--- ray/doc/ray.1 2024/12/09 19:21:38 1.47 +++ ray/doc/ray.1 2025/05/30 16:35:52 1.49 @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -.\" RCSid "$Id: ray.1,v 1.47 2024/12/09 19:21:38 greg Exp $" +.\" RCSid "$Id: ray.1,v 1.49 2025/05/30 16:35:52 greg Exp $" .\" Print using the -ms macro package .DA 12/09/2024 .LP @@ -422,6 +422,25 @@ mod mirror id 0 3 red green blue .DE +While alternate materials that are reflective will appear as normal, +indirect rays will use the mirror's reflectance rather than the +alternate type. +Transmitting materials are an exception, where both transmission and +reflection will use the alternate type for all rays not specifically +targeting virtual light sources. +In this case, it is important that any reflections be purely specular +(mirror-like) and equal to the mirror's reflectivity +to maintain a valid result. +A pure diffuse reflection may be added if desired. +.PP +The mirror material type reflects light sources only from the front side +of a surface, regardless of any alternate material. +If virtual source generation is desired on both sides, two coincident +surfaces with opposite normal orientations may be employed to achieve +this effect. +The reflectance and alternate material type may be +different for the overlapped surfaces, +and the two sides will behave accordingly. .LP .UL Prism1 .PP