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Recently I have developed and interest in Ray Tracing and like most computer graphics tutorials online there is nothing regarding implementation for a beginner like myself.

So far I have only done real time rendering (DirectX), however I understand the basics of Ray Tracing but I want to buy a book before proceeding any further. I've taken a look at Physically Based Rendering: From Theory to Implementation (I want to learn Ray Tracing with a Physically Based Approach so I thought this would be great) but I don't think it's good for a beginner since there's not much emphasis on the code.

When I was learning DirectX 11 everyone recommended Frank Luna's Introduction to 3D Game Programming, which was great since it covered all the basics and also a few advanced topics like SSAO with an approach a beginner could understand. Is there something like this for Ray Tracing?

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    $\begingroup$ Physically Based Rendering: From Theory to Implementation has loads of code in it. It explains a lot line by line. You also have the pbrt implementation on Github too. It's a great book. $\endgroup$
    – Syntac_
    Nov 11, 2016 at 8:58
  • $\begingroup$ I've only been able to read sample chapters but based on what you've said I might buy this book. $\endgroup$
    – Arjan Singh
    Nov 11, 2016 at 10:35
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    $\begingroup$ PBRT is written with a literate programming approach, which means that the book not only explains the whole theory but also the entire implementation almost line by line. It is an amazing book and well worth a read if you're interested in the topic. Make sure to get the newly released 3rd edition ;) $\endgroup$
    – tizian
    Nov 11, 2016 at 11:08
  • $\begingroup$ @tizian As a beginner who has never written a single ray tracer before should I buy it? I plan to do the scratchapixel tutorials online but once I'm done with that should I buy the book? $\endgroup$
    – Arjan Singh
    Nov 11, 2016 at 13:30
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    $\begingroup$ @ArjanSingh although book recommendation questions are off topic here on main, you could ask about it in Computer Graphics Chat. $\endgroup$
    – trichoplax is on Codidact now
    Nov 12, 2016 at 9:40

2 Answers 2

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For an introduction, you can give a look at: Ray Tracing from the Ground Up (Amazon link here).

Cover

It starts really from the basics, and provides simple implementations for the concepts that are gradually introduced.

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    $\begingroup$ This book is very great. It's written in a very pleasant way and doesn't scare with advanced maths very early on. $\endgroup$
    – lukas.pukenis
    Nov 11, 2016 at 13:56
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Not a book, but here's an online write-up about the basics of Monte Carlo path tracing: Path Tracing – Getting Started With Diffuse and Emissive | The blog at the bottom of the sea

I've also heard good things a out Peter Shirley's books. In particular "Ray Tracing in one Weekend" Ray Tracing in One Weekend (Ray Tracing Minibooks Book 1) Kindle Edition | amazon.com

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