Version 1.0, August 31, 2001, Copyright, Hugh Jack 1993-2001

12.8 RAY TRACING

 

· This method no longer uses polygons, but relies directly on the geometrical model.

 

· The lines of light which make up the pixels of the picture, are back traced, and followed through reflection, refraction, and ambient light.

 

· This method generates a horrendous number of calculations.

 

· The figure on the next page shows how ray tracing is done for the first bounce, many other bounces may be performed for more realism.

 

· Advantages,

  1. - Realistic texture and appearances are easy to use
  2. - This is the only display method suited to rendering curved surfaces
  3. - The images give photograph quality

 

· Disadvantages,

  1. - Incredibly Slow due to large number of calculations
  2. - Requires a very powerful computer

 

· Support technology is being produced at a tremendous rate.

 

· Currently used for producing pictures and videos for sales marketing, etc. Many commercials on TV are produced with this method. Used in movies, like Terminator2, the Abyss, etc.

 

 

12.8.1 Basic Ray Tracing Theory

12.8.2 Ray Tracer Algorithms

12.8.3 Bounding Volumes

12.8.4 Shadows

12.8.5 Aliasing

12.8.6 Advanced topics