NoteYou can render Caustics
only with the mental ray for Maya renderer.
Caustics are light effects
that caused by specularly (as opposed to diffusely) reflected or
refracted light.
Refracted caustics happen when specularly
transmitted light bends through a transparent or semi-transparent
object or volume onto a diffuse surface.
Reflected caustics happen when specularly
reflected light bends through a transparent or semi-transparent
object or volume onto a diffuse surface.
NoteIn the natural world,
caustics are actually a form of global illumination, but they are
treated separately by mental ray for Maya, making it easier for you
to control them.
