Distributed Realistic Visualization of Virtual Scenes Using Textures of Materials’ Physical Parameters

Abstract

The paper proposes distributed methods for realistic rendering of three-dimensional virtual objects using computing abilities of modern graphics processors (GPU). The idea of the considered solutions is to simulate a light reflected from surfaces of virtual environment objects with approximate imitation of their materials’ physical properties. Specifying of such properties is done by means of several textures with special format. Data from these textures are used in pixel shader when reflected light is calculated on GPU by own illumination model. The proposed model is the modification of the Cook-Torrance BRDF model and allows simulating in virtual environment both different light source types and shadows cast by objects. Created methods and algorithms are based on using of distributed computing on modern multi-core GPUs and support real-time visualization of complicated high polygonal virtual scenes. This provides their applicability in virtual environment systems and simulation-training complexes. Based on proposed solutions, software modules for 3D scene visualization systems are created. The modules allow performing realistic rendering of virtual environment objects.