A Non-parametric Guide for Radiance Sampling in Global Illumination

CGiV '07 - 4th International Conference Computer Graphics, Imaging and Visualization
July 2007

Pankaj Khanna, Mel Slater, Jesper Mortensen, Insu Yu

Abstract:

Global illumination as described by the radiance and potential equations is essentially a sampling problem. This sampling has two elements: ‘where’ to sample and ‘how’ to sample. In this paper we propose an alternative method to non-parametrically simplify the problem of ‘where’ in the general case. We present a solid angle based uniform sampling scheme with an efficient conservative cull of solid angles not effecting the transfer of radiance between two surfaces. This construction also provides a geometric bounds within which a surface can receive energy from another along directions contained in the solid angle. The technique can be used to illuminate a scene from a general emitter, including incident light fields. The method has several applications and advantages, with results showing good sampling efficiency and speed.


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Paper - (5.3MB .pdf)


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