Ray Tracing Across Refractive Boundaries

Number: 20170358123
Published: 2017-12-14
Filed: 2016-07-26
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Novak; Jan, Koerner; David, Jarosz; Wojciech, Kutz; Peter, Habel; Ralf
CPC: G06T15/50; G06T7/13; G06T15/06; G06T1/20
Verdict: Low Notable software
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

A global illumination rendering method that traces light paths across refractive boundaries such as glass or water for physically accurate CG imagery.

Abstract

According to one exemplary implementation, a method for use by a global illumination system including a hardware processor includes identifying, using the hardware processor, a first interior vertex of multiple first interior vertices of a light path, the first interior vertices being situated within a volume having a refractive boundary. In addition, the method includes determining, using the hardware processor, a surface vertex of the light path at the refractive boundary, and determining, using the hardware processor, a linear direction from the surface vertex to a light source of the light path. The method also includes determining, using the hardware processor, one or more second interior vertices for completing the light path by constructing a path from the surface vertexto the first interior vertex, based on the linear direction, the surface vertex and the first interior vertex.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an exemplary global illumination system configured to perform ray tracing across refractive boundaries, according to one implementation;

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart presenting an exemplary method for performing ray tracing across refractive boundaries, according to one implementation;

FIG. 3A shows a result of performing an initial action according to the exemplary flowchart of FIG. 2, according to one implementation;

FIG. 3B shows a result of performing a subsequent action according to the exemplary flowchart of FIG. 2, according to one implementation;

FIG. 3C shows a result of performing a subsequent action according to the exemplary flowchart of FIG. 2, according to one implementation;

FIGS. 3D and 3E show a result of performing a final action according to the exemplary flowchart of FIG. 2, according to one implementation;

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart presenting an exemplary method for performing ray tracing across refractive boundaries, according to another implementation;

FIG. 5A shows a result of performing an initial action according to the exemplaryflowchart of FIG. 4, according to one implementation;

FIG. 5B shows a result of performing a subsequent action according to the exemplary flowchart of FIG. 4, according to one implementation;

FIG. 5C shows a result of performing a final action according to the exemplary flowchart of FIG. 4, according to one impl

Claims

1. A method for use by a global illumination system including a hardware processor, the method comprising: identifying, using the hardware processor, a first interior vertex of a plurality of first interior vertices of a light path, the plurality of first interior vertices being situated within a volume having a refractive boundary; determining, using the hardware processor, a surface vertex of the light path at the refractive boundary; determining, using the hardware processor, a linear direction fromthe surface vertex to a light source of the light path; and determining, using the hardware processor, one or more second interior vertices for completing the light path by constructing a path from the surface vertex to the first interior vertex, based on the linear direction, the surface vertex and the first interior vertex. 8. A method for use by a globalillumination system including a hardware processor, the method comprising: identifying, using the hardware processor, a first interior vertex of a plurality of first interior vertices of a light path, the plurality of first interior vertices being situated within a volume having a refractive boundary and including a medium having an anisotropic phase function; determining, using the hardware processor, a surface vertex of the light path at the refractive boundary; and determining, using the hardware processor, one or more second interior vertices for completing the light path by constructing a path from the first interiorvertex to the surface vertex, based on the anisotropic phase function, the surface vertexand the first interior vertex. 15. A method for use by a global illumination system including a hardware processor, the method comprising: identifying, using the hardware processor, a plurality of first interior vertices and a second interior vertex of a light path, the plurality of first interior vertices and the second interior vertex being situated within a volume having a refractive boundary; determining, using the hardware processor, a surface vertex of the light path at the refractive boundary; and relocating, using the hardware processor, the second interior vertex within the volume for completing the light path between the plurality of first interior vertices and the surface vertex.