PRT--a high quality image synthesis system for B-spline surfaces

Many applications in Computer Aided Design require high quality images of three-dimensional scenes. A system is presented for rendering objects designed with an existing B-spline based geometric modeling package. Two algorithms for ray tracing B-spline surfaces are discussed, one using iterative numerical methods and the other using subdivision into polygons. Methods for enhancing the realism and quality of these images, such as penumbras, diffuse reflections, motion blur and antialiasing are also discussed.