View source for Environment map

An environment map is used for three purposes in a game engine:
# Reflections: simulates the look of a shiny surface, like chrome or water. 
# Refractions: simulates the view behind or through a transparent surface, like glass or water.
# Background: simulates the distant view behind the game models.

An environment map is usually painted to look like an all-encompassing world. 

[[image:reflection.gif]][[image:reflectmap.gif]]<br clear="all"/>
In this example, the sky texture on the right has been used as a reflection on the torus. 

Environment mapping can also be used to fake the look of specular highlights on an object, by painting only the light sources into the environment texture. 

* [[Cube map]]
* [[Diffusely convolved cube map]]
* [[DuDv map]]
* [[Spherical environment map]]

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[[Category:Glossary]]