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PANGU v8.02 was released on 2025-Dec-03 adding support for event-based camera modelling, depth-of-field effects, improved OBJ importing, integration with machine learning systems, PNG image support for surface model albedo maps, the ability to import parameters directly from PDS3 labels, and the NAIF/SPICE support for offline shadowmap generation. Event-based cameras operate in a substantially different way … Read more

PANGU v7.01 was first released on 2023-Nov-23 followed by a new installer on 2024-Mar-30 which had additional support files and a minor bug fix for the surfacemodeller Java GUI. The new version includes new models using high resolution LROC/NAC stereo DEMs and the huge combined LRO/Kaguya SLDEM, adds feature-related albedo for craters and dunes, and … Read more

PANGU v6.01 was released on 2021-Sep-15. It adds the ability to generate thermal infra-red (TIR) images of natural bodies (such as the Moon and asteroids) and artificial bodies such as spacecraft, as well as the ability to simulate communication errors. Thermal rendering of natural bodies in PANGU uses a look-up table (LUT) system where temperatures … Read more

In a recent Mathworks white paper on Machine Learning for Space Missions, PANGU is suggested as an image generator to train deep learning algorithms for navigation and guidance.  

The paper Planetary surface image generation for testing future space missions with PANGU (PDF) was presented at the 2nd RPI Space Imaging Workshop in Saratoga Springs, NY (28-30 October 2019).

PANGU v5.00 was released on 2019-Sep-08. It includes the ability to pass images directly to ffmpeg (or similar) for MP4 movie output from the viewer, a new tool called pan2cad to convert PANGU models into CAD formats (OBJ, STL, Collada), and the ability to import OBJ files into the surface modeller as ICQ files for … Read more

PANGU v4.50 was released on 2018-Dec-21. It extends the optical distortion model to include tangential distortion, adds support for detector reset/read-out smear and adds scattered light modelling via multiple weighted Gaussians. A Qt5.6 version of the PANGU viewer has been added which ought to be more usable than the Qt4.6 viewer on retina/hi-dpi screens.

PANGU v4.30 was released on 2018-Sep-07. It features the ability to add albedo/colour variation to asteroids, define BRDFs for boulders, and includes scripts to simplify generating videos from PANGU simulations. Note that this release has been superceded by the PANGU v4.50 release.

PANGU v4.20 was released on 2017-Jun-30. The surface modeller Java GUI has been updated to improve asteroid modelling support such as the addition of DEM extraction. The rendering GUI has been updated to support non-linear zooming in model-view mode and improved message logging. A full list of changes can be found in the ChangeLog.txt in … Read more