Predicting Scatter from Roughness

This chapter categorizes various aspects of predicting scatter and gives guidelines for some cases. The Rayleigh–Rice predictions in the next section follow directly from the previous chapter. Section 8.2 examines the problems encountered when the surface is not optically smooth. Other predictions are more speculative in nature but not restricted to the well-behaved reflectors of Chapter 4. These include curve fitting of discrete data points, extension of BSDF data into unmeasured regions, and the use of sample characterization computer code (based on constants found from a few measurement scans) to predict any BSDF combination. Chapters 1–5 are required background material to understand the reasoning, as is Chapter 7 if measurements are being considered.