Bidirectional point distribution functions for rendering granular media
US9472016B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T15/506
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The disclosure provides an approach for rendering granular media. According to one aspect of the disclosure, granular media are rendered using bidirectional point scattering distribution functions (BPSDFs). The dimensionality of BPSDFs may be reduced by making certain assumptions, such as random orientations of grains, thereby simplifying light transport for computational efficiency. To generate a BPSDF from a grain, light transport may be precomputed using a Monte Carlo simulation in which photons are shot onto the grain from all directions. The precomputed BPSDF may be used, during rendering, for describing the interactions within grains. When a light ray traced during rendering intersects proxy geometry which replaces grain geometry, the BPSDF may be evaluated to determine light transport. By repeating this process for many light rays in a Monte Carlo simulation, the light propagation through the granular medium may be determined.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.