Parallel implementation of an interactive ray-tracing algorithm

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1995

Authors

António Augusto de Sousa (Author) FEUP; Ferreira, FN (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Computing systems in engineering

Vol. 6 No. 4-5

Pages: 409-414

ISSN: 0956-0521

Publisher: Pergamon Press - Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-GGZ

DOI: 10.1016/0956-0521(95)00037-2

Abstract (EN): One of the most-used rendering algorithms in Computer Graphics is the Ray-Tracing. The ''standard'' (Whited like) Ray-Tracing(1) is a good rendering algorithm but with a drawback: the time necessary to produce an image is too large (several hours of CPU time are necessary to make a good picture of a moderately sophisticated 3D scene) and the image is only ready to be observed at the end of processing. This kind of situation is difficult to accept in systems where interactivity is the first goal. ''Increasing Realism'' In Ray-Tracing tries to avoid the problem by supplying the user with a preview of the final image. This preview can be calculated in a considerably shorter time but permits that, with some margin of error, the user can imagine (even see, sometimes) some final effects. With more processing time the image quality continues improving without loss of previous results. The user can, at any time, interrupt the session if the image does not match what he wants. Simultaneously with the above idea, it is necessary to accelerate image production. Parallelism is then justified by the need of more processing power. The aim of this text is to describe the Interactive Ray-Tracing Algorithm implementation, using a parallel architecture based on Transputers. An overview of the architecture used is presented and the main parallel processes and related problems are discussed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6