====== ray ======

[{{ :rrt_1.jpg?300|A render of  the bundled scene (gamma corrected).}}]

Ray is a multi-threaded, real-time [[wp>Path_tracing|path tracer]], written in C. Paths are traced through an octree, which can be edited at run-time, giving it sort of a "early Minecraft prototype" feel. Being my first "serious" program, it's rather primitive and can't work with complicated geometry or surface models.

===== Background =====

[{{ :rrt_2.jpg?300|A render of  a default random octree (gamma corrected).}}]

I wrote the program as a part of my presentation titled "A physically accurate computer light model" for the finale of the 10th edition of the "Open Interschool Physics Contest" in 2013. I didn't win as there was way too much programming and too little physics involved. I wasn't great at presenting back then either. Nevertheless this was the first step toward choosing Optics as my field of study. And I did much better two years later with [[cem]].

===== Compiling and running =====

The source code is available here at [[https://redman.xyz/git/ray|ray]]. Because this is a very old program, written back when I wasn't too experienced, compiling and running it can be a bit of a challenge. You'll probably have to figure it out yourself.

At start the program loads a world from "world" in the working directory. If it's not present, it'll generate a fractal-looking random octree. The repository includes a weird Pripyat-looking scene. Sometimes camera physics bug out, removing the world fixes the issue.

The controls are listed below.
  * Use the mouse to look around, WASD to move around, space to fly up, C to fly down.
  * **F1 releases/locks the cursor.**
  * The mouse wheel adjusts the focal length (zoom level).
  * Left and right mouse buttons destroy and place blocks, respectively.
  * Keys Z, X, R, T, Y and U select the block type to place. In order: concrete, dirt, metal, mirror, light and banner.
  * Keys 1 through 7 change the render quality (7 being the best).
  * Press Q to launch a bouncy light source, F to toggle the flashlight.
  * F11 renders to "offline.bmp" at a much higher resolution.