Ray Tracing
Ray tracing is a rendering technique used to generate realistic images by simulating the way light interacts with objects in a scene. It traces the path of light rays as they travel through the scene, interacting with objects and surfaces to determine the final color of each pixel in the image. By accurately modeling the behavior of light, ray tracing can produce high-quality images with realistic lighting, shadows, reflections, and refractions.
- Antialiasing: This technique reduces visual artifacts such as jagged edges (aliasing) by smoothing out the color transitions between pixels, resulting in a more polished and natural appearance.
- Global Illumination: This approach models the way light is diffusely reflected and interacts with multiple surfaces, capturing the complex interplay of indirect lighting to produce more realistic shading and color variations.
- Soft Shadows: Instead of harsh, uniform shadows, this technique simulates the gradual transition from light to shadow, reflecting how shadows become softer and more diffused as they move away from the occluding object.
By integrating these techniques, the project aimed to push the boundaries of realistic image rendering, providing an immersive and visually compelling experience. The use of OpenGL facilitated efficient implementation and visualization of these complex effects, allowing for detailed exploration and manipulation of lighting and shading in the rendered scenes.