Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product provide the ability to utilize a distributed scene graph. A database of hashes and corresponding location identifiers (for asset locations) is maintained. An export of a scene (including scene assets) is initiated and hash values for the scene assets are computed. If the hash value is not in the database, it is added to the database. If the hash value is in the database, the corresponding location identifier is used to identify the location of the scene asset. The hash value and corresponding location identifier are stored in a scene graph file that is traversed. During the traversal, for each hash value in the scene graph file, the scene asset is retrieved from the location identified in the scene graph file and processed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product provide the ability to utilize a distributed scene graph. A database of hashes and corresponding location identifiers (for asset locations) is maintained. An export of a scene (including scene assets) is initiated and hash values for the scene assets are computed. If the hash value is not in the database, it is added to the database. If the hash value is in the database, the corresponding location identifier is used to identify the location of the scene asset. The hash value and corresponding location identifier are stored in a scene graph file that is traversed. During the traversal, for each hash value in the scene graph file, the scene asset is retrieved from the location identified in the scene graph file and processed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to conduct global illumination. A 3D model of a scene is obtained in a computer graphics application. A camera location in the scene is identified and paths emitted from the camera location are traced into the scene (by recording hit points along the paths). The paths are filtered by selecting those paths that can receive light from a light source (i.e., paths whose next path segment hits the light source). Targets are identified based on the hit points. Photons are generated from the light source and follow a corresponding photon path. Each photon path is evaluated to determine if it intersects with a target, in which case it is recorded. A view of the scene is rendered based on the recorded photons.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to conduct global illumination. A 3D model of a scene is obtained in a computer graphics application. A camera location in the scene is identified and paths emitted from the camera location are traced into the scene (by recording hit points along the paths). The paths are filtered by selecting those paths that can receive light from a light source (i.e., paths whose next path segment hits the light source). Targets are identified based on the hit points. Photons are generated from the light source and follow a corresponding photon path. Each photon path is evaluated to determine if it intersects with a target, in which case it is recorded. A view of the scene is rendered based on the recorded photons.