Elsevier

Computers & Graphics

Volume 18, Issue 5, September–October 1994, Pages 723-732
Computers & Graphics

Technical section
Rayfilling: A new method to accelerate ray casting

https://doi.org/10.1016/0097-8493(94)90167-8Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper presents a new method for ray casting solid models described by CSG trees. This new approach accelerates image generation by a reduction of the number of rays analysed in search of an intersection with the objects of a scene. Coherence properties of the projected model, an image filling method and an efficient search of the intersecting rays are the basic assumptions of the approach. The method can be further improved by a progressive refinement technique, so that RayFilling can be used to implement interactive CSG modelling systems. RayFilling allows to visualise a wide variety of primitive solids. This new approach to ray casting solid models can be integrated into existing recursive ray tracing algorithms and reduces therefore the gap between modelling and high quality rendering.

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    Present work is partially funded by CNR, Progetto Finalizzato Sistemi Informatici e Calcolo Parallelo, contract n. 91.00915.PF69.

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