Caustics

Caustics provide even more realism to your 3D images by simulating the hyper-focusing of light as it reflects off of surfaces or within the volume of an object. Caustic effects, like the reflection of light from the face of a watch or on the bottom of a swimming pool, are easy to create with the Advanced Render module.

To calculate caustics, the Advanced Render module actually fires photons into your scene. As these electronic rays of light get focused and distorted, the rendering engine displays the lighting effect in the image. MAXON CINEMA 4D can calculate the caustic effects on a surface or within a volume. Caustic transmission, like illumination, can be adjusted within each material's parameters. Additionally you can determine which lights generate caustics and the falloff of the effect from each light. Like radiosity, the caustics engine provides several rendering parameters that can be tweaked to optimize render times and image quality.

By accurately displaying the effects of light as it interacts with specific materials, caustics can add yet another level of realism to your scene.