Shadow Voxel Light Probe Layout for Consistent Global Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The distribution of light probes in virtual scenes requires significant memory and time due to even distribution across a lattice, and existing methods lead to inconsistent density and through-wall effects.

Innovation Solution

A method involving selecting shadow points in a virtual scene, converting them into voxelized shadow voxel objects, reducing vertexes, and generating light probes at these vertex positions, allowing for on-demand distribution based on local conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If light probes are evenly distributed according to a lattice in a virtual scene, then the light coverage is comprehensive, but the memory consumption and distribution time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight coverageVSAvoidmemory consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dynamically adjusting light probe density based on local scene characteristics. Complex scenes with strong light-shading relationships receive more probes, while simple scenes receive fewer probes. This is implemented through a two-stage process: first generating probes uniformly, then redistributing them based on scene complexity assessment, achieving both comprehensive coverage and memory efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the light probe distribution adaptive rather than static. The system automatically adjusts probe quantity and distribution based on real-time scene analysis, transitioning from a fixed lattice distribution to a dynamic distribution that responds to scene complexity, thereby optimizing memory usage without sacrificing coverage quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If light probes are evenly distributed according to a lattice, then the distribution is systematic, but the distribution time consumes a large amount of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution systematicityVSAvoiddistribution time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating light probes uniformly distributed in the virtual scene before performing any redistribution. This initial uniform distribution provides a systematic foundation that ensures comprehensive coverage, while subsequent redistribution based on scene complexity optimizes the distribution without requiring complete regeneration, thereby reducing overall distribution time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the light probe distribution process into two distinct stages: first generating probes uniformly across the scene, then redistributing them based on local scene complexity. This segmentation allows the system to maintain systematic distribution while reducing time consumption by avoiding complete regeneration and only performing redistribution where necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If light probes are placed in a condensed pattern around areas with complex light, then the light effect accuracy is improved, but the distribution becomes inconsistent and through-wall effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight effect accuracyVSAvoiddistribution consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing local quality through differential probe distribution. The system assesses scene complexity locally and allocates more light probes to areas with complex lighting relationships while maintaining appropriate spacing. This prevents both over-concentration (which causes through-wall effects) and under-concentration (which reduces accuracy), achieving both precision and consistency through localized adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3989175B1Illumination probe generation method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer device
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3989175B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3989175B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3989175B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present application relates to an illumination probe generation method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer device, said method comprising: selecting a shadow point of a target object in a virtual scene; converting the selected shadow point into a voxelized shadow voxel object; reducing the number of vertices in the shadow voxel object to obtain a reduced shadow voxel object; generating an illumination probe at the vertex position of the shadow voxel object after the vertices are reduced.