Editing Rendering (computer graphics) (section)

=== The rendering equation ===
{{Main|Rendering equation}}

This is the key academic/theoretical concept in rendering. It serves as the most abstract formal expression of the non-perceptual aspect of rendering. All more complete algorithms can be seen as solutions to particular formulations of this equation.

: <math>L_o(x, \omega) = L_e(x, \omega) + \int_\Omega L_i(x, \omega') f_r(x, \omega', \omega)  (\omega' \cdot n) \, \mathrm d \omega'</math>
Meaning: at a particular position and direction, the outgoing light (L<sub>o</sub>) is the sum of the emitted light (L<sub>e</sub>) and the reflected light. The reflected light being the sum of the incoming light (L<sub>i</sub>) from all directions, multiplied by the surface reflection and incoming angle. By connecting outward light to inward light, via an interaction point, this equation stands for the whole 'light transport'{{snd}} all the movement of light{{snd}} in a scene.