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.
