Raytracing in ZBrush (ZScript Included)

[WingedOne]

I was working on a ZScript Raytracer. This is only a preliminary experiment and as a result it runs butt-ugly slow right now. This image took about 2.5 hours to render for me. All it does is cast rays and perform a ray-sphere intersection test. The shadow and lights in this image have nothing to do with the raytracer, those were just the standard ZBrush lighting and shadows native to ZBrush.

In the future I hope to optimize the code using proper vector maths as well as add shadows, reflections and phong-highlighting as well as more primitives. Also I need to figure out what to do about the aliasing artifacts.

But the most interesting thing I hope to do is I also hope to extend this so the ray-tracing routines would be able to interact with pre-existing information on the canvas.

Keep in mind that this is just a preliminary experiment and its usefulness is just purely academic right now. :rolleyes:

RayTracer.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1026480115hzy.txt)

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1026480142hox.jpg

[Frenchy Pilou]

Zbrush can't considered like a raytracer in the best Render option ?
Pilou

[WingedOne]

Not really, I believe it currently uses other types of rendering routines.

[aurick]

Version 1.5 will have ambient lighting and soft shadows. Which means that there will be raytracing. :)

Those are really neat results, though! I would never have imagined that a ZScript could do such a thing.

[WingedOne]

I'll keep working on it though. Mostly for my own education and to get a better understanding of ZScripting. Plus, it may still evolve into something actually useful.

[Muvlo]

Super job WingedOne! Really amazing use of ZScripts. :)

[Flycatcher]

I think I'll wait for the optimised script before trying this one out! ;) But full marks for being brave enough to try implementing this process in ZScript - I am in awe. Good luck with the next stages of the experiment. :tu:

[Grub]

I've done a bit of 'c' programming, coding a ray tracer is not an easy task. I'm amazed that you can do complex stuff like this with zscripts, very interesting WingedOne, good luck with the vector maths!

[enter]

How to use Ray Traycing in Zbrush 1.55b?
I really like this feature when I saw it in Amorphium 3. Any tutorial in Zbrush?

Thanks

[aurick]

ZBrush does not have true raytracing. However, there are several things that simulate it or take partial advantage of raytracing.

Please see Pixolator's Post (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=010194&p=3) on reflections (along with some beautiful examples of it in use).

Also, check out the Lighting and Rendering page of the Quick Reference Guide (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=010737) for info on how to use Global Shadows (which are raytraced).

[Frenchy Pilou]

Hi Winged the one
Very abnegation way :cool:
After that are you project the radiosity ?
Pilou