Photon Shooting with Programmable Scalar Contribution Function

What is it about?

This paper improves rendering of scenes with tricky lighting (e.g., dim rooms lit through cracks). Traditional methods waste photons in hidden areas, creating noise. The authors’ method guides photons to critical visible spots using camera perspective and light paths, reducing noise faster. Results show clearer images than current techniques, useful for games and films

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This paper leverages visual importance, photon density, and visibility to guide light simulation—unlike prior methods using 1-2 factors. By prioritizing "critical" areas (e.g., dim corners, narrow light paths), it reduces noise faster in complex scenes.