> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/osint-tools/shadowmap.md). # Shadowmap Tool Description : A 3D sunlight and shadow simulation tool that allows investigators to model the position of the Sun and resulting shadows for locations and times around the world. | **Shadowmap** | **Quick Overview** | | ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | URL | | | What it does | Simulates sunlight, sun position and shadows in a 3D representation of locations worldwide. | | How to use it | Select a location, adjust the date/time where available, and compare the simulated lighting or shadows with the scene being investigated. | | Cost | Partially Free. | | Account required | No for basic use. Yes for some saved/paid features. | | Cookies | Google cookies. None related to Shadowmap itself. | | Ownership | Owned and operated by Shadowmap Technologies GmbH in Vienna, Austria, and founded by Georg Molzer. | | Use in Reporting | Supports geolocation, chronolocation, image verification and reconstruction of lighting/shadow conditions. | ### What does Shadowmap do? Shadowmap provides an interactive 3D model of sunlight and shadows for locations around the world. Users can visualise where the Sun is positioned and how buildings, terrain and other objects affect shadows. The tool supports worldwide 3D buildings and terrain and provides real-time sunlight/shadow visualisation. Paid plans provide additional temporal and mapping capabilities **The lowdown:** It helps investigators determine whether the lighting conditions in an image or video are consistent with a proposed location and time. ### How to Use: **1. Identify the suspected location and any useful visual clues in the image/video, such as building orientation, poles, trees, walls or other objects casting shadows.** **2. Open Shadowmap, navigate to the suspected location and configure the available date/time settings. Adjust the 3D view to reproduce the relevant scene. Shadowmap allows users to change the time and, on paid plans, select dates in the past or future.** **3. Compare the simulated sun/shadow direction with the original material. Record the location, date/time, settings and screenshots used, and corroborate the result with other geolocation evide**nce. You can [view Shadowmap’s YouTube channel here for demos.](https://www.youtube.com/@shadowmap_org) ### Cost * [ ] Free * [x] Partially Free * [ ] Paid ## Data Processing ### Account Required: * [x] Yes * [x] No No for basic use. Yes for some saved/paid features. ### Cookies: Google authentication, security and consent cookies were observed during testing, including SAPISID, SID, SIDCC, SMSV, SOCS and SSID. Several are associated with Google account authentication and should be treated as sensitive session information. These cookies were set on Google domains rather than by Shadowmap itself. ### Use in Reporting Shadowmap can be used to: * Compare observed shadows with predicted sunlight conditions at a suspected location. * Assess whether the lighting in an image is consistent with a claimed date or time. * Support geolocation by analysing the direction and length of visible shadows. * Support chronolocation by modelling the Sun's position at different times. * Reconstruct historical or future sunlight conditions where the relevant date functionality is available. * Corroborate findings from satellite imagery, maps, photographs and other geolocation sources. * Document simulated Sun position, shadow direction, location, date/time and screenshots as supporting evidence. * Test competing location or timestamp hypotheses during an investigation.
CapabilitiesLimitations
Provides global 3D sunlight and shadow visualisation. Results depend on the accuracy of the underlying terrain, building and environmental data.
Can help compare real-world shadows against simulated conditions. A shadow match alone rarely proves a precise location or timestamp.
Allows investigation of sunlight at different times and, with appropriate plans, different dates. Some historical/date and advanced mapping features require a paid plan.
Provides 3D buildings, terrain and other environmental objects. Trees, temporary structures and objects may be missing or inaccurately represented.
Useful for geolocation, chronolocation and image verification. Lighting can be affected by weather, clouds, reflections and artificial light, which the basic shadow model may not reproduce.
Can create visualisations suitable for explaining analytical findings.
### Summary Shadowmap fits best during the analysis, verification, and geolocation stages of the OSINT workflow. Investigators can use it after identifying an image, video, location or claimed timestamp to assess whether observed sunlight and shadow patterns are consistent with a particular location, date or time. However, it’s not a substitute for independent geolocation evidence or specialist mapping and satellite-imagery sources. ### Ownership Shadowmap is owned and operated by Shadowmap Technologies GmbH, a private company based in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by [Georg Molzer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/molzer/), who serves as the company's CEO. ### Ethical Considerations * Only analyse locations and imagery for a legitimate and proportionate investigative purpose. * Treat shadow matches as indicators, not proof of a location or timestamp. * Avoid unnecessarily collecting or recording personal information visible in source imagery. * Clearly document the location, date, time and assumptions used in any reconstruction. ### Related Tools: * [SunCalc](/osint-tools/suncalc.md) * [MoonCalc](/osint-tools/mooncalc.md) * [Mapillary](/osint-tools/mapillary.md) * Google Earth * PeakVisor #### Sources