Software algorithms for hardware ray tracing

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Title Software algorithms for hardware ray tracing
Publication Type dissertation
School or College College of Engineering
Department Computing
Author Kensler, Andrew E.
Date 2011-05
Description This dissertation explores three key facets of software algorithms for custom hardware ray tracing: primitive intersection, shading, and acceleration structure construction. For the first, primitive intersection, we show how nearly all of the existing direct three-dimensional (3D) ray-triangle intersection tests are mathematically equivalent. Based on this, a genetic algorithm can automatically tune a ray-triangle intersection test for maximum speed on a particular architecture. We also analyze the components of the intersection test to determine how much floating point precision is required and design a numerically robust intersection algorithm. Next, for shading, we deconstruct Perlin noise into its basic parts and show how these can be modified to produce a gradient noise algorithm that improves the visual appearance. This improved algorithm serves as the basis for a hardware noise unit. Lastly, we show how an existing bounding volume hierarchy can be postprocessed using tree rotations to further reduce the expected cost to traverse a ray through it. This postprocessing also serves as the basis for an efficient update algorithm for animated geometry. Together, these contributions should improve the efficiency of both software- and hardware-based ray tracers.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Animation; Bounding volume hierarchies; Graphics; Perlin noise; Ray tracing; Ray-triangle; Ray tracing algorithms
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name Doctor of Philosophy
Language eng
Rights Management Copyright © Andrew E. Kensler 2011
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 10,946,357 bytes
Identifier us-etd3,30387
Source Original housed in Marriott Library Special Collections, QA3.5 2011 .K46
ARK ark:/87278/s60p1drm
Setname ir_etd
ID 194683
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s60p1drm
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