Nightshade G3 Features

Feature Spotlight

Sagittarius A* simulated in Nightshade G3

Professional Edition

Interactive Black Holes

Light bends around black holes so that presenters can explore gravitational lensing in real time around Sagittarius A* or a stellar-mass black hole candidate.

3D Models in Professional Edition

Physically Based Rendering

Physical laws are used wherever possible to render objects for authentic simulation. Nightshade's starfield realism is second to none.

Realistic Atmosphere

Physical modeling of the atmosphere in 3D provides views from any perspective, including sunsets, sunrises, and precise light pollution control.

Sky Engine

Zoom in anywhere on the sky to see telescopic imagery from the Digitized Sky Survey, with support for different wavelengths and surveys.

Egyptian sky culture artwork in Nightshade

Sky Cultures

Nightshade includes the largest collection of sky cultures from across the globe, helping presenters connect astronomy with stories, traditions, and ways of seeing the sky from many communities.

Basic and Professional Editions

Terrain Engine

Explore detailed topography and surface imagery on major bodies. Load your own geographic layers or use Digitalis add-on drives for fast local access.

View add-on datasets.

Professional Edition

Break Out of the Solar System

Fly to nearby stars or outside our galaxy. Show why constellations are Earth-centric using more than two million 3D stars with proper motion.

Professional Edition

Volumetric Nebulae

Fly to, around, and through a few of the most interesting nebulae visible from Earth.

Volumetric galaxy simulation in Nightshade

Professional Edition

Volumetric Galaxies

Fly around or through exclusive volumetric simulations of our own galaxy and other Local Group galaxies, including the Large Magellanic Cloud, Small Magellanic Cloud, M33, and M31.

Feature List

Interactive Black Holes

Light bends around black holes so that presenters can explore gravitational lensing in real time around Sagittarius A* or a stellar-mass black hole candidate.

Professional Edition

Physically Based Rendering

Use physical laws wherever possible for authentic visuals and a highly realistic starfield.

3D Models in Professional Edition

Realistic Atmosphere

Show atmospheric effects from any perspective, including sunsets, sunrises, and light pollution.

Terrain Engine

Explore detailed topography and surface imagery on major bodies.

Basic and Professional Editions

Sky Engine

Zoom into telescopic imagery from the Digitized Sky Survey and other wavelengths.

Sky Cultures

Explore the largest collection of sky cultures from across the globe.

Intuitive Navigation

Use guided flight or manual control with any Digitarium interface.

Professional Edition

Break Out of the Solar System

Travel to nearby stars or outside the galaxy to show constellations in 3D.

Professional Edition

Volumetric Nebulae

Fly to, around, and through selected nebulae visible from Earth.

Professional Edition

Volumetric Galaxies

Fly around or through our own galaxy and Local Group galaxies including the LMC, SMC, M33, and M31.

Professional Edition

Time-Lapse

Visualize celestial motion and phasing over time without label buildup.

Shadow Visualizations

Render realistic moon and ring shadows plus volumetric shadow visualizations.

Automated Image Calibration

Æthos multi-projector systems use camera-based alignment directly in Nightshade.

Learn about Æthos.

StratoScript™

Automate shows or sequences with this simple, yet powerful scripting language. Nightshade G3 is almost fully compatible with scripts going back to Nightshade Legacy.

# Fly to Saturn # over 10 seconds # in one line: flyto object Saturn duration 10