<p>Raytracing is one of the techniques that trace the light as it moves through the scene.
This can, depending on the implementation, also include effects such as refraction, reflection and scattering.</p>

<p>Raytracing and similar techniques (see Monte-Carlo Pathtracing for example) all are based on the idea to solve the so called rendering equation.
The equation is a long known equation that describes the physically correct amount of light we can see for at each point (this means mathematical infinitesimal point, not pixel!).
By (approximally) solving this equation the mentioned rendering techniques are indeed able to render "all" scenes. The only real limiting factors are that it is hard to solve the equation for some effects and the huge amount of computation you need to solve it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-07T16:34:09.477Z
i wouldnt say we can render all effects. We can render most effects we know of. But rarely do we have the time to program in all effects.
joojaa
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-06T19:49:41.333Z
2015-10-06T19:49:41.333Z
Dragonseel
<p>Raytracing "sees" the pixel on the other side of the screen;
but doesn't this mean the rays traced can be computationally reflected and refracted imitating the properties of actual light?</p>

<p>It'd be exciting if it were possible. Any visual scene possible outside computer graphics will be possible just using physics equations.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-06T13:59:46.793Z
Raytracers which render reflections and refractions have been ubiquitous for many many years.
Rotem
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-06T14:39:52.620Z
Path tracing does just that: bounces rays around the scene using the properties of the surfaces it hits to determine bounces.  http://www.thepolygoners.com/tutorials/GIIntro/GIIntro.htm http://www.iquilezles.org/www/articles/simplepathtracing/simplepathtracing.htm
RichieSams
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-08T14:26:19.093Z
Youd likely be interested in reading about how the used raytracing techniques to render the black hole in the movie interstellar. They used realistic physics equations and the result was so interesting that they were able to publish a scientific research paper with the results.  http://www.wired.com/2014/10/astrophysics-interstellar-black-hole/
Alan Wolfe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-18T06:21:44.070Z
Because we currently render movies using . . . magic?
geometrian
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-10T15:53:05.530Z
Here's a good introduction to monte carlo path tracing, which does what you describe - it uses monte carlo integration to try and solve the rendering equation.  It makes for very nice results, but takes a long time to render with the naive implementation.  It's still a very active are of research.
http://blog.demofox.org/2016/09/21/path-tracing-getting-started-with-diffuse-and-emissive/
Alan Wolfe
<raytracing><reflection>
Can raytracing be used to imitate the behavior of light to a higher degree?
Loogai
# Can raytracing be used to imitate the behavior of light to a higher degree?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-10-06)

Raytracing "sees" the pixel on the other side of the screen;
but doesn't this mean the rays traced can be computationally reflected and refracted imitating the properties of actual light?

It'd be exciting if it were possible. Any visual scene possible outside computer graphics will be possible just using physics equations.

**Tags:** raytracing, reflection

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Raytracers which render reflections and refractions have been ubiquitous for many many years.  
> **username_2**: Path tracing does just that: bounces rays around the scene using the properties of the surfaces it hits to determine bounces.  http://www.thepolygoners.com/tutorials/GIIntro/GIIntro.htm http://www.iquilezles.org/www/articles/simplepathtracing/simplepathtracing.htm  
> **username_3**: Youd likely be interested in reading about how the used raytracing techniques to render the black hole in the movie interstellar. They used realistic physics equations and the result was so interesting that they were able to publish a scientific research paper with the results.  http://www.wired.com/2014/10/astrophysics-interstellar-black-hole/  
> **username_4**: Because we currently render movies using . . . magic?  
> **username_3**: Here's a good introduction to monte carlo path tracing, which does what you describe - it uses monte carlo integration to try and solve the rendering equation.  It makes for very nice results, but takes a long time to render with the naive implementation.  It's still a very active are of research. http://blog.demofox.org/2016/09/21/path-tracing-getting-started-with-diffuse-and-emissive/  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2015-10-06. Score: 2

Raytracing is one of the techniques that trace the light as it moves through the scene.
This can, depending on the implementation, also include effects such as refraction, reflection and scattering.

Raytracing and similar techniques (see Monte-Carlo Pathtracing for example) all are based on the idea to solve the so called rendering equation.
The equation is a long known equation that describes the physically correct amount of light we can see for at each point (this means mathematical infinitesimal point, not pixel!).
By (approximally) solving this equation the mentioned rendering techniques are indeed able to render "all" scenes. The only real limiting factors are that it is hard to solve the equation for some effects and the huge amount of computation you need to solve it.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: i wouldnt say we can render all effects. We can render most effects we know of. But rarely do we have the time to program in all effects.  

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