Publication
Diffraction Shaders
Abstract
The reflection of light from surfaces is a fundamental problem in computer graphics. Although many reflection models have been proposed, few take into account the wave nature of light. In this paper, we derive a new class of reflection models for metallic surfaces that handle the effects of diffraction. Diffraction is a purely wave-like phenomenon and cannot be properly modeled using the ray theory of light alone. A common example of a surface which exhibits diffraction is the compact disk. A characteristic of such surfaces is that they reflect light in a very colorful manner. Our model is also a generalization of most reflection models encountered in computer graphics. In particular, we extend the He-Torrance model to handle anisotropic reflections. This is achieved by rederiving, in a more general setting, results from surface wave physics which were taken for granted by other researchers. Specifically, our use of Fourier analysis has enabled us to tackle the difficult task of analyticallycomputing the Kirchhoff integral of surface scattering.
Download publicationRelated Resources
See what’s new.
2016
RetroFab: A Design Tool for Retrofitting Physical Interfaces using Actuators, Sensors and 3D PrintingWe present RetroFab, an end-to-end design and fabrication environment…
2005
PearlView: Non-Disruptive Hyper-List BrowsingWe present PearlView, a graphical UI component helping users to…
2018
Maestro: Designing a System for Real-Time Orchestration of 3D Modeling WorkshopsInstructors of 3D design workshops for children face many challenges,…
2023
Research Conversations with Vivian LiuA former Autodesk Research intern shares her experiences and reflects…
Get in touch
Something pique your interest? Get in touch if you’d like to learn more about Autodesk Research, our projects, people, and potential collaboration opportunities.
Contact us