Cornell Box The Cornell Box
Cornell University Program of Computer Graphics
Cornell Seal

The Cornell Program of Computer Graphics has become best known for its research on physically based rendering. We believe that computer graphics simulations will never become predictive of reality unless we correctly model the physics of light reflection and light energy propagation within physical environments.

The Cornell Box experiments have come to symbolize our approach to physically based rendering. The Cornell box is a simple physical environment for which we have measured the lighting, geometry, and material reflectance properties. Synthetic images of this environment are then created, and compared to images captured with a calibrated CCD camera. In this way, we can confirm the accuracy of our simulations.

History The box has been used for many experiments over the years, and has changed to adapt to the needs of our researchers.
Comparison See an example of how synthetic images of the box are compared with photographs of the real thing.
Data Specifications of the geometry and material properties of the box are provided for public use.

Last updated 01/02/98 PCG www Home