Efficient models for representing sub-pixel appearances

Mots clé :

• level-of-detail
• prefiltering
• computer graphics

We address the problem of rendering extremely complex virtual scenes with large amounts of detail. We focus on high-end off-line rendering algorithms based on path tracing that are intensively used in the special effects and 3D animation industries. The large amounts of detail required for creating believable virtual worlds raise important efficiency problems that paralyze production rendering pipelines and greatly complicate the work of 3D artists. We introduce new algorithms for prefiltering complex 3D assets while preserving their appearance at all scales, in order to reduce loading times, ray intersection costs, shading costs and Monte Carlo noise, without lowering the quality of rendered frames. Our main contributions are a new hybrid LOD approach that combines the benefits of meshes and volumetric representations for prefiltering complex 3D assets, as well as a new approach for prefiltering high-resolution heterogeneous participating media.

Directeurs:

• Mr Fabrice Neyret (Directeur de recherche - CNRS )

Raporteurs:

• Mr Steve Marschner (Professeur - Cornell university )
• Mr Daniel Meneveaux (Professeur - Université de Poitiers )

Examinateurs:

• Mr Wenzel Jakob (Professeur assistant - École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne )
• Mme Emilie Guy (Chercheur - Dynamixyz Rennes )