A radiosity solution for random fractal surfaces
Enhua Wu · The Journal of Visualization and Computer Animation · 1995
Abstract Fractal geometry provides an outstanding mathematical tool for simulating natural phenomena. However, the recursive process of stochastic modelling in generating random fractals puts forward difficult problems in the rendering. At present, only some special ray tracing methods have been provided to render fractals, mainly producing specular illumination. This paper proposes a radiosity solution for rendering random fractals, in which diffuse interreflection can be calculated in the process of stochastic modelling. By this solution, the recursive process of fractal generation is naturally incorporated into the progressive refinement procedure of the radiosity solution. Particularly, it becomes possible for fractal surfaces to participate in the energy shooting process of the radiosity solution. The key problem in the proposed approach is in calculating the radiosity redistribution for fractal subdivision. An algorithm for solving the problem has been proposed and implemented. Test examples show that the method is quite efficient. The technique may improve the visual realism of the radiosity image and promote the practical value of the radiosity solution.