Reflection (computer graphics): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:08, 12 September 2009

Revision as of 00:09, 23 November 2009

Line 2:

[[Image:Refl sample.jpg|frame|right|Ray traced model demonstrating specular reflection.]]

<br clear=all>

==Examples==

===Mirrors===

[[Image:Mirror2.jpg|frame|right|Mirror with 100% reflection.]]

Mirrors are usually almost 100% reflective.

<br clear=all>

===Metallic Reflection===

[[Image:Metallic balls.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The large sphere on the left is blue with its reflection marked as metallic. The large sphere on the right is the same color but does not have the metallic property selected.]]

Normal, (non metallic), objects reflect light and colors in the original color of the object being reflected.

Metallic objects reflect lights and colors altered by the color of the metallic object itself.

==Specular reflection==

[[Specular reflection]] is the mirror-like reflection of light from a surface. Specular reflection is accomplished in a [[Ray tracing (graphics)|ray trace]] renderer by following a ray from the eye to the mirror and then calculating where it bounces from, and continuing the process until no surface is found, or a non-reflective surface is found. Specular reflection on a shiny surface like [[tile]], or a [[wood floor]] can add to the [[photorealistic]] effects of a 3D rendering.

==Diffuse reflection==

Most surfaces are too rough to reflect light specularly, and instead reflect in a random direction. In ray-tracing, this is harder to emulate than simple specular reflection.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}

<br clear=all>

===Blurry Reflection===

[[Image:Blurry reflection.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Mirror with 100% reflection.]]

Many materials are imperfect reflectors, where the reflections are blurred to various

degrees due to surface roughness that scatters the rays of the reflections.

<br clear=all>

===Glossy Reflection===

[[Image:Glossy-spheres.jpg|thumb|400x|The sphere on the left has normal, metallic reflection. The sphere on the right has the same parameters, except that the reflection is marked as "glossy".]]

Fully glossy reflection, shows highlights from light sources, but does not show a cleat reflection from objects.

<br clear=all>

==See also==

{{portal|Computer graphics|5-cell.gif}}

Line 16 ⟶ 35:

* [[Wet floor effect]]

{{compu-graphics-stub}}

[[Category:Computer graphics]]