Do you have a personal computer, console, or even a mobile phone? Then, you most likely stumbled across this term. Despite its prominence on PC or console, it has been making waves. But what is ray tracing, and why is it a big deal?
Do you need to have it activated? Tune in as we give an overview of ray tracing and why it is a game-changer.
What is ray tracing?
The first line of ray tracing technology was released way back in 2018 when Nvidia released their 20 series. For
those wondering, RTX means Ray Tracing Texel eXtreme—clever, huh? So what does it provide?
To make things easier, imagine yourself drawing a picture, and your objective is to make it as realistic as
possible—a simple drawing of a house, for example. If you enjoy using triangles to make your sophisticated
houses, you will enjoy understanding how light interacts with different objects, shapes, and sizes. Ray
tracing—the clue is in the name–is a type of art execution that allows artists to utilize tools in
computers to make a more dynamic space.
From NVIDIA GeForce
Official GIPHY
Here's how it works: When you play a game or watch a movie with ray tracing enabled, the computer creates a virtual
world. Then, it sends out thousands of tiny rays of light from your virtual "camera" into this world. These rays
bounce around like real light does in the physical world. They hit objects, reflect off surfaces, and create
shadows. The computer then calculates how each ray of light behaves, which results in incredibly realistic lighting
effects—giving you an accurate lighting formula for your game or virtual stage.
Why does ray tracing matter?
You might be wondering why ray tracing is such a big deal. Well, here are a few reasons:
- Realism. More of an umbrella overview, ray tracing makes games “realistic,”
somewhat a 1 to 1 ratio regarding how your in-game character perceives the world.
- Dynamic shadows. Normally, this type of game setting is often turned down. This is fine if you
want to focus on performance, but for individuals who prefer immersion, having realistic details in shadows when
it comes to movement is what makes the game better. Plus, it gives you an edge when opponents come around the
corner.
From NVIDIA GeForce
Official GIPHY
- Eye-catching reflections. If your player hovers around the water and you can see a great,
reflective image, it means the ray tracing is doing its job. Ray tracing can create stunning reflections in
water, glass, and shiny surfaces. This adds a whole new level of visual depth and realism in
games—especially when you feel like roaming around.
- Immersive global illuminations. I never really got to appreciate this setting option at its
current state, mostly due to my graphics card, but this is an advanced lightning tech that mimics real-world
light interactions. It merges dynamic shadows and reflections into one big world.
From NBC Official GIPHY
With its prevalence in the gaming scene, ray tracing is undoubtedly a game-changer. It challenges developers to
elevate visual quality to different levels we’ve never seen before in gaming. Introducing unique gaming genres
breathes innovation for broader perspectives that gamers, art enthusiasts, and developers can enjoy.
It births enjoyment from alternate worlds created by people’s imagination. If you want to supply that endless
flood of imagination, you must be inspired. What better place to look for inspiration than on the Internet? Thanks
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find that push you need to finish your work, homework, or game.