Volumetric Caustics

Volumetric caustics also known as volume caustics, is a type of caustic lighting (raytraced reflections from refractive objects). They are used when its not just the surface of an object that refracts the light, but the light direction changes one or multiple times as it passes through the inside of the object. In other words, it is used with volumetric modelling.

This is the type of caustics that is able to create complex patterns of lighting from interactions with moving fluids and gasses, where the refraction does not just happen at a single point, but at muliple, each point triggering a caustic trace, and potentially creating a complex caustic network.

Because of the high processing overhead of volumetric caustics, they are best kept to limited areas, where possible. Whilst they do produce intensely realistic reflection patterns, they are extremely computationally expensive to render.

See Also: Caustics, Volumetric Modelling, Caustic Network

Below, we offer a selection of links from our resource databases which may match this term.

Caustic Shading Caustics Volume Caustics

Volumetric Caustics

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Inexpensive Underwater Caustics Using Cg
A look at creating aesthetically pleasing, realistic water movements, using caustics - for ultra-realism for low processing power.

Volumetric Rendering in Realtime
A brief but thorough multi-part article from Gamasutra, on creating volumetric rendering in real-time, for use in fog, fluid, and other effects, which correctly affect light at any point through them.

Perspecta: Volumetric 3D Display

The Perspecta display system was released by Actuality Systems in May 2005. Its intended purpose is as a 3D volumetric display capable of projecting a virtual object right in front of you.

Analysing Typhoons for Future Use
NASA has unveiled a weather satellite capable of converting any typhoon into a 3D volumetric map in unprecedented detail, in real-time. These maps being extremely useful for both dedicated weather simulators and interactive 3D environments alike.

VR Interfaces: Perspecta
A technical look at the Perspecta suspended display system, released by Actuality Systems in May 2005. Its intended purpose is as a 3D volumetric display capable of projecting a virtual object right in front of you.

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