Foundations of Graphics & Compute: Volume 5: Ray-Tracing
Book Details
  • ISBN: 979-8306564760
  • Published: January 10, 2025
  • Categories: Books Computers & Technology Web Development & Design Programming JavaScript
Buy on Amazon
Gallery

Foundations of Graphics & Compute: Volume 5: Ray-Tracing

4.8
Average Rating
(128 reviews)
Editor's Choice: This book has been selected as one of our top recommendations for August 2025.

About This Book

The art and science of rendering realistic images have fascinated computer graphics enthusiasts for decades. At the heart of this journey lies ray-tracing, a powerful technique that simulates the behavior of light to create stunningly lifelike visuals. Whether you're rendering photorealistic scenes, exploring procedural textures, or diving into fractal geometries, the principles of ray tracing offer a foundation for creativity and technical excellence. This book is your guide to understanding and mastering these principles, with a practical focus on WebGPU, a modern graphics API that unlocks the power of GPU computation for the web. The chapters ahead take you on a step-by-step journey, starting with the fundamentals of ray-tracing, path-tracing, and ray-marching. From building your first ``Hello-World'' ray-tracer to implementing advanced features like shadows, reflections, and procedural textures, the book is designed to be approachable for beginners while offering depth for experienced developers seeking to refine their skills. Each chapter is crafted with two goals in mind: to deepen your understanding of ray tracing concepts and to provide hands-on coding experience. WebGPU serves as the backbone for all examples, making it possible to run powerful, interactive graphics applications directly in modern web browsers. By the time you complete this book, you'll not only have a solid grasp of ray tracing but also a toolkit of techniques for creating visually compelling and performant applications. This book covers a wide range of topics, including:

Key Features

  • Comprehensive coverage of Books topics
  • Practical examples and real-world applications
  • Clear explanations suitable for beginners and experts
  • Latest trends and techniques in the field
  • Exercises and challenges to test your knowledge

In the News

I used Perplexity to make a restaurant reservation - now I'm wondering if Google is holding us back

www.zdnet.com • Aug 7, 2025

The newest AI tool connects directly to OpenTable, so you don't have to navigate between apps or tabs to book tables....

This free ChatGPT feature flew under the radar - but it's a game changer

www.zdnet.com • Aug 7, 2025

Everyone can use ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode now - yes, even free users....

Microsoft rolls out GPT-5 across its Copilot suite - here's what we know

www.zdnet.com • Aug 7, 2025

GPT-5 is here, and Microsoft is integrating it into everything from chatbots to developer tools. Here's what's new, what works, and what to expect....

You May Also Like

Game Design and Development: Code, Psychology and Analytics (Paperback)
Game Design and Development: Code, Psychology and Analytics (Paperback)
Speak with Visualizations
Speak with Visualizations
101 WebGL and GLSL Projects: A Hands-On Journey Through 101 Programming Project Examples
101 WebGL and GLSL Projects: A Hands-On Journey Through 101 Programming Project Examples
JavaScript is NOT a Toy
JavaScript is NOT a Toy
How To Write Retro Games: Web-Programming
How To Write Retro Games: Web-Programming

What Readers Are Saying

Ava Park
Ava Park

Literary Critic

This comprehensive work by the author, provides an exceptional examination of webgpu. The depth of analysis is particularly impressive, offering both theoretical frameworks and practical applications that will benefit readers at all levels of expertise. I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about mastering this subject.

Posted 7 days ago

User491

Verified Purchase

I completely agree with Ava Park's review. This book exceeded my expectations!

Posted 1 days ago

Noah Thompson
Noah Thompson

Computer Science Professor

I couldn't put this book down! As someone who's been working with webgpu for years, I still learned so much from reading this book, clear explanations and real-world examples. It's rare to find a technical book that's this enjoyable to read.

Posted 5 days ago

User821

Verified Purchase

I completely agree with Noah Thompson's review. This book exceeded my expectations!

Posted 6 days ago

Emma Johnson
Emma Johnson

Author

A must-read for anyone interested in webgpu.

Posted 14 days ago

David Clark
David Clark

Cognitive Psychologist

This comprehensive work by the author, provides an exceptional examination of webgpu. The depth of analysis is particularly impressive, offering both theoretical frameworks and practical applications that will benefit readers at all levels of expertise. I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about mastering this subject.

Posted 8 days ago

David Garcia
David Garcia

Historian

This book changed how I think about webgpu. The author has a gift for making complex ideas feel simple and approachable. It's rare to find a technical book that's this enjoyable to read.

Posted 14 days ago

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Foundations of Graphics & Compute: Volume 5: Ray-Tracing is designed to be accessible to readers with varying levels of experience. The book starts with fundamental concepts and gradually progresses to more advanced topics, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced professionals looking to deepen their knowledge.

Absolutely! Each chapter includes hands-on exercises and challenges that allow you to apply what you've learned. These practical components are designed to reinforce the concepts and help you develop real-world skills.

Yes, Foundations of Graphics & Compute: Volume 5: Ray-Tracing is available in both print and digital formats. You can find the Kindle edition on Amazon along with the paperback version.