Ray tracing is a rendering technique used in computer graphics to create photorealistic images by simulating the way light interacts with objects. Here’s how it works:
- Ray Generation: For each pixel, generate rays (lines of sight) from the viewer’s perspective.
- Ray Intersection: Determine where these rays intersect with 3D objects or scenes.
- Light Propagation: Calculate how light reflects off surfaces, scattering and absorbing as it travels.
- Color Calculation: Compute the final color of each pixel based on accumulated light information.
Ray tracing is highly realistic because it accounts for:
- Diffuse Reflection: How light scatters off rough surfaces (e.g., walls).
- Specular Reflection: The shiny reflections from smooth surfaces (e.g., mirrors).
- Transparency and Refraction: How light passes through materials like glass.
It’s widely used in films, games, and architectural visualizations for its ability to produce lifelike imagery.