Summary: A Framework for the Analysis of Error
in Global Illumination Algorithms
James Arvo
Kenneth Torrance
Brian Smits
Program of Computer Graphics \Lambda
Cornell University
Abstract
In this paper we identify sources of error in global illumination al­
gorithms and derive bounds for each distinct category. Errors arise
from three sources: inaccuracies in the boundary data, discretiza­
tion, and computation. Boundary data consist of surface geometry,
reflectance functions, and emission functions, all of which may be
perturbed by errors in measurement or simulation, or by simpli­
fications made for computational efficiency. Discretization error
is introduced by replacing the continuous radiative transfer equa­
tion with a finite­dimensional linear system, usually by means of
boundaryelements and a corresponding projection method. Finally,
computational errors perturb the finite­dimensional linear system
through imprecise form factors, inner products, visibility, etc., as

Source: Arvo, Jim - Departments of Information and Computer Science & Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Irvine
Smits, Brian - Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville CA

Collections: Computer Technologies and Information Sciences