Perception of scene layout from optical contact, shadows, and motion

Kersten et al (1997 Perception 26 171-192) found that the perceived motion of an object in a 3-D scene was determined by the motion of a shadow. In the present study, we compared the effect of a shadow to that of a second object on the ground in determining the perceived position in depth of a floating object in both dynamic and stationary scenes. Changing the second (lower) object from textured to dark increased the influence of the second object on the judged position of the first object. Giving the second object zero thickness had this effect only if it was also dark. Variations in the height of the floating object were important with a second object but not with a shadow, in motion scenes. With alternative shadows present, the position of the floating object was determined primarily by matching speeds, with matching sizes as a secondary factor. These results show some similarities but important differences between the effect of a second object and that of a shadow.