Hemicube (computer graphics)

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See also Hemicube (geometry)

Three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics
Fundamentals
Modeling Scanning Rendering Printing
Primary uses
3D models Computer-aided design Graphic design Video games Visual effects Visualization Virtual engineering Virtual reality Virtual cinematography
Related topics
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) Animation computer skeletal 3D display Wire-frame model Texture mapping Motion capture Crowd simulation Global illumination Volume rendering
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In 3D computer graphics rendering, a hemicube is one way to represent a 180° view from a surface or point in space.

Unfolding a hemicube

Shape[]

Although the name implies any half of a cube, a hemicube is usually a cube cut through a plane parallel to one of its faces. Therefore, it consists of one square face, one diamond shape face, two 2:1 aspect ratio rectangles, and two 1:2 aspect ratio rectangles totaling six sides.

Uses[]

The hemicube may be used in the Radiosity algorithm or other Light Transport algorithms in order to determine the amount of light arriving at a particular point on a surface.

In some cases, a hemicube may be used in environment mapping or reflection mapping.