A modified radiosity algorithm for integrated visual and auditory rendering

Abstract

A concept on integration of 3D visual and auditory rendering is proposed in this paper. By the auditory rendering we mean the computer acoustical simulation with direct sound outputs that is based on the physical model simulation. The so-called visual rendering means the computer generation of 3D images of real world and even virtual world, but without sounds. By integration of 3D visual and auditory rendering we mean while computer generates a 3D image of physical model of real world, it generates the sound based on the physical model displayed if there is a reverberation-free sound source. Based on some kinds of similarity between the propagation nature of light and sound, a modified radiosity algorithm has been proposed for integrating implementation. The algorithm is suitable for both visual and room auditory rendering. It means for a given enclosure, once the form factors are calculated, they can be applied for calculating both the light radiosities and sound radiosities simultaneously. The features of the algorithm are indicated. The implementation techniques are given in detail. The integration of visual and auditory rendering is a big step toward real world simulation, furthermore it will extend the research direction of visualization in scientific computing (ViSC) to visualization and audiobilization in scientific computing (VAiSC). The combination of VAiSC with virtual reality technique will improve human-computer interface greatly.