Rendering technique tracing light paths for physically accurate global illumination.
Definition
Path Tracing is a Monte Carlo-based rendering method that traces light rays from the camera through the scene, calculating all light interactions (reflection, refraction, scattering) physically correctly.
Application in Practice
Standard for photorealistic rendering in film VFX. Arnold, RenderMan, V-Ray, Cycles utilize Path Tracing. Real-Time Path Tracing in Unreal Engine 5 for ICVFX.
Technical Details
Unbiased Rendering: Mathematically correct convergence. Sampling: More samples = less noise. GPU vs CPU: Massive parallelization. Denoisers significantly accelerate workflow.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
VFX · Technique
Planar Tracking / 2D Planar Tracking / Surface Tracking
Motion tracking technique that follows flat surfaces rather than individual points…
VFX · Technique
Point Tracking / Feature Tracking / Marker Tracking
VFX · Technique
Ray Tracing
VFX · Technique
Object Track / Object Tracking / 3D Object Track / Matchmove Object
VFX · Technique
Tracking Dots
Small colored dots or marks placed on green screens, sets, or actors to provide reference…
VFX · Technique
Tracking Markers / Motion Markers / VFX Markers