Product Description

Concentrating on the "nuts and bolts" of writing ray tracing programs, this new and revised edition emphasizes practical and implementation issues and takes the reader through all the details needed to write a modern rendering system. Most importantly, the book adds many C++ code segments, as well as new details to provide the reader with a better intuitive understanding of ray tracing algorithms.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #707256 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 235 pages

Customer Reviews

If you want to trace ray's: Start here!!
I recently bought Realistic Ray Tracing by Peter Shirley.
At the back of the book it stated "This book will guide you through the steps of creating your own powerful ray tracer program, ...."

And it does just that.
I love the book. If you're interested in Ray Tracing you should defenitly buy this book. No, it's not THE leading graphics book and I'm sure there might be more detailed and academic resources available, but that doesn't matter.

Peter Shirley succeeds in making something that's normally seen as very difficult a lot easier.

If you've ever programmed in any OO language you should have no problem at all implementing your Ray Tracer. Ok, so there are no pieces of code in the book. That doesn't matter. It stimulates you to be creative. To realy make a program of your own. Something you can be proud of.

Is the math difficult? Well, it can be if you have no experience in lineair algebra. But I would say that it wouldn't be impossible to still understand most of it.

I read at many places that people hated the book because it had a lot of errors. Yes, that's absolutely true. But you can get the errata at Peter Shirley's website. OK, it's not realy great to buy a book that has a lot of mistakes, but when you do, I can asure you you've bought a great little book you're going to love.

P.s.
Please don't think the book can't be good because it has only about 160 pages. Peter Shirley succeeds in explaining everything you need to know to start building a fairly sophisticated Ray Tracer. Have Fun!!!

Wat is this all about ?
I skipped on to this site because I am also peter shirley. what confuses me is what it all about; stuff concerning cosmic rays and math confound me.
Anyone out there can help?
If you think this a nutcase query I can assure you that I was a teacher of English in a high scool ,in UK, for 38 years.
If the 'real' Peter Shirley reads this it would be interesting to have contact--did you know the mother of Jessie James was a Shirley, also The Sherriff of Nottingham !


Peter Shirley