Ray tracing is a method used to generate 3d pictures by tracing the path of light through pixels in an image plane. This technique is capable of producing a very high degree of photorealism but at a greater computational cost. While the current 3d engine are based on triangles, Raytracers are based on pixels. For each one, some rays are calculated in order to get its color. This makes ray tracing best suited for applications where the image can be rendered slowly ahead of time, such as in still images and film and television special effects, and more poorly suited for real-time applications like computer games where speed is critical. Ray tracing is capable of simulating a wide variety of optical effects, such as reflection and refraction, scattering, and chromatic aberration.

   I developped a basic C Raytracer 3 years ago with some mates during my studies and I wanted to develop another one in ActionScript 3.0. What an interesting challenge to develop/optimize parts of the raytracer engine, like the first line-sphere intersection, first shadows, first reflections ...

   Actually, the AS3 raytracer can handle spheres/planes/cylinders with reflection/shadow effects, that's basic but optimized to have a maximum of frame per second. You are invited to help me by the contact section. I'm developping with a SVN/Trac server.

   Some demos are available via this link as well as you can find screenshots and videos. Enjoy :)