Realistic Image Synthesis Using Photon Mapping

by Henrik Wann Jensen

Photon mapping, a recent development in computer graphics, is a global illumination technique for realistic image synthesis. Written by the developer of the photon mapping algorithm, this text describes ways of simulating illumination in a variety of settings. This computer graphics technique should not be confused with the physics technique of the same name (although the concepts are similar). The text is accompanied by b&w and color illustrations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Hardcover

First published July 15, 2001

Reviews

[Mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

The UCSD Prof. sheds a lot of light into the absolute basics. A very good "first" book for anyone interested in Realistic Image Synthesis using Global Illumination. It's not just about photon mapping; Rather the initial chapters give a very good overview (and drawbacks) of other approaches of solving GI.

I was very much interested in learning the nitty-gritty details, particularly for rendering (realistic) caustic effects, and enjoyed the whole book and the umpteen number of high dimensional integrals and derivations of the same giving a good intuition for the Monte Carlo Integration.

All in all, I highly recommend this book!

[Peb · Rating 5 out of 5]

after long journey learning about realistic image synthesis which stucked on lame ol' raytracing. :P

this book really is an enlightenment.
it gives the big picture of all i've read in other books about realistic image synthesis (Radiosity (Cohen), Focus on Photon Mapping, etc.)

the main differences is this book taught me practical implementations of photon map data structure.

the journey's path :
whitted RT -> monte carlo RT -> Path Tracing -> Photon Mapping
which described in this book is quite tightly connected which is quite easy to comprehend.

wish i had my own hardcopy.