Hierarchical Monte Carlo image synthesis
A fundamental variance reduction technique for Monte Carlo integration in the framework of integro-approximation problems is presented. Using the method of dependent Bests a successive hierarchical function approximation algorithm is developed, which captures discontinuities and exploits smoothness in the target function. The general mathematical scheme and its highly efficient implementation are illustrated for image generation by ray tracing, yielding new and much faster image synthesis algorithms. (C) 2001 IMACS. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
image synthesis monte carlo integration integro-approximation quasi-monte carlo integration