Rendering discrete participating media using geometrical optics approximation

Abstract We consider the scattering of light in participating media composed sparsely and randomly distributed discrete particles. The particle size is expected to range from scale wavelength several orders magnitude greater, resulting an appearance with distinct graininess as opposed smooth continuous media. One fundamental issue physically-based synthesis such determine necessary optical properties every local region. Since these vary spatially, we resort geometrical optics approximation (GOA), a highly efficient alternative rigorous Lorenz—Mie theory, quantitatively represent single particle. This enables us quickly compute bulk for any distribution. then use practical Monte Carlo rendering solution solve energy transfer Our proposed framework first simulate wide different levels graininess, converging case concentration increases.