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Is there an equation for flat shading?

To my understanding, it is this:

$$I = I_a \times K_a + F_{att} \times I_l \times (K_d \times (N \times L))$$

Final intensity = ambient reflection x ambient reflection coefficient + (attenuation x incident light intensity x (diffusive reflection coefficient x (surface normal x Light intensity))

However, I have only found one source for this equation (my lecture slides).

Are there any other sources to confirm this is the equation for flat shading? I can't find one.

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  • $\begingroup$ The (surface normal x Light intensity) / diffuse part, shouldn't that be N.L * lightColour * diffuseColour ? $\endgroup$
    – PaulHK
    Commented Mar 17, 2017 at 7:56
  • $\begingroup$ I didn't add a divide anywhere in the equation. It is lightIntensity*(diffusive reflection coefficient * (N.L)) $\endgroup$
    – S.A
    Commented Mar 17, 2017 at 8:33
  • $\begingroup$ @PaulHK Is it possible you could give a reference to where you found the equation for flat shading? $\endgroup$
    – S.A
    Commented Mar 17, 2017 at 8:56
  • $\begingroup$ OpenGL's fixed function pipeline, I found a decent reference here > cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/academic/class/15462-s09/www/lec/02/… $\endgroup$
    – PaulHK
    Commented Mar 17, 2017 at 9:33
  • $\begingroup$ This equation doesn't consider flat or smooth shading, that is down to you to use either a fixed normal per triangle or interpolated vertex normals. $\endgroup$
    – PaulHK
    Commented Mar 17, 2017 at 9:34

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I don't think having a equation for flat shading is meaningful as such. Mainly because the formula for flat shading is same as the formula for the model the flat shading is emulating. The difference is that flat shading is operating per primitive rather than per point or per vertex.

So there can in fact exist multiple formulas that work differently but are still all flat shading.

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