BRDF Models and The Rendering Equation - Lecture 3

Explore the fundamental concepts of computer graphics rendering in this lecture from TU Wien's rendering course. Dive into the world of Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (BRDFs) and learn how they are used to mathematically model various material properties such as mirrors, walls, and car paint. Discover the rendering equation, considered the holy grail of computer graphics, and understand its role in light transport simulation. Gain insights into geometric optics, surface and media interactions with light, and camera models. Familiarize yourself with Monte Carlo methods and their refinements, including stratified sampling and the Metropolis-Hastings method. By the end of this lecture, you'll have a solid foundation in common rendering techniques and be prepared to navigate the current state-of-the-art in the field.