \*action)\ Public Member Functions inherited from **SoSpotLight** **SoSpotLight** (void)\ Public Member Functions inherited from **SoLight** virtual void **callback** (**SoCallbackAction** \*action)\ Public Member Functions inherited from **SoNode** void **setOverride** (const SbBool state)\ SbBool **isOverride** (void) const\ void **setNodeType** (const **NodeType** type)\ **NodeType** **getNodeType** (void) const\ virtual **SoNode** \* **copy** (SbBool copyconnections=FALSE) const\ virtual SbBool **affectsState** (void) const\ virtual void **doAction** (**SoAction** \*action)\ virtual void **GLRenderBelowPath** (**SoGLRenderAction** \*action)\ virtual void **GLRenderInPath** (**SoGLRenderAction** \*action)\ virtual void **GLRenderOffPath** (**SoGLRenderAction** \*action)\ virtual void **getBoundingBox** (**SoGetBoundingBoxAction** \*action)\ virtual void **getMatrix** (**SoGetMatrixAction** \*action)\ virtual void **handleEvent** (**SoHandleEventAction** \*action)\ virtual void **pick** (**SoPickAction** \*action)\ virtual void **rayPick** (**SoRayPickAction** \*action)\ virtual void **search** (**SoSearchAction** \*action)\ virtual void **write** (**SoWriteAction** \*action)\ virtual void **audioRender** (**SoAudioRenderAction** \*action)\ virtual void **getPrimitiveCount** (**SoGetPrimitiveCountAction** \*action)\ virtual void **grabEventsSetup** (void)\ virtual void **grabEventsCleanup** (void)\ virtual void **startNotify** (void)\ virtual void **notify** (**SoNotList** \*l)\ SbUniqueId **getNodeId** (void) const\ virtual **SoChildList** \* **getChildren** (void) const\ virtual void **writeInstance** (**SoOutput** \*out)\ virtual **SoNode** \* **addToCopyDict** (void) const\ virtual void **copyContents** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*from, SbBool copyconnections)\ virtual **SoFieldContainer** \* **copyThroughConnection** (void) const\ Public Member Functions inherited from **SoFieldContainer** void **setToDefaults** (void)\ SbBool **hasDefaultValues** (void) const\ SbBool **fieldsAreEqual** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*container) const\ void **copyFieldValues** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*container, SbBool copyconnections=FALSE)\ SbBool **set** (const char \*const fielddata)\ void **get** (**SbString** &fielddata)\ virtual int **getFields** (**SoFieldList** &l) const\ virtual int **getAllFields** (**SoFieldList** &l) const\ virtual **SoField** \* **getField** (const **SbName** &name) const\ virtual **SoField** \* **getEventIn** (const **SbName** &name) const\ virtual **SoField** \* **getEventOut** (const **SbName** &name) const\ SbBool **getFieldName** (const **SoField** \*const field, **SbName** &name) const\ SbBool **enableNotify** (const SbBool flag)\ SbBool **isNotifyEnabled** (void) const\ SbBool **set** (const char \*fielddata, **SoInput** \*input)\ void **get** (**SbString** &fielddata, **SoOutput** \*out)\ virtual SbBool **validateNewFieldValue** (**SoField** \*field, void \*newval)\ virtual void **addWriteReference** (**SoOutput** \*out, SbBool isfromfield=FALSE)\ SbBool **getIsBuiltIn** (void) const\ virtual void **getFieldsMemorySize** (size\_t &managed, size\_t &unmanaged) const\ void **setUserData** (void \*userdata) const\ void \* **getUserData** (void) const\ Public Member Functions inherited from **SoBase** void **ref** (void) const\ void **unref** (void) const\ void **unrefNoDelete** (void) const\ int32\_t **getRefCount** (void) const\ void **touch** (void)\ SbBool **isOfType** (**SoType** type) const\ Returns TRUE if the type of this object is either of the same type or inherited from *type*. virtual **SbName** **getName** (void) const\ virtual void **setName** (const **SbName** &newname)\ void **addAuditor** (void \*const auditor, const **SoNotRec::Type** type)\ void **removeAuditor** (void \*const auditor, const **SoNotRec::Type** type)\ const **SoAuditorList** & **getAuditors** (void) const\ SbBool **shouldWrite** (void)\ void **assertAlive** (void) const\ ### Static Public Member Functions static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\ static void **initClass** (void)\ Static Public Member Functions inherited from **SoSpotLight** static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\ static void **initClass** (void)\ Sets up initialization for data common to all instances of this class, like submitting necessary information to the Coin type system. Static Public Member Functions inherited from **SoLight** static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\ static void **initClass** (void)\ Sets up initialization for data common to all instances of this class, like submitting necessary information to the Coin type system. Static Public Member Functions inherited from **SoNode** static uint32\_t **getCompatibilityTypes** (const **SoType** &nodetype)\ static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\ static **SoNode** \* **getByName** (const **SbName** &name)\ static int **getByName** (const **SbName** &name, **SoNodeList** &l)\ static void **initClass** (void)\ Sets up initialization for data common to all instances of this class, like submitting necessary information to the Coin type system. static void **initClasses** (void)\ static SbUniqueId **getNextNodeId** (void)\ static int **getActionMethodIndex** (const **SoType** type)\ static void **getBoundingBoxS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **GLRenderS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **callbackS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **getMatrixS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **handleEventS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **pickS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **rayPickS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **searchS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **writeS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **audioRenderS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ static void **getPrimitiveCountS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\ Static Public Member Functions inherited from **SoFieldContainer** static void **initClass** (void)\ Sets up initialization for data common to all instances of this class, like submitting necessary information to the Coin type system. static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\ This static method returns the **SoType** object associated with objects of this class. static void **cleanupClass** (void)\ static void **initCopyDict** (void)\ static void **addCopy** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*orig, const **SoFieldContainer** \*copy)\ static **SoFieldContainer** \* **checkCopy** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*orig)\ static **SoFieldContainer** \* **findCopy** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*orig, const SbBool copyconnections)\ static void **copyDone** (void)\ Static Public Member Functions inherited from **SoBase** static void **initClass** (void)\ Sets up initialization for data common to all instances of this class, like submitting necessary information to the Coin type system. static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\ This static method returns the **SoType** object associated with objects of this class. static void **addName** (**SoBase** \*const base, const char \*const name)\ static void **removeName** (**SoBase** \*const base, const char \*const name)\ static void **incrementCurrentWriteCounter** (void)\ static void **decrementCurrentWriteCounter** (void)\ static **SoBase** \* **getNamedBase** (const **SbName** &name, **SoType** type)\ static int **getNamedBases** (const **SbName** &name, **SoBaseList** &baselist, **SoType** type)\ static SbBool **read** (**SoInput** \*input, **SoBase** \*&base, **SoType** expectedtype)\ static void **setInstancePrefix** (const **SbString** &c)\ static void **setTraceRefs** (SbBool trace)\ static SbBool **getTraceRefs** (void)\ static SbBool **connectRoute** (**SoInput** \*input, const **SbName** &fromnodename, const **SbName** &fromfieldname, const **SbName** &tonodename, const **SbName** &tofieldname)\ static SbBool **readRoute** (**SoInput** \*input)\ ### Public Attributes **SoSFNode** **shadowMapScene**\ **SoSFFloat** **nearDistance**\ **SoSFFloat** **farDistance**\ Public Attributes inherited from **SoSpotLight** **SoSFVec3f** **location**\ **SoSFVec3f** **direction**\ **SoSFFloat** **dropOffRate**\ **SoSFFloat** **cutOffAngle**\ Public Attributes inherited from **SoLight** **SoSFBool** **on**\ **SoSFFloat** **intensity**\ **SoSFColor** **color**\ ### Protected Member Functions virtual const **SoFieldData** \* **getFieldData** (void) const\ virtual **~SoShadowSpotLight** ()\ Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoSpotLight** virtual **~SoSpotLight** ()\ Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoLight** **SoLight** (void)\ virtual **~SoLight** ()\ Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoNode** **SoNode** (void)\ virtual **~SoNode** ()\ virtual SbBool **readInstance** (**SoInput** \*in, unsigned short flags)\ Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoFieldContainer** **SoFieldContainer** (void)\ virtual **~SoFieldContainer** ()\ Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoBase** **SoBase** (void)\ virtual **~SoBase** ()\ virtual void **destroy** (void)\ SbBool **hasMultipleWriteRefs** (void) const\ SbBool **writeHeader** (**SoOutput** \*out, SbBool isgroup, SbBool isengine) const\ void **writeFooter** (**SoOutput** \*out) const\ virtual const char \* **getFileFormatName** (void) const\ virtual **SoNotRec** **createNotRec** (void)\ ### Static Protected Member Functions static const **SoFieldData** \*\* **getFieldDataPtr** (void)\ Static Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoSpotLight** static const **SoFieldData** \*\* **getFieldDataPtr** (void)\ Static Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoLight** static const **SoFieldData** \*\* **getFieldDataPtr** (void)\ Static Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoNode** static const **SoFieldData** \*\* **getFieldDataPtr** (void)\ static void **setNextActionMethodIndex** (int index)\ static int **getNextActionMethodIndex** (void)\ static void **incNextActionMethodIndex** (void)\ static void **setCompatibilityTypes** (const **SoType** &nodetype, const uint32\_t bitmask)\ Static Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoBase** static uint32\_t **getCurrentWriteCounter** (void)\ static void **staticDataLock** (void)\ static void **staticDataUnlock** (void)\ ### Additional Inherited Members Public Types inherited from **SoNode** enum **NodeType** { **INVENTOR** = 0x0000, **VRML1** = 0x0001, **VRML2** = 0x0002, **INVENTOR\_1** = 0x0004, **INVENTOR\_2\_0** = 0x0008, **INVENTOR\_2\_1** = 0x0010, **INVENTOR\_2\_5** = 0x0020, **INVENTOR\_2\_6** = 0x0040, **COIN\_1\_0** = 0x0080, **COIN\_2\_0** = 0x0100, **EXTENSION** = 0x0200, **COIN\_2\_2** = 0x0400, **COIN\_2\_3** = 0x0800, **COIN\_2\_4** = 0x1000, **INVENTOR\_5\_0** = 0x2000, **COIN\_2\_5** = 0x4000, **COIN\_3\_0** = 0x8000, **INVENTOR\_6\_0** = 0x10000, **COIN\_4\_0** = 0x20000 }\ Protected Types inherited from **SoBase** enum **BaseFlags** { **IS\_ENGINE** = 0x01, **IS\_GROUP** = 0x02 }\ Protected Attributes inherited from **SoNode** SbUniqueId **uniqueId**\ Protected Attributes inherited from **SoFieldContainer** SbBool **isBuiltIn**\ Static Protected Attributes inherited from **SoNode** static SbUniqueId **nextUniqueId** = 1\ static int **nextActionMethodIndex** = 0\ ## Detailed Description The **SoShadowSpotLight** class is a node for setting up a spot light which casts shadows. This node can be used instead of a normal spot light if you need to improve the performance by supplying a simplified scene graph to be used when rendering the shadow map(s). For instance, the shadow map scene graph doesn't need any textures or materials, and any non-casters can also be excluded from this scene graph. It's more optimal to use this node than to use the **SoShadowStyle** node to control this, at the cost of some extra application complexity. It's especially useful if you have a scene with few shadow caster nodes and lots of shadow receiver nodes. Currently, this node must be placed somewhere in the **SoShadowGroup** subgraph to cast shadows. **FILE FORMAT/DEFAULTS:** ``` ShadowSpotLight { shadowMapScene NULL nearDistance -1 farDistance -1 } ``` Here is the example from **SoShadowGroup**, modified to use **SoShadowSpotLight** instead of a normal **SoSpotLight**. Notice that only the sphere casts shadows. ``` DirectionalLight { direction 0 0 -1 intensity 0.2 } ShadowGroup { quality 1 # to get per pixel lighting ShadowSpotLight { location -8 -8 8.0 direction 1 1 -1 cutOffAngle 0.35 dropOffRate 0.7 shadowMapScene DEF sphere Separator { Complexity { value 1.0 } Material { diffuseColor 1 1 0 specularColor 1 1 1 shininess 0.9 } Shuttle { translation0 -3 1 0 translation1 3 -5 0 speed 0.25 on TRUE } Translation { translation -5 0 2 } Sphere { radius 2.0 } } } # need to insert the sphere in the regular scene graph as well USE sphere Separator { Material { diffuseColor 1 0 0 specularColor 1 1 1 shininess 0.9 } Shuttle { translation0 0 -5 0 translation1 0 5 0 speed 0.15 on TRUE } Translation { translation 0 0 -3 } Cube { depth 1.8 } } Separator { Material { diffuseColor 0 1 0 specularColor 1 1 1 shininess 0.9 } Shuttle { translation0 -5 0 0 translation1 5 0 0 speed 0.3 on TRUE } Translation { translation 0 0 -3 } Cube { } } Coordinate3 { point [ -10 -10 -3, 10 -10 -3, 10 10 -3, -10 10 -3 ] } Material { specularColor 1 1 1 shininess 0.9 } Complexity { textureQuality 0.1 } Texture2 { image 2 2 3 0xffffff 0x225588 0x225588 0xffffff } Texture2Transform { scaleFactor 4 4 } FaceSet { numVertices 4 } } ``` **Since** Coin 3.0 ## Constructor & Destructor Documentation ### SoShadowSpotLight::SoShadowSpotLight (void ) Constructor. ### SoShadowSpotLight::~SoShadowSpotLight () \[protected\], \[virtual\] Destructor. ## Member Function Documentation ### SoType SoShadowSpotLight::getClassTypeId (void ) \[static\] This static method returns the **SoType** object associated with objects of this class. ### SoType SoShadowSpotLight::getTypeId (void ) const \[virtual\] Returns the type identification of an object derived from a class inheriting **SoBase**. This is used for runtime type checking and "downward" casting. Reimplemented from **SoSpotLight**. ### const SoFieldData \*\* SoShadowSpotLight::getFieldDataPtr (void ) \[static\], \[protected\] *This API member is considered internal to the library, as it is not likely to be of interest to the application programmer.*\ Returns the **SoFieldData** class which holds information about fields in this node. ### const SoFieldData \* SoShadowSpotLight::getFieldData (void ) const \[protected\], \[virtual\] Returns a pointer to the class-wide field data storage object for this instance. If no fields are present, returns NULL. Reimplemented from **SoSpotLight**. ### void SoShadowSpotLight::initClass (void ) \[static\] ### void SoShadowSpotLight::GLRender (SoGLRenderAction \* action) \[virtual\] Action method for the **SoGLRenderAction**. This is called during rendering traversals. Nodes influencing the rendering state in any way or want to throw geometry primitives at OpenGL override this method. Reimplemented from **SoSpotLight**. ## Member Data Documentation ### SoSFNode SoShadowSpotLight::shadowMapScene The shadow map scene graph. If this is NULL (the default), the node will behave as a normal **SoSpotLight** node. ### SoSFFloat SoShadowSpotLight::nearDistance Can be used to set a fixed near distance for this spot light. The value in this field will be used if it is set to \> 0.0. Default value is -1.0. ### SoSFFloat SoShadowSpotLight::farDistance Can be used to set a fixed far distance for this spot light. The value in this field will be used if it is set to \> 0.0. Default value is -1.0. ## Author Generated automatically by Doxygen for Coin from the source code.