Physically-Based Path Tracer for a Product Visualization Studio
Overview
What this challenge is about.
Build a path tracer in C++ with: ray-triangle and ray-sphere intersection on a BVH (bounding volume hierarchy), Lambertian diffuse and Cook-Torrance GGX specular BRDFs, multiple importance sampling combining BSDF + light sampling, Russian-roulette path termination, and ACES filmic tone mapping. Render the 4 test scenes at 1080p with 1024 samples per pixel. Compare against the third-party tool's reference renders using mean structural similarity (SSIM) and have the art director sign off on visible-difference. Deliver source, the 4 renders, the comparison report, and a 10-page technical design note.
The Brief
What you'll do, and what you'll demonstrate.
Build a physically-based CPU path tracer that reproduces a third-party render farm's quality on 4 industrial-product scenes within an art-director-signed-off visible-difference threshold.
Earning criteria — what you'll demonstrate
- Implement a path tracer respecting physically-based rendering math
- Build and traverse a BVH for ray-scene acceleration
- Apply multiple importance sampling correctly
- Validate render quality against reference using objective metrics + human review
Program Fit
Where this fits in your program.
Sharpens the same skills your degree expects you to demonstrate.
Skills
Skills you'll demonstrate.
Each one shows up on your verified credential.
Careers
Roles this prepares you for.
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Career mappings coming soon.