Method for visualizing volumetric caustics in single-scattering media based on beam tracking

Abstract

A method of visualization of surface and volumetric caustics of reflected and refracted light on mirror surfaces in volume and on functionally specified surfaces consisting of patches of free forms is proposed. Caustics are surfaces near which the intensity of the light field increases sharply. The visualization method tracks the rays of light in the light space when displaying mirror surfaces. Light rays are projected light sources onto patches of free-form scenes. The limiting volumes of caustic rays are determined, thereby reducing the number of calculations. Only caustic rays are calculated, which make the main contribution to the resulting image.