In
3D computer graphics,
radiosity is an application of the
finite element method to solving the
rendering equation for scenes with surfaces that
reflect light diffusely. Unlike
rendering methods that use
Monte Carlo algorithms (such as
path tracing), which handle all types of light paths, typical radiosity only account for paths (represented by the code "LD*E") which leave a light source and are reflected diffusely some number of times (possibly zero) before hitting the eye. Radiosity is a
global illumination algorithm in the sense that the illumination arriving on a surface comes not just directly from the light sources, but also from other surfaces reflecting light. Radiosity is viewpoint independent, which increases the calculations involved, but makes them useful for all viewpoints.