RayTracer

A high-performance 3D rendering engine based on ray tracing technology that simulates the behavior of light to generate photorealistic images.

Sample render featuring spheres with different materials (Phong, metal, mirror) and a pyramid on a flat surface

RayTracer is a physically-based rendering engine that creates stunning images by tracing the path of light through a virtual scene. Unlike traditional 3D modeling software, RayTracer allows you to create complex scenes simply by describing them in a text-based configuration file.

Key Features:

• Physically accurate light simulation
• Multiple primitive types (spheres, planes, cones, cylinders, pyramids)
• Advanced material system (flat color, phong, mirror, metal, glass)
• Realistic reflections and lighting effects
• Multi-threaded rendering for optimal performance
• Extensible plugin architecture
• Real-time preview with SFML

• C++ compiler
• Make build system
• libconfig++ (for parsing configuration files)
• SFML library (for real-time visualization)

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/EpiCorp/raytracer.git
   cd raytracer

2. Build the project:

   make

This will compile the main executable and all plugins.

To render a scene:

./raytracer <scene_file.cfg>

This will output a PPM image to stdout, which you can redirect to a file:

./raytracer scenes/example.cfg > output.ppm

To view the render in a window with real-time camera controls:

./raytracer <scene_file.cfg> -r

In interactive mode, you can navigate the scene using the following keyboard controls:

• Arrow keys: Move camera horizontally
• Space/Shift: Move camera up/down
• Q/D: Rotate camera horizontally
• Z/S: Rotate camera vertically
• Escape: Exit the application

RayTracer uses configuration files (.cfg) to define scenes. These files specify the camera parameters, primitives, materials, and lighting setup.

Example scene configuration:

camera = 
{
    resolution = { width = 1920; height = 1080; };
    position = { x = 0; y = -100; z = 20; };
    rotation = { x = 0; y = 0; z = 0; };
    fieldOfView = 72.0;
};

primitives = 
{
    spheres = (
        {
            x = 0; y = 0; z = 20; r = 25;
            color = { r = 255; g = 0; b = 0; };
            material = { type = "phong"; ambient = 0.2; diffuse = 0.7; specular = 0.8; shininess = 64.0; };
        }
    );
    
    planes = (
        { 
            axis = "Z"; position = -20; 
            color = { r = 200; g = 200; b = 200; };
            material = { type = "flat_color"; };
        }
    );
};

lights = 
{
    ambient = 0.2;
    diffuse = 0.8;
    
    point = (
        { x = 0; y = 0; z = 50; color = { r = 255; g = 255; b = 255; }; }
    );
};

For more detailed information on creating scene configurations, please refer to the Configuration Reference.

Scene with different material types including Phong shading, metallic reflection, and mirror effects

• Technical Documentation - Detailed explanation of the architecture and algorithms
• User Guide - Guide for end users explaining how to use the software
• Configuration Reference - Complete reference for creating .cfg files
• Corporate Documentation - Business and legal information

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the corporate_documentation.md file for details.

RayTracer is developed and maintained by EpiCorp.

Thanks to the amazing contributors who made this project possible:

• eric-lrx
• AdamLarkem
• Bastian130
• dtakougnadiepi