Volumetric lighting

Volumetric lighting is a technique used in 3D computer graphics to add Tyndall-effect lighting to a rendered scene. The term seems to have been introduced from cinematography and is now widely applied to 3D modelling and rendering especially in the field of 3D gaming. It allows the viewer to see beams of light shining through the environment; seeing sunbeams streaming through an open window is an example of volumetric lighting, also known as God rays.

In volumetric lighting, the light cone emitted by a light source is modeled as a transparent object and considered as a container of a "volume": as a result, light has the capability to give the effect of passing through an actual three dimensional medium (such as fog, dust, smoke, or steam) that is inside its volume, just like in the real world.

See also

* Tyndall effect
* Crepuscular rays
* Airglow
* God rays

External links

* [http://www.art-head-start.com/tutorial-volumetric.html Volumetric lighting tutorial at Art Head Start]
* [http://www.tweak3d.net/3ddictionary/ 3D graphics terms dictionary at Tweak3D.net]