Photo-real rendering of bioluminescence and iridescence in creatures from the abyss

Mark Prusten

doi:10.1117/12.802178

11 August 2008 Photo-real rendering of bioluminescence and iridescence in creatures from the abyss

Mark Prusten

Proceedings Volume 7057, The Nature of Light: Light in Nature II; 70570D (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.802178
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The generation of photo-real renderings of bioluminescence is developed for creatures from the abyss. Bioluminescence results from a chemical reaction with examples found in deep-sea marine environments including: algae, copepods, jellyfish, squid, and fish. In bioluminescence, the excitation energy is supplied by a chemical reaction, not by a source of light. The greatest transparency window in seawater is in the blue region of the visible spectrum. From small creatures like single-cell algae, to large species of siphonophore Praya dubia (40m), luminescent phenomena can be produced by mechanical excitement from disturbances of objects passing by. Deep sea fish, like the Pacific Black Dragonfish are covered with photophores along the upper and lower surfaces which emits light when disturbed. Other animals like small squids have several different types of light organs oscillating at different rates. Custom shaders and material phenomena incorporate indirect lighting like: global illumination, final gathering, ambient occlusion and subsurface scattering to provide photo real images. Species like the Hydomedusae jellyfish, produce colors that are also generated by iridescence of thin tissues. The modeling and rendering of these tissues requires thin film multilayer stacks. These phenomena are simulated by semi-rigid body dynamics in a procedural animation environment. These techniques have been applied to develop spectral rendering of scenes outside the normal visible window in typical computer animation render engines.

Citation Download Citation

Mark Prusten "Photo-real rendering of bioluminescence and iridescence in creatures from the abyss", Proc. SPIE 7057, The Nature of Light: Light in Nature II, 70570D (11 August 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.802178

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available