A Ray Tracing Approach to Diffusion Curves

dc.contributor.authorBowers, John C.en_US
dc.contributor.authorLeahey, Jonathanen_US
dc.contributor.authorWang, Ruien_US
dc.contributor.editorRavi Ramamoorthi and Erik Reinharden_US
dc.date.accessioned2015-02-27T14:46:04Z
dc.date.available2015-02-27T14:46:04Z
dc.date.issued2011en_US
dc.description.abstractDiffusion curves [OBW*08] provide a flexible tool to create smooth-shaded images from curves defined with colors. The resulting image is typically computed by solving a Poisson equation that diffuses the curve colors to the interior of the image. In this paper we present a new method for solving diffusion curves by using ray tracing. Our approach is analogous to final gathering in global illumination, where the curves define source radiance whose visible contribution will be integrated at a shading pixel to produce a color using stochastic ray tracing. Compared to previous work, the main benefit of our method is that it provides artists with extended flexibility in achieving desired image effects. Specifically, we introduce generalized curve colors called shaders that allow for the seamless integration of diffusion curves with classic 2D graphics including vector graphics (e.g. gradient fills) and raster graphics (e.g. patterns and textures). We also introduce several extended curve attributes to customize the contribution of each curve. In addition, our method allows any pixel in the image to be independently evaluated, without having to solve the entire image globally (as required by a Poisson-based approach). Finally, we present a GPU-based implementation that generates solution images at interactive rates, enabling dynamic curve editing. Results show that our method can easily produce a variety of desirable image effects.en_US
dc.description.seriesinformationComputer Graphics Forumen_US
dc.identifier.issn1467-8659en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8659.2011.01994.xen_US
dc.publisherThe Eurographics Association and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.en_US
dc.titleA Ray Tracing Approach to Diffusion Curvesen_US
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