9 replies to this topic

[musawirali]

This summer I have been working on rendering caustics in real-time. I have developed an algorithm which I call "Caustics Mapping". Caustics Mapping is a physically based real-time caustics rendering algorithm. It utilizes the concept of backward ray-tracing, however it involves no expensive computations that are generally associated with ray-tracing and other such techniques. The main advantage of caustics mapping is that it is extremely practical for games and other interactive applications because of its high frame-rates. Furthermore, the algorithm runs entirely on graphics hardware, which leaves the CPU free for other computation. There is no pre-computation involved, and therefore fully dynamic geometry, lighting, and viewing directions are supported. In addition, there is no limitation on the topology of the reciever geometry, i.e., caustics can be formed on arbitrary surfaces and not just planar ones. Lastly, the caustics mapping algorithm does not hinder the rendering of other optical phenomenon, such as shadows, and hence can be integrated into current rendering systems easily. For results (images and video) and more information, please visit the project home page at http://graphics.cs.ucf.edu/caustics

Thanks

[shiaolin_monk]

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[musawirali]

thanks

[Tufty]

That is seriously impressive!

[Methulah]

there are another ways (or so I read on Gamasutra) that use .fx shaders and calculate it like that though your result was far more appealling.

[Dia]

Very interesting. Please consider writing an article about this and DevMaster can publish it.

[musawirali]

yep, .fx is are simply shader files in DirectX. The thing is, there are a lot of fast ways to "fake" caustics which look OK for the most part if everything is static. My algorithm is physically based and conforms to the actual light transport that goes on. Due to that, the caustics produced are more convincing.

[musawirali]

Thanks Dia. At the moment, an academic paper has been submitted to a conference/journal/workshop (can't say here which one :P), so until it gets published I am not able to write an article or a tutorial anywhere else. But rest assured, once it gets through from there I will write one for you guys.

[Mihail121]

Jesus Christ.... those demos are REALLY impressive and that algorithm is also quite revolutionary. I cogratulate you and i can't wait to see that docs ^^

[bladder]

same here. Very impressive. Let us know as soon as the docs are out. What version of vertex/pixel shader do you need at a minimum to do this?