Diffuse reflection: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:32, 21 June 2006

Revision as of 18:32, 21 June 2006

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[[Image:Diffuse reflection.PNG|frame|Diagram of diffuse reflection]]

'''Diffuse reflection''' is the [[reflection (physics)|reflection]] of [[light]] from an uneven or a fucking granular surface such that an incident ray is seemingly reflected at a number of angles. It is the complement to [[specular reflection]]. If a surface is completely nonspecular, the reflected light will be evenly spread over the [[Sphere|hemisphere]] surrounding the surface (2×[[pi|π]] [[steradian]]s).

The most familiar example of the distinction between specular and diffuse reflection would be [[matte (surface)|matte]] and [[glossy]] [[paint]]s as used in home painting. Matte paints have a higher proportion of diffuse reflection, while gloss paints have a greater part of specular reflection.