BRDF Representation and Acquisition

TLDR

Photorealistic rendering of real‑world materials is crucial across many domains, yet accurate appearance depends on complex light‑surface interactions, making BRDF representation and acquisition a key research focus. This survey aims to review BRDF models and acquisition techniques for capturing photorealistic material appearance. The authors review existing BRDF models and acquisition methods used to capture and render photorealistic materials.

Abstract

Abstract Photorealistic rendering of real world environments is important in a range of different areas; including Visual Special effects, Interior/Exterior Modelling, Architectural Modelling, Cultural Heritage, Computer Games and Automotive Design. Currently, rendering systems are able to produce photorealistic simulations of the appearance of many real‐world materials. In the real world, viewer perception of objects depends on the lighting and object/material/surface characteristics, the way a surface interacts with the light and on how the light is reflected, scattered, absorbed by the surface and the impact these characteristics have on material appearance. In order to re‐produce this, it is necessary to understand how materials interact with light. Thus the representation and acquisition of material models has become such an active research area. This survey of the state‐of‐the‐art of BRDF Representation and Acquisition presents an overview of BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function) models used to represent surface/material reflection characteristics, and describes current acquisition methods for the capture and rendering of photorealistic materials.