Ray Tracing Acceleration Structure Generation Using Occlusion Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ray tracing methods face high computational costs due to the complexity of generating and traversing acceleration structures in three-dimensional rendering, particularly in spatially splitting scenes and conducting intersection tests.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for generating an acceleration structure in a ray tracing system by splitting a 3D object into subspaces, calculating traversal costs based on occlusion information using ambient occlusion rays, and selecting subspaces that minimize these costs to optimize the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spatial splitting is performed to generate acceleration structure, then image quality is improved, but computational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the 3D space into multiple subspaces using splitting planes. This allows the acceleration structure to be organized hierarchically, improving ray traversal efficiency while maintaining manageable computational complexity through localized processing in each subspace.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating occlusion information for primitives using ambient occlusion rays before actual ray tracing. This pre-computed data is stored and reused during ray traversal, avoiding redundant calculations and reducing overall computational cost.
2Manufacturing precision
If more sub spaces are created for finer splitting, then rendering precision is improved, but traversal time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes parameters by using occlusion information values (between 0 and 1) to weight the cost calculation. This allows the system to adaptively balance between fine splitting for precision and coarse splitting for speed, optimizing the trade-off based on the actual occlusion characteristics of primitives in each subspace.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by calculating occlusion information specifically for primitives in regions where it matters most. By using ambient occlusion rays to determine local occlusion characteristics, the system can create finer splits in densely occluded regions while using coarser splits in open regions, optimizing both precision and traversal time.
3Reliability
If occlusion information calculation is performed for all primitives, then traversal accuracy is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by calculating occlusion information only for primitives that are likely to be intersected by rays, rather than all primitives in the scene. The occlusion information is used to weight the traversal cost, allowing the system to focus computational effort on relevant primitives and reduce overall processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an apparatus and method for generating an acceleration structure in a ray tracing system. The method of generating an acceleration structure includes splitting, at an acceleration structure generator, a space comprising a three-dimensional (3D) object into a plurality of sub spaces, calculating costs for traversing the plurality of sub spaces based on occlusion information of primitives in the plurality of sub spaces, selecting the plurality of sub spaces that minimize the costs for traversing, and generating an acceleration structure based on setting the selected plurality of sub spaces as nodes.