An Adapted Solution of Progressive Radiosity and Ray-Tracing Methods for Non-Diffuse Environments

Abstract

The rendering technique of progressive refinement radiosity method newly appeared has reduced the computation and storage cost dramatically in comparison with the standard radiosity approaches, though the method is still constrained to perfect diffuse environments. In this paper, an adapted two-pass approach with a combination of progressive refinement radiosity and ray tracing methods is presented. The method proposed has inherited the merits and practical value of the progressive refinement radiosity solutioin, and at the same time capable of dealing with non-diffuse environment by an improved calculation of specular reflections and a step of postprocess of ray tracing. Besides, treatment has also been provided in a postprocess for improving shadow effect caused by point-like light sources within a non–diffuse environment.