Space Deformation using Ray Deflectors

In this paper we introduce a new approach to the deformation of surface and raster models in two and three dimensions. Rather then deforming the objects in the model, we deform the rays used to render the scene. The mechanism to specify the deformation, which we call a deflector, is a vector of gravity positioned in space. This gravity vector bends any ray that travels through its field of gravity in a view-independent fashion. Images generated by these curved rays give the impression of a deformed space. Unlike previous methods that deform all the objects in the scene, our approach deforms only those parts of the model that contribute to the final image. In addition, using deflectors, our approach can deform any object type that can be rendered by a ray casting algorithm, providing a unified solution to space deformation.