Real-Time Underwater Spectral Rendering

Monzón, Néstor (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Gutierrez, Diego (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Akkaynak, Derya ; Muñoz, Adolfo (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The light field in an underwater environment is characterized by complex multiple scattering interactions and wavelength‐dependent attenuation, requiring significant computational resources for the simulation of underwater scenes. We present a novel approach that makes it possible to simulate multi‐spectral underwater scenes, in a physically‐based manner, in real time. Our key observation is the following: In the vertical direction, the steady decay in irradiance as a function of depth is characterized by the diffuse downwelling attenuation coefficient, which oceanographers routinely measure for different types of waters. We rely on a database of such real‐world measurements to obtain an analytical approximation to the Radiative Transfer Equation, allowing for real‐time spectral rendering with results comparable to Monte Carlo ground‐truth references, in a fraction of the time. We show results simulating underwater appearance for the different optical water types, including volumetric shadows and dynamic, spatially varying lighting near the water surface.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1111/cgf.15009

Año: 2024

Publicado en: Computer Graphics Forum (2024), 11 pp.
ISSN: 0167-7055

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/PID2022-141539NB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Lenguajes y Sistemas Inf. (Dpto. Informát.Ingenie.Sistms.)