title: Caustics mapping: an image-space technique for real-time caustics.
abstract: In this paper, we present a simple and practical technique for real-time rendering of caustics from reflective and refractive objects. Our algorithm, conceptually similar to shadow mapping, consists of two main parts: creation of a caustic map texture, and utilization of the map to render caustics onto nonshiny surfaces. Our approach avoids performing any expensive geometric tests, such as ray-object intersection, and involves no precomputation; both of which are common features in previous work. The algorithm is well suited for the standard rasterization pipeline and runs entirely on the graphics hardware.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Engineering III, University of Central Florida, Orlando 32816, USA. mali@cs.ucf.edu
authors.forename: Musawir A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Konttinen
authors.forename: Sumanta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pattanaik
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003199:Computer Systems; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008029:Lighting / Q000379:methods*; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D014584:User-Computer Interface