Ray Tracing
What is ray tracing and why is it revolutionary for rendering realistic scenes?
GLOSSARY
Ray Tracing is a computer graphics technique that simulates the way light interacts with objects to produce highly realistic images. It calculates the color of pixels by tracing the path that light rays take as they bounce off surfaces. This method is pivotal in motion graphics for rendering scenes with complex light interactions, reflections, and shadows, significantly enhancing realism.
The image showcases a comparison between two renderings of a red sphere, illustrating the effects of ray tracing. On the left, the sphere appears flat with minimal shading, lacking depth. On the right, ray tracing is applied, producing soft shadows, subtle light refractions on the surface, and a gentle glow, giving the sphere a realistic, three-dimensional appearance.
Videobolt's Fire Logo Reveal and Water Reflection Viz templates showcase the application of ray tracing to create realistic lighting and reflections. In Fire Logo Reveal, ray tracing helps simulate the natural behavior of light in fire, enhancing the flames' glow and interaction with the surrounding environment. On the other hand, Water Reflection Viz uses ray tracing to accurately mirror tracks and cover art on the water's surface, achieving realistic reflections and ripples that respond to the music's beat.
Ray Tracing on Videobolt
Technical definition
Implementing ray tracing involves complex calculations for each light ray's interactions with surfaces, including absorption, reflection, and refraction. Modern graphics processors and software have significantly reduced the computational time, making ray tracing more accessible for real-time applications and motion graphics.