Embodiments of the invention provide a method for manipulating the position and appearance of shadows cast by light striking objects within a three dimensional model. Typically, the location and appearance of shadows are determined using the position of a distant light source. A user selects a point from within a shadow bounded region to drag from an initial position to a destination position. Once a point is selected, the position of the light source may be adjusted about a pivot point. The adjusted position of the light source is determined based on the position of the destination position and the position of the pivot point within the 3D model.