NASA World Wind plug-ins and links

Plugins

One of the great features of WW is that you can create Add-ons and Plug-ins. Here are my contributions.

You will find zip files that contain the plugins directory. They should be unziped in your /Program Files/NASA/World Wind 1.3/Plugins directory with their directory structure preserved so that a new folder appears inside the Plugins folder. For more informations, notes, links and sometime a self installing package, visit the plugins pages at World Wind Central (WWC).

Note : most of those plug-ins have been written for WW 1.3.2 and 1.3.3 and will not work in WW 1.4 unless specified. Some of them have been included in WW 1.4 : Sky gradient and Globe icon. Others where previously included with version 1.3.4 : Stars 3D, Atmosphere, Global Clouds and Compass rose.

3D Cross Section - WW 1.4

Terrain extraction

This plugin allows you to select a square portion of terrain and view the 3D cut out in a separate 3D window, the 'terrain viewer'. The cross sections are saved and can be reloaded later.

The terrain viewer can also apply 'color scales', light and shadows to the extracted maps. See this page about the terrain viewer for more information and mouse/keyboard controls.

The 'terrain extraction' part of this plugin has been written by Erik Newman aka witak.

Download 3D Cross Section plugin 1.4 for WW 1.4 (Zip 1.1M - Feb 24, 2007)
WWC 3D Cross Section plugin page
WWC 3D Cross Section plugin forum thread

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Original Terrain Extractor / .bil exporter by Erik Newman - aka withak
// 0.1	11 Feb 2007		Initial attempt
// 0.2	12 Feb 2007		Add rotated selection area and xml output
// 0.3	14 Feb 2007		Log scale for size slider
// 0.4	14 Feb 2007		Fixed spherical geometry bug at IDL, added configurable filenames
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lens Flare - WW 1.4

Sunset over the globe

This plugin displays a lens flare effect when the sun is visible.

The plugin settings allow to chose between several presets from 'simple soft' to 'outrageously bold'. Advanced options allow to customize the different graphic parts of each preset.

This plugin has been originaly written by Stephan Mantler. I added the presets and persistence of the settings and also extended the number of sprites and textures used.

Download Lens Flare plugin 1.2 for WW 1.4 (Zip 102k - Apr 11, 2007)
WWC Lens Flare plugin page
WWC Lens flare plugin forum thread
Screen shots : Sunrise over the globe, Sunrise over Mount Everest, Outrageous sunset

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
//  1.2 Apr 11, 2007	Added presets - Patrick Murris
//  1.1 Apr  8, 2007	Settings are saved + new 'colored' flares by patmurris
//			Supports a variable number of flares - up to 16 (could be more)
//  1.0	Feb 21, 2007	First version by stepman "only took about two hours to write, and I needed a break"
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big Screenshots - WW 1.4

2x and 3x screenshot magnifier

This plugin allows you to save the current screen image at 2x or 3x its size with a better overall resolution suitable for printing.

With the default WW window size, the 3x factor is the equivalent of taking pictures with a 5 mega pixels digital camera. A full 1024x768 screen would produce more than 7 mega pixels.

To produce a panoramic view, simply shrink your WW window vertically to get a wide rectangle. The horizontal field of view will automaticaly widen.

Note : for technical reasons, the 3x magnifier will only render the ground terrain - no stars, atmosphere, sky, borders or placenames...

Download Big Screenshot plugin 0.3 for WW 1.3.5 and 1.4 (Zip 6k - Nov 23, 2006)
WWC Big Screenshot and Panorama plugin page
WWC Big Screenshot and Panorama forum thread
Big screen shots : Nice and French/Italian Riviera panorama, Shaded French Maritime Alps geology panorama (BRGM), San Francisco bay wide view

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 0.3		Nov 21, 2006	Added 3x tiled rendering for terrain only
// 0.2		Nov 13, 2006	Fixed viewport update for Camera
// 0.1		Nov 13, 2006	Check for hardware caps and down size if needed
// 0.1b1	Nov 12, 2006	First version... 2x only, fails above some size
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Known issues
// * Tiled rendering (3x) uses disk temp .png that slow down the process a lot and freeze WW
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Planetary Rings

Saturn and rings with shadows

This plugin adds different rings around different worlds. Rings for Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus are included. More can be added. Ring textures assembled by Pangloss.

Settings allow to chose different 'rings textures' for each world - when available. You can also turn shadows on and off and change the sun orientation to see different phases or seasons.

Download Planetay Rings plugin 0.9 (Zip 64k - May 20, 2006)
WWC Planetary Rings plugin page
WWC Saturn and Planetary Rings forum thread
Screen shots : Saturn and rings, Saturn and rings with shadows, Saturn and rings with shadows, Dark side of Saturn

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 0.9		May 20, 2006	Added atmospheric winter glow and all effects as settings options
// 0.8b		May 18, 2006	Fixed shadow on rings that was 'floating' above the ring plane. No inverted ring side if no shadows.
// 0.8		May 18, 2006	Use inverted texture for projection and 'unlit' rings side
// 0.7b		May 17, 2006	Fixed ring shadow on main body opacity
// 0.7		May 17, 2006	Added rings projected shadows on main body and fixed/not fixed sun settings
// 0.6		May 14, 2006	Added shadow option
// 0.5		May 11, 2006	Removed moire and Zbuffer cleared after rendering (for grid lines)
// 0.4		May  9, 2006	Turns off if looking at moons
// 0.3		May  8, 2006	Settings per world and testing shadows... not done yet
// 0.2		Apr 26, 2006	Camera tilt and proximity bug solved + better texture for Saturn
// 0.1		Apr 25, 2006	Added ZBuffer occlusion with a 'virtual sphere'
// 0.1a1	Apr 25, 2006	First light - very alpha: ZBuffer issue / Stencil ?
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Known issues :
// * Some wild polygons in the shadow over the rings - RingShadow(), depending on sun orientation
// * If ring texture does not end with a clean transparent border, ring projection on main body is dirty on the bottom edge
// * Shadow over the rings should not affect stars seen through the rings or main body
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heavenly bodies - WW 1.4

Jupiter and Io

This plugin adds the Sun and various moons according to the current world. It includes more than 15 moons and presets for Venus, Earth, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

Settings allow to set relative positions of bodies and size exaggeration.

Download Heavenly Bodies plugin 0.3 for WW 1.4 (Zip 930k - Apr 9, 2007)
WWC Heavenly Bodies plugin page
WWC Heavenly Bodies Forum thread
Screen shots : Exaggerated Moon over north of Europe, Sun eclipse over Mongolia, Jupiter and Io, Saturn and moons

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 0.3  Nov  6, 2006	WW 1.4 : added 'recenter' fix in Render()
//			Fixed device.TextureState[0] in Render()
// 0.2  May 29, 2006	Using a body list per world, two layers, sun flare
// 0.1b Jan  8, 2006	Fixed layer ordering for 1.3.3.1
// 0.1  Dec 30, 2005	First version w moon, earth and sun - no flare
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Known issues :
// * Faraway Sun stretch ZBuffer too much. Needs to be rescaled and placed closer.
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sky gradient (now in 1.4)

Sky gradient on Mars

This plugin adds a global atmospheric effect to the planet. From a thin halo at high altitude it fades into a full sky at ground level.

Since this process does not use texture bitmaps like the Sky and Atmosphere plugins below, it is a small footprint alternative saving on texture memory and possibly rendering time (maybe ?).

Settings allow for various presets for Earth, Mars and Venus.

Download Sky Gradient plugin 0.4 (Zip 9k - May 12, 2006)
WWC Sky Gradient plugin page
Screen shots : Sky gradient at low altitude over Mt-Fuji, Japan, Sky gradient at higher altitude over the french maritimes Alps, Sky gradient at low altitude over Mars

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 0.4  May 11, 2006	World dependant .ini files, insert layer before Images + Testing fog effect
// 0.3b Apr 24, 2006	ZBuffer bug fixed again...
// 0.3  Apr 24, 2006	ZBuffer bug fixed - (high mountains where behind the gradient above some altitude)
// 0.2  Dec 22, 2005	Promoted to RenderPriority.AtmosphericImages
// 0.1  Dec 21, 2005	First version...
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shiny Marble

This plugin adds a 'shiny' surface to the Earth waters.

This is still a test and should evolve in future versions. For now the 'sun' follows the camera so you can see the highlight move across land and water. For a better usability, turn off the 'Images' layer in the Layer Manager - more responsive.

Download Shiny Marble plugin 0.2 (Zip 2.8M - December 27, 2005)
Download update to Shiny Marble 0.2 (Zip 6K - December 27, 2005 - needs 0.1)
WWC Shiny Marble plugin page
Screen shots : Shiny Marble at startup, Shiny Marble over Mediterranean sea (w Stars 3D and Atmosphere)

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 0.2 Dec  22, 2005	Fixed layer ordering so that it goes over Images. 
//			Increased sphere density to 128 for beter highlight
//			Turns off below 400km
// 0.1 Dec  14, 2005	First light - MUST TURN OFF IMAGES
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Known issues : Layer ordering not yet appropriate. Goes over places names and other layers
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Globe icon (now in 1.4)

Globe and top view

This plugin adds a mini globe showing the current location on Earth and an optional top view window. Version 0.7 can also show a global world map not available in WW 1.4.

Settings allow to choose various size and screen placements.

Download Globe icon plugin 0.7 for WW 1.4 (Zip 100K - April 8, 2007)
WWC Globe icon plugin page
Screen shot : Nice, France with Globe icon plugin (w Sky and Compass too)

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 0.7 Mar  18, 2007	Added world map option
// 0.6 Jan  20, 2007	Added setting to remember on/off status and fixed ./, issue
// 0.5 Nov   7, 2006	WW 1.4 : fixed device.TextureState[0] in Render()
//			Fixed RenderPriority
// 0.4 Mar  10, 2006	Fixed device.Transform.View bug (Thanks nht)
// 0.3 Dec   7, 2005	Fixed a couple things (Top-Left placement and texture directory path)
// 0.2 Dec   6, 2005	Added 'Earth only' test and optimized rendering
// 0.1 Dec   6, 2005	First try
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compass rose (now in 1.3.4)

Compass

This plugin adds a compass pointing north.

Settings allow for different compass versions, behavior and screen placement.

Download Compass rose plugins 0.7 (Zip 150K March 10, 2006)
WWC Compass rose plugin page
Compass_Rose_Modern_128.png (13K) by Jason Ellison aka Nosilleg (download into the plugin folder)
Compass_Rose_Modern_64.png (5K) smaller version

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 0.7	Mar 10 2005	Fixed device.Transform.View bug (Thanks nht)
// 0.6	Dec  6 2005	Added Bottom-Right placement
// 0.5	Dec  5 2005	Added Top-Center placement and testing SVG shapes
// 0.4	Dec  4 2005	Added more placement settings and some big graphics
// 0.3	Dec  4 2005	Added compass placement in settings
// 0.2	Dec  3 2005	Allow compass tilt in settings. Moved to upper right (for now)
// 0.1	Dec  2 2005	Compass simple bottom left
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Global Clouds - almost real time (now in 1.3.4)

Global cloud cover

This plugin adds a global cloud cover around the Earth based on actual satellite images. It updates every three hours and keeps a ten days history.

Settings allow to browse the cloud cover history.

Download Global Clouds plugin 0.6 (Zip 9K - February 10, 2006)
WWC Global Clouds plugin page
Screen shots : Earth and Global Clouds and (thin) Atmosphere plugins, Zoom over Europe with Global Clouds and (thick) Atmosphere plugins

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 0.6 Feb  10, 2006	Fixed 'Error loading texture' bug after 10 days plugin not used (History cleanup at startup removed)
// 0.5 Dec  22, 2005	Promoted to RenderPriority.AtmosphericImages
// 0.4 Dec   6, 2005	Added 'Earth only' test and fixed ZBuffer bug
// 0.3 Nov  29, 2005	Added next and previous buttons in settings 
// 0.2 Nov  26, 2005	Added download and processing of latest cloud cover 
// 0.1 Nov  22, 2005	Testing global cloud layer... 
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Known issues : Doesnt handle http errors as expected (try/catch/retrycount++...)
//		: May leave garbage if plugin unloaded while downloading
//		: When turned off and On the cloud layer may not reappear.
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Atmosphere (now in 1.3.4)

Atmosphere 'thick'

This is Bjorn Reppen aka Mashiharu original Atmosphere plugin revisited with new bitmaps and settings. It adds an atmospheric halo around the globe.

Settings allow for different halo 'thickness'.

Download Atmosphere plugin 1.2 (Zip 1.3M - December 27, 2005)
WWC Atmospheric halo plugin page
Screen shots : Earth with 'thick' halo, Bahanas and Florida, USA, low altitude and telephoto
Earth_Thin.png (275K) Thinner version of the atmosphere (download into the plugin folder - now included in 1.1)

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 1.2	Dec 2005, 22	Promoted to RenderPriority.AtmosphericImages
// 1.1	Dec 2005	Added 'Earth only' test and Earth_Thin bitmap - Patrick Murris
// 1.0	Nov 2005	Added settings and two 'better' bitmaps - Patrick Murris
// 0.1	May 2005	Plugin as an example of the WW 1.3.2 plugin architecture
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stars and Stars 3D (now in 1.3.4)

Stars 3D

This two plugins both add a starfield background to the world. Whereas Stars is bitmap based and renders a rather blurry sky, it includes options for the Moon or Earth. Stars 3D renders a much sharper sky based on a subset of the Hipparcos catalog of stars.

Settings allow for different sky textures or stars density.

Download Stars 3D plugin 1.1 (Zip 773K - December 27, 2005)
WWC Stars 3D plugin page
Download Stars plugin 1.1 (Zip 1.5M - November 15, 2005)
WWC Stars plugin page
Screen shots : Earth and Stars 3D plugin, Earth and Stars plugin with Moon, Moon and Stars plugin with Earth, Chili and Stars plugin with Moon

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// NAME: Stars
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 1.1 Nov  15, 2005	Renamed default bitmap. Now set of 3 backgrounds, with moon, with earth and just stars. 
// 1.0 Nov  13, 2005	First light after Bull initiative and pointing of Nasa stars backgrounds at 
// 			http://maps.jpl.nasa.gov/stars.html - they need to be flipped right to left though.
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// NAME: Stars3D
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 1.1 Dec  27, 2005	Added bright stars halo/flare
// 1.0 Nov  19, 2005	First light with up to 31k stars from the Hipparcos catalog
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sky and Fog - WW 1.4

Sky and fog

The Sky and Fog plugins add both a 'sky dome' and haze effect to World Wind scenery.

Settings allow for different sky textures and fog density.

Download Sky and Fog plugins 1.3 for WW 1.4 (Zip 1.1M - November 11, 2006)
WWC Sky and Fog plugins page
Screen shots : Nice, France, Mt St-Helens and Adams, USA

Version history (Show)

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// NAME: Sky
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 1.3 Nov   5, 2006	WW 1.4 : added 'recenter' fix in Render()
// 1.2 Nov  13, 2005	uncommented mashi's clipping code, raised trigger alt to 200Km
// 1.1 June 18, 2005	Settings dialog, bitmap select, read/save settings
// 1.0 June 15, 2005	First version, one bitmap
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// NAME: Fog
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// 1.1 June 19, 2005	Settings dialog, intensity select, read/save settings
// 1.0 June 15, 2005	First version
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

NASA World Wind plug-ins and links

Plugins

3D Cross Section - WW 1.4

Lens Flare - WW 1.4

Big Screenshots - WW 1.4

Planetary Rings

Heavenly bodies - WW 1.4

Sky gradient (now in 1.4)

Shiny Marble

Globe icon (now in 1.4)

Compass rose (now in 1.3.4)

Global Clouds - almost real time (now in 1.3.4)

Atmosphere (now in 1.3.4)

Stars and Stars 3D (now in 1.3.4)

Sky and Fog - WW 1.4

Core

Light control

Terrain tesselation

Links