texturelight

Texturelight refers to a rendering technique used in computer graphics to simulate the appearance of light interacting with textured surfaces. It aims to go beyond simple diffuse and specular reflections by incorporating more nuanced light scattering effects that are characteristic of real-world materials. This can involve simulating subsurface scattering, anisotropic reflections, or other phenomena that add depth and realism to the visual representation of a surface.

The term "texturelight" is not a formally defined term within a specific rendering pipeline or engine. Instead, it broadly describes the effort to imbue texture mapping with more physically plausible lighting behaviors. Traditional texture mapping primarily affects the color and reflectivity of a surface. Texturelight, on the other hand, suggests that the texture itself plays a role in how light is modulated or scattered, creating effects like the subtle glow of skin or the sheen on brushed metal.

Implementing texturelight effects often involves advanced shader programming and the use of specialized texture maps beyond standard diffuse and normal maps. These might include maps that store information about the material's micro-surface properties, light transmission, or directional scattering. The goal is to achieve a more convincing and immersive visual experience by making rendered objects behave more like their real-world counterparts under various lighting conditions. The specific techniques employed can vary widely depending on the desired visual fidelity and the computational resources available.