Page "Rendering (computer graphics)" Paragraph 40

Ray tracing aims to simulate the natural flow of light, interpreted as particles.

Often, ray tracing methods are utilized to approximate the solution to the rendering equation by applying Monte Carlo methods to it.

Some of the most used methods are Path Tracing, Bidirectional Path Tracing, or Metropolis light transport, but also semi realistic methods are in use, like Whitted Style Ray Tracing, or hybrids.

While most implementations let light propagate on straight lines, applications exist to simulate relativistic spacetime effects.