1. A process comprising: receiving into a computer processor a model of an area; receiving into the computer processor a position in the model that represents a placement of a virtual sensor; receiving into the computer processor an orientation of the virtual sensor; generating with the computer processor a shadow map of the area as a function of the position and orientation of the virtual sensor; using the shadow map to determine one or more portions of the area that can be sensed by the virtual sensor; determining with the computer processor the area of the model that is covered as a function of the position and orientation of the virtual sensor; and transmitting to an output device information relating to the area of the model that is covered as a function of the position and orientation of the virtual sensor.