What are caustics?

Caustics are effects, not solutions. There, now you know! Ok so there is a little bit more to it.

If you have ever been to the ocean, or swimming pool, you have seen caustics lighting first hand. The light patterns that you see at on the ocean floor or the bottom of the pool are called caustic patterns. Caustics can be defined as the result of specular light transmission. Caustics can be seen in a much bigger spectrum than just water effects though.

What are good examples of caustics in everyday life?

• When light passes though an empty glass, the surrounding light pattern on the table is a caustic effect.
• When light hits a window, caustic effects can be seen on the ground.
• Chrome can cause caustic effects with a concentrated light source.
• The ocean floor on a bright day or the bottom a pool.

How are caustics created?

Light being dispersed and broken up as a apposed to a direct light source. In 3d Studio Max the easiest and most memory friendly way to create a caustic effect is to put a map on the light source. You can also recreate caustic effects using raytracing, reflection and refraction maps.