Acquiring and Using Realistic Re ectance Data in ComputerGraphics

Graphics Images Joel DeYoung, Paul Lalonde, and Alain Fournier University of British Columbia Department of Computer Science 201-2366 Main Mall Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4 fdeyoung,lalonde,[email protected] Abstract Analytical models of light re ection are in common use in computer graphics. However, as the sophistication of rendering methods has increased, analytical models have become less adequate for generating images. Re ectance data obtained by empirically measuring real world surfaces is needed to create more realistic looking images. In this paper we examine several issues relevant to using measured re ectance functions in generating computer graphics images. We give an overview of the techniques involved in measuring and tabulating re ectance data. We compare and contrast measured re ectance functions with analytical illumination models, and evaluate several methods for interpolating tabulated re ectance functions. We also highlight potential areas of future research.