Chambers wrote:
> I might ramble here, but anyway...
> 
> Just thinking about variable IOR today, and I reread the section of the 
> VFAQ on it.

To be frank - if you have read the VFAQ and still think variable IOR 
would make sense in raytracing you probably either have not read it 
thoroughly or did not fully understand it.

The explanation mentions media to illustrate the approach necessary to 
try simulating variable IOR but makes it very clear and explains why the 
results would be completely dissatisfying.  While scattering media has 
an inherent smoothing effect - small features as well as errors in the 
simulation are smoothed out - refraction of light has not!

This is a property of the underlying mathematical equations describing 
the physical effects and therefore you can't overcome this by more 
intelligent simulation techniques.

And if you don't believe this you can easily test it yourself BTW - the 
VFAQ mentions how:  Replace your single object with a lot of smaller 
ones with slightly different IOR.  This will give you a realistic 
impression of the quality of results and the rendering speed of such a 
simulation.

Christoph

-- 
POV-Ray tutorials, include files, Landscape of the week:
http://www.imagico.de/ (Last updated 31 Oct. 2005)
MegaPOV with mechanics simulation: http://megapov.inetart.net/

Post a reply to this message