Memory efficient ray classification for visibility operations

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new ray classification scheme that considerably reduces memory consumption while preserving its inherent time efficiency. Our key idea is due to the fact that the rays lying on the same line are duplicated over many cells in the ray classification scheme [1]. We are thus able to lower the dimensions of the ray space by classifying lines instead of rays. Our scheme produces much simpler-shaped, compact ray cells that eventually accelerate ray shooting operations.