Diffuse Reflection

Diffuse reflection is the Reflection of Light from an uneven or granular surface such that an incident ray is seemingly reflected at a number of angles. It is the complement to Specular Reflection . If a surface is completely nonspecular, the reflected light will be evenly spread over the Hemisphere surrounding the surface (2× π Steradian s).

The most familiar example of the distinction between specular and diffuse reflection would be Matte and Glossy Paint s as used in home painting. Matte paints have a higher proportion of diffuse reflection, while gloss paints have a greater part of specular reflection.

Diffuse interreflection is a process whereby Light reflected from an object strikes other objects in the surrounding area, illuminating them. Diffuse interreflection specifically describes light reflected from objects which are not shiny or Specular . In real life terms what this means is that light is reflected off non-shiny surfaces such as the ground, walls, or fabric, to reach areas not directly in view of a light source. If the diffuse surface is Color ed, the reflected light is also colored, resulting in similar coloration of surrounding objects.

In 3D Computer Graphics , diffuse interreflection is an important component of Global Illumination . There are a number of ways to model diffuse interreflection when rendering a scene. Radiosity and Photon Mapping are two commonly used methods.

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Diffuse Reflection