Bipul Mohanto

Bipul Mohanto

Doctoral Researcher@ Foveated Rendering | 3D Graphics Rendering| Global Illumination | Multi-View Rendering | Applied Human Perception | Color Science | Computer Vision

Ray-Based Rendering Learning Resources

3 minute read

Published:

(work in progress…)

I titled this post as ray-based learning resources, which actually not exactly focus on the Whitted-style ray tracing or Cook-style recursive ray tracing algorithm. These resources agnostic and works for the common ray-based rendering categories. The ray casting is also the earlier version of this category which has very limited applications nowadays. Contrarily, the global illumination (aka. Physically-Based Rendering, indirect illumination rendering) is the advanced branch of the ray-based rendering which generates physically-accurate light simulation under virtual environments. The Path tracing is one of the most popular algorithms under this categories. It is mainly a discrete light simulation that approximately imitates the continuous real-world light interaction using the approximate physics and calculus algorithm. There are hundreds of algorithms under global illumination categories. Other than path tracing, the photon mapping, Metropolis light transport, Radiosity, Ambient Occlusion, Dynamic Diffuse Global Illumination (DDGI), etc. are also very popular. However, each of the algorithms has their advantages and limitations. Therefore, in the professional-grade rendering engine, often hybrid approaches are used that combines multiple global illumination algorithms based on their superiority photorealistic effects.

The primary goal of this blog is to gather available resources that may assist the newbies. The experts might find this redundant. Before further go, I will strongly recommend to explore the Real-Time Rendering Resources webpage which has been build over a long time and literally contains the best resources available in the internet.

Other than that, here is a lit of books that I found interesting to add in the learning process. The sequence is based on my personal choice. Some of the resources are free:

  1. Ray Tracing Gems Series
  2. Scratchapixel, Blog style
  3. Physically Based Rendering Book Online 👍🏼 👍🏼 Must Read
  4. The Graphics Codex 👍🏽 👍🏼, G3D rendering engine is really cool for real-time and cloud rendering with path tracing. However, as far as I know, the project has not been updated for long time (2025)
  5. Ray Tracing in One Weekend Series
  6. GPU Gems Series

Besides, if someone new to Rendering domain, you can follow:

  1. book Fundamentals of Computer Graphics (the latest version)
  2. Learn OpenGL, Must Read blog-style

Other than, the GDC Vault and Advances in Real-Time Rendering in Games are two excellent resources to grasp the latest knowledge and updates in real-time ray-based rendering approaches (especially, in global illuminations).

Computer Graphics YouTube Lecture Series Lectures:

  1. Cem Yuksel’s Lecture Series
  2. Justin Solmon’s Lecture
  3. Computer Graphics at TU Wien
  4. Ravi Ramamoorthi’s Lecture
  5. Keenan Crane’s Lecture
  6. Wolfgang Huerst’s Lecture Series
  7. Rajesh Sharma SIGGRAPH 2021

Blogs Ray and Path Tracing

Ray Tracing on Weekend (RTOW) series

Developer’s Forums

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At the time of writing this (October, 2025), there are limited publicly available rendering engine that works for real-time stereo path tracing. The slow convergence with pixel dense display in VR is limiting real-time stereo path tracer. However, with the RT-core and GPU architecture improvements, I am noticing the recent trend of physically accurate light simulation in real-time rendering, e.g., games. Therefore, definitely with time, the real-time stereo path-tracing (and with other advanced global illumination algorithms) would be a real thing once we will overcome frame-rate constraint. Physically-accurate light simulation will minimized the difference between real and virtual world and extend the path of true immersion. Currently, 90 fps has become a golden standard for VR. However, the higher is the better for immersion.

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The OpenGL sometimes considered as a high level graphics API. It is always the starting point for beginners. However, the applications are limited to the industry. Moreover, compare to other widely used APIs, e.g., Vulkan, DirectX, it is sometimes considered as a high level API. This level is referred to the graphics hardware and memory control.