Shading in the case of translucent objects

Jan J. Koenderink; Andrea J. van Doorn

doi:10.1117/12.429502

8 June 2001 Shading in the case of translucent objects

Jan J. Koenderink, Andrea J. van Doorn

Proceedings Volume 4299, Human Vision and Electronic Imaging VI; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.429502
Event: Photonics West 2001 - Electronic Imaging, 2001, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Shading is an important shape cue. Theories of 'shape from shading' assume that the shading is due to collimated beams irradiating opaque smooth Lambertian surface. Many objects are not at all opaque though. In cases of translucent objects photons penetrate the surface and enter the volume of the object, perhaps to re-emerge from the surface at another location. In such cases there can be no 'shading' proper. In the limit of very strong scattering these materials approach opaque Lambertian surfaces, in the limit of very weak scattering they approach transparent objects such as glass or water. A general theory of 'shading' in the case of translucent objects is not available. We study the optical properties for a number of geometries. In simple cases the scattering problem can be solved and we obtain models of 'shading' of translucent material that are distinct from the opaque Lambertian case. In more general cases one needs to make certain approximations. We show how to develop rules of thumb for generic cases. Such rules are likely candidates for models of human visual perception of wrinkles in human skin or articulations of cumulus clouds.

Citation Download Citation

Jan J. Koenderink and Andrea J. van Doorn "Shading in the case of translucent objects", Proc. SPIE 4299, Human Vision and Electronic Imaging VI, (8 June 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.429502

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