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Time in OpenSpace

This section will cover the various aspects of manipulating time in OpenSpace.

  1. The Date/Time of the Simulation
  2. Changing the Rate of Time Change in the Simulation
  3. Interpolate vs Instant Time Change
  4. Default Keyboard Shortcuts for Time
  5. Video

The Date/Time of the Simulation

  • Upon launch of the default profile, the simulation will be set to one day behind the current time — this is to provide full coverage of Earth. Often, temporal data will not yet be available for the current date.
  • The date of the simulation can be changed to any date.
  • Solar System positional information is only available between 1850 and 2150.

Changing the Rate of Time Change in the Simulation

  • By default, the simulation will progress in real time.
  • The rate at which the simulation progresses can be changed.
  • You can progress forward or backward in time at any speed.
  • Time can be paused.
  • See Using the menus: Time for details on controlling the rate of time.

Interpolate vs Instant Time Change

  • When changing the date, the rate of time change, or pausing time, the change will be interpolated so as not to ‘jump’ the camera.
  • The number of seconds it will take to interpolate can be set under Settings -> Time Manager, where there are individual settings for the time change, rate of time change, and pausing.
  • Various UI elements, lua scripts, and keyboard shortcuts will let you make these changes ‘instantly’ without the interpolation.

Default Keyboard Shortcuts for Time

  • Space bar will pause time (slowing it down to a pause over 0.5 seconds)
  • Shift + Space bar will pause time instantly
  • The right arrow key will increase the rate of time (increasing over 0.5 seconds).
  • The left arrow key will decrease the rate of time (decreasing over 0.5 seconds).
  • Shift + the arrow keys will increase/decrease the rate of time immediately.
  • The number keys will set increasing specific rates of time.
  • ALT / option + number keys will set a decreasing negative rates of time.

Video

See the next tutorial Using the menus: Time for a video detailing using the time menu.

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