Summary: The Ray Tracing Kernel
David Kirk* and James Arvo, Apollo Computer, Inc.,
330 Billerica, Chelmsford, MA 01824, USA.
*current address: California Institute of Technology,
Computer Science 256­80, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
Abstract
We describe a methodology for implementing
a ray tracer which provides both a convenient
testbed for developing new algorithms and a way
to exploit the growing number of acceleration
techniques. These benefits are a natural conse­
quence of a collection of data abstractions called
the ray tracing kernel. By defining an object in
a broad sense, the kernel allows a single abstrac­
tion to encapsulate a wide spectrum of concepts
including geometric primitives, acceleration tech­
niques, CSG operators, and object transforma­
tions. Through hierarchical nesting of instances
of these objects we are able to construct and effi­
ciently render complex environments.

Source: Arvo, Jim - Departments of Information and Computer Science & Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Irvine

Collections: Computer Technologies and Information Sciences