Continue to discover the world of sundials with the following resources.
User manual of Shadows
The user manual of Shadows is a genuine book on sundials and a practical guide on the software features to help you design, realize and install your own sundials. The manual features 110 pages illustrated in colors. You may browse through it on line, download the PDF or obtain a paperback version printed in color and shipped by mail post.
Paperback version of the manual
Order your paper version of the user manual using a print-on-demand service.
Warning: this version corresponds to Shadows version 4.5
Tutorials
These documents provide step-by-step explanations on how to realize a sundial, and show how data calculated by the Shadows software are used.
by Pierre-Louis Thill
A sundial inspired by Mucha with (fake) painted tiles.
by Michel Lambalieu
A style made of an eyepiece made from standard components found in retail stores.
Tutorial on how to use the equinoctial ruler to ease the drawing of hour lines on large sundials.
And do not forget to visit the gallery of sundials made by Shadows users: Sundials made by Shadows users
Video tutorials on Shadows
Create your first sundial (video, 4 min 27 s)
The horizontal sundial (video, 8 min 05 s)
Sundials in 3D (video, 6 min 56 s)
Multiple sundials in 3D (video, 4 min 05 s)
View more videos on: Shadows Pro Youtube channel
Information letter on sundials and astrolabes
This information letter was sent periodically to subscribers. With the version 5 of Shadows, it is now replaced by an internal information feed. Download and use Shadows to receive information on sundials and astrolabes.
Museums and collections
The following museums display collections of portable sundials.
- National Maritime Museum (Greenwich, England)
- Musée des Arts et Métiers (Paris)
- Musée de la Marine (Paris)
- Musée du Louvre (Paris)
- Musée du Temps (Besançon)
Reference Web sites
- North American Sundial Society (NASS)
- British Sundial Society (BSS)
- Commission des cadrans solaires de la SAF
- Commission des cadrans solaires du Québec (Canada)
- Gnomonica Italiana
- Societat Catalana de gnomònica
- De Zonnewijzerkrings
Other Web sites
- Analemma by Bob Urschel
- Sundial Sculptures by John Carmichael
- Sundials photos on Flikr by John Carmichael
- Sundials by Frans Maes
- Sundials of Belgium
- Sundials of Austria by Karl Schwarzinger
- Sundials of Japan
- The first clock - origin of the sundial
- Centre Mediterrani del Rellotge de Sol
- Sundials in paintings (Relojes de Sol en la Pintura)
- Aleksandr Boldyrev sundials
- Sundials in the Central Europe
- Sundials of Brittany by Jean-Paul Cornec
- Sundial of Alsace (Association Dasypodius)
- Web site of Yves Opizzo
- Web site of Joël Robic
- Les cadrans de Constant
- Soleilheurs by Nicole Aebischer
- Web site of Tony Mazziotti
- Web site of Patrick Robo
- Sundials of the Côte d'Azur
- Sundials of Rhône
Shadows Pro on FaceBook
Facebook page in English, on sundials, astrolabes and the Shadows software.
Prizes and Awards
Sawyer Dialing Prize 2023
The North American Sundial Society awarded François Blateyron with the Sawyer Dialing Prize in June 2023, for his work on the Shadows software.
Julien Saget Medal 2005
The French Sundial Commission (SAF: Société Astronomique de France) awarded François Blateyron with the Julien Saget medal in 2005, for the development of his Shadows software and his work on sundials. The prize was presented by Denis Savoie, president of SAF, at the Meudon Observatory, Paris.
Press Review
Un trophée mondial pour un passionné d'astronomie
Est Républicain, 18 juillet 2023
© Est Républicain, Pierre Laurent
[FRENCH]
Un cadran solaire spécial éclipse
Revue L'Astronomie, septembre 2017
© Société Astronomique de France
[FRENCH]
Des comtois au rendez-vous de l'éclipse
22 août 2017
© L'Est Républicain, Fred Jimenez
[FRENCH]
Temps Libre
April, 2014
© Temps libre - la Haute-Saône agricole
[FRENCH]
La Presse Bisontine
Summer issue, July-August, 2008
© La Presse Bisontine
[FRENCH]
TV Report on France 3
Bourgogne Franche-Comté, july 2007
Video report broadcasted on July 24th, 2007. Journalist: Isabelle Brunnarius, cameraman: Laurent Brocard.
© France Television
[FRENCH]
L'astronomie sur votre PC
Book published in France by Micro Application describing several astronomy software packages, including Shadows 2.2, provided on a DVD included with the book. ISBN 2-7429-6674-9
[FRENCH]
Sky & Telescope
September 2004
Test of Shadows version 2.0 by Joe Heafner.
[ENGLISH]
