Editing Radiosity (computer graphics) (section)

== Confusion about terminology ==
Radiosity was perhaps the first rendering algorithm in widespread use which accounted for diffuse indirect lighting.  Earlier rendering algorithms, such as [[J. Turner Whitted|Whitted-style]] [[ray tracing (graphics)|ray tracing]] were capable of computing effects such as reflections, refractions, and shadows, but despite being highly global phenomena, these effects were not commonly referred to as "[[global illumination]]."  As a consequence, the terms "[[diffuse interreflection]]" and "radiosity" both became confused with "global illumination" in popular [[parlance]].  However, the three are distinct concepts.

The radiosity method, in the context of computer graphics, derives from (and is fundamentally the same as) the radiosity method in [[heat transfer]]. In this context, [[Radiosity (heat transfer)|radiosity]] is the total radiative flux (both reflected and re-radiated) leaving a surface; this is also sometimes known as [[radiant exitance]]. Calculation of radiosity, rather than surface temperatures, is a key aspect of the radiosity method that permits [[linear matrix]] methods to be applied to the problem.