Ray Tracing
The Physics of Light
in Digital Worlds
Discover how computers simulate the complex behavior of light to create breathtakingly realistic graphics in games and movies.
What is Ray Tracing?
Ray tracing is a rendering technique that simulates the way light interacts with objects to produce photorealistic images.
Light Simulation
Mimics real-world physics by tracing the path of light as it bounces off surfaces, refracts through materials, and creates shadows.
Realistic Effects
Naturally creates accurate reflections, refractions, soft shadows, ambient occlusion, and global illumination.
Computationally Intensive
Requires significant processing power as each pixel may need hundreds or thousands of light path calculations.
How Ray Tracing Works
The step-by-step process that transforms mathematical calculations into stunning visuals.
1. Camera Setup
A virtual camera is positioned in the 3D scene, defining the viewpoint and perspective for rendering.
2. Ray Generation
For each pixel on the screen, a primary ray is cast from the camera through the pixel into the scene.
3. Intersection Testing
The ray checks for intersections with objects in the scene. The closest intersection point is found.
4. Shading Calculation
At the intersection point, secondary rays are spawned (reflection, refraction, shadow rays) to determine lighting.
5. Color Determination
The final pixel color is computed based on material properties and all gathered lighting information.
Interactive Ray Tracing Demo
Explore how different parameters affect the rendered result in real-time.
Simulation Controls
Statistics
Real-World Applications
Where ray tracing technology is making an impact today.
Video Games
Modern game engines like Unreal Engine and Unity now support real-time ray tracing, bringing cinematic quality to interactive experiences.
Film Production
Ray tracing has been used in CGI for decades. Pixar's RenderMan and other production renderers rely on ray tracing for photorealistic results.
Architecture
Architects use ray-traced renderings to visualize lighting conditions and material appearances in building designs before construction.
Product Design
Industrial designers use ray tracing to create realistic product visualizations for marketing and prototyping purposes.
The Future of Ray Tracing
As hardware continues to advance, ray tracing is becoming more accessible. What was once limited to high-end film production is now available in real-time for games and interactive applications. The pursuit of photorealism continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in computer graphics.