Method and system for efficient modeling of specular reflection
First Claim
1. In a computerized architectural design environment in which a design program is loaded into memory and processed at a central processing unit, a computer-implemented method for rendering a specular effect within a three-dimensional model, the method comprising:
- creating a map that comprises a representation of at least one light source within the three-dimensional model, wherein;
the at least one light source represented in the map is represented by at least one specular intensity gradient that comprises an attenuating gradient that is determined at least in part by a particular reflective surface type, andthe map comprises two or more specular intensity gradients with different rates of attenuation;
casting a viewpoint ray to an object surface point, wherein the viewpoint ray comprises a ray extending from a user perspective within the three-dimensional model;
casting a reflection ray of the viewpoint ray;
identifying an intersection point between the reflection ray and the map, wherein the intersection point comprises a particular specular intensity gradient value based upon at least one of the two or more specular intensity gradients that is determined at least in part by the particular reflective surface type;
calculating a specular effect on the object surface point based on the intersection point between the reflection ray and the map, wherein the specular effect is calculated at least in part based upon the particular specular intensity gradient value; and
displaying the map that comprises the representation of the at least one light source within the three-dimensional model.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus allow for the real-time rendering of specular effects within a three-dimensional model. At least one implementation allows a user to create a map that comprises a representation of at least one light source within a three-dimensional model. Furthermore, at least one implementation casts a viewpoint ray to an object surface point, wherein the viewpoint ray comprises a ray extending from a user perspective within the three-dimensional model. Additionally, at least one implementation casts a reflection ray of the viewpoint ray. Further, at least one implementation identifies an intersection point between the reflection ray and the map. Still further, at least one implementation calculates the specular reflection of the object surface point based on the intersection point.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a computerized architectural design environment in which a design program is loaded into memory and processed at a central processing unit, a computer-implemented method for rendering a specular effect within a three-dimensional model, the method comprising:
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creating a map that comprises a representation of at least one light source within the three-dimensional model, wherein; the at least one light source represented in the map is represented by at least one specular intensity gradient that comprises an attenuating gradient that is determined at least in part by a particular reflective surface type, and the map comprises two or more specular intensity gradients with different rates of attenuation; casting a viewpoint ray to an object surface point, wherein the viewpoint ray comprises a ray extending from a user perspective within the three-dimensional model; casting a reflection ray of the viewpoint ray; identifying an intersection point between the reflection ray and the map, wherein the intersection point comprises a particular specular intensity gradient value based upon at least one of the two or more specular intensity gradients that is determined at least in part by the particular reflective surface type; calculating a specular effect on the object surface point based on the intersection point between the reflection ray and the map, wherein the specular effect is calculated at least in part based upon the particular specular intensity gradient value; and displaying the map that comprises the representation of the at least one light source within the three-dimensional model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a computerized architectural design environment in which a design program is loaded into memory and processed at a central processing unit, a computer-implemented method for rendering a specular effect within a three-dimensional model, the method comprising:
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rendering a three-dimensional model, the three-dimensional model comprising at least one light source; creating two or more maps of a plane within the three-dimensional model, the two or more maps each comprising a specular intensity gradient representation of the at least one light source; creating a first attenuating gradient of specular intensity on a first map of the two or more maps, the first attenuating gradient being calculated based upon a first surface reflectivity value; creating a second attenuating gradient of specular intensity on a second map of the two or more maps, the second attenuating gradient being calculated based upon a second surface reflectivity value, which is different from the first surface reflectivity value; casting a first ray from a rendered surface within the three-dimensional model to the first map; identifying a first intersection point between the first ray and the first attenuating gradient of specular intensity on the first map of the two or more maps; casting a second ray from the rendered surface within the three-dimensional model to the second map; identifying a second intersection point between the second ray and the second attenuating gradient of specular intensity on the second map of the two or more maps; determining that a surface reflectivity value of the rendered surface within the three-dimensional model is between the first surface reflectivity value and the second surface reflectivity value; and calculating a specular reflection of the rendered surface based on the intersection points by interpolating between information stored at the first intersection point and information stored at the second intersection point. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer system for efficiently rendering specular effect, comprising:
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one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors configure the computer system to perform at least the following; create a map that comprises a representation of at least one light source within a three-dimensional model, wherein; the at least one light source represented in the map is represented by at least one specular intensity gradient that comprises an attenuating gradient that is determined at least in part by a particular reflective surface type, and that map comprises two or more specular intensity gradients with different rates of attenuation; cast a viewpoint ray to an object surface point, wherein the viewpoint ray comprises a ray extending from a user perspective within the three-dimensional model casting a reflection ray of the viewpoint ray; identify an intersection point between the reflection ray and the map, wherein the intersection point comprises a particular gradient value based upon at least one of the two or more specular intensity gradients that is determined at least in part by the particular reflective surface type; calculate the specular reflection of the object surface point based on the intersection point between the reflection ray and the map, wherein the specular effect is calculated at least in part based upon the particular gradient value; and display the map that comprises the representation of the at least one light source within the three-dimensional model.
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Specification