Three-dimensional Texturing Using Lattices

This paper describes a way to perform realistic three-dimensional texturing of ray-traced objects with irregular surfaces. Such texturing has been done in the past with texture mapping, particle systems, or volumetric methods. We propose an alternative to these called a lattice. Lattices work as fast but inexact ray tracers. As long as lattices are used for small objects, though, the inexactness doesn’t show on the scale of the display, and the result is acceptable. The paper shows how lattices can be integrated with a more traditional ray tracer, with several examples. Time and memory space considerations are major constraints on lattices, preventing widespread practical application at the present time. The paper discusses these limitations and how they might be reduced.