Transparency Modeling for Mesh Object Using Ray Tracing

Rendering is a visualization process captures a 3D
environment into 2D image. One of various rendering methods is
ray tracing. Ray tracing can produce a photorealistic image
because it involves several calculations, lighting effects and optic
effects. Lighting effects will calculate ambient, diffuse and
specular. Optic effects will be gotten from calculation of mirror
effect and transparency.
To simulate transparency, we need to consider the material,
in this case will represent by its refractive index. To calculate an
accurate refraction ray, first the transparent object will be
assumed as a solid object. So, the ray will travel inside the object
before refract outside the object. Finally, every non-transparent
object will keep the ray fall on its surface into an energy map.
Some experiments had done to verify if the caustic effect
visualized correctly. The other experiments are conducted to test
the influent of refractive index, number of casted ray, light
energy and map size toward the caustic’s appearance. The more
number of casted ray, higher light energy and bigger map size
will produce brighter and wider caustic effect. The object’s shape
will affect where rays refracted. Round shape will gather the
refracted ray into a small dense area.