Computer graphics lighting
Encyclopedia
Computer graphics lighting refers to the simulation
of light
in computer graphics
. This simulation can either be extremely accurate, as is the case in an application
like Radiance
which attempts to track the energy flow of light interacting with materials using radiosity
computational techniques. Alternatively, the simulation can simply be inspired by light physics, as is the case with non-photorealistic rendering
. In both cases, a shading model is used to describe how surfaces respond to light. Between these two extremes, there are many different rendering
approaches which can be employed to achieve almost any desired visual result.
Computer graphics lighting can also refer to the job
of lighting
in computer animation
. A computer graphics lighter will employ many of the same methods a live-action lighting designer
or gaffer might employ. However, the computer graphics lighter will work within a computer graphics application.
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
of light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
in computer graphics
Computer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
. This simulation can either be extremely accurate, as is the case in an application
Application software
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with...
like Radiance
Radiance
Radiance and spectral radiance are radiometric measures that describe the amount of radiation such as light or radiant heat that passes through or is emitted from a particular area, and falls within a given solid angle in a specified direction. They are used to characterize both emission from...
which attempts to track the energy flow of light interacting with materials using radiosity
Radiosity
Radiosity is a global illumination algorithm used in 3D computer graphics rendering. Radiosity is an application of the finite element method to solving the rendering equation for scenes with purely diffuse surfaces...
computational techniques. Alternatively, the simulation can simply be inspired by light physics, as is the case with non-photorealistic rendering
Non-photorealistic rendering
Non-Photorealistic rendering is an area of computer graphics that focuses on enabling a wide variety of expressive styles for digital art. In contrast to traditional computer graphics, which has focused on photorealism, NPR is inspired by artistic styles such as painting, drawing, technical...
. In both cases, a shading model is used to describe how surfaces respond to light. Between these two extremes, there are many different rendering
Rendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
approaches which can be employed to achieve almost any desired visual result.
Computer graphics lighting can also refer to the job
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
of lighting
Lighting
Lighting or illumination is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight...
in computer animation
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
. A computer graphics lighter will employ many of the same methods a live-action lighting designer
Lighting designer
The role of the lighting designer within theatre is to work with the director, choreographer, set designer, costume designer, and sound designer to create an overall 'look' for the show in response to the text, while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety and cost...
or gaffer might employ. However, the computer graphics lighter will work within a computer graphics application.
See also
- ShaderShaderIn the field of computer graphics, a shader is a computer program that is used primarily to calculate rendering effects on graphics hardware with a high degree of flexibility...
- List of common shading algorithms
- Deferred shadingDeferred shadingIn computer graphics, deferred shading is a three dimensional shading technique in which the result of a shading algorithm is calculated by dividing it into smaller parts that are written to intermediate buffer storage to be combined later, instead of immediately writing the shader result to the...
- High dynamic range renderingHigh dynamic range renderingIn 3D computer graphics, high dynamic range rendering , also known as high dynamic range lighting, is the rendering of computer graphics scenes by using lighting calculations done in a larger dynamic range. This allows preservation of details that may be lost due to limiting contrast ratios...