Ray Tracing Simulator (SDL3, C++)

A simple 2D ray tracing simulation built using SDL3. This project visualizes rays emitted from a light source interacting with an obstacle (circle).

Features

• Interactive light source (controlled via mouse)
• Multiple rays emitted from a single point
• Ray-circle intersection (basic obstruction)
• Real-time rendering using SDL3
• Clean modular structure (Ray, Circle, rendering functions)

Preview

Demo

![Demo](assets/demo.mp4)

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Screenshots

Ray Simulation

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The simulation displays:

• A light source emitting rays in multiple directions
• A circular obstacle blocking the rays
• Rays stop when they intersect with the obstacle

Tech Stack

• Language: C++
• Graphics Library: SDL3

Project Structure

Ray-Tracing-Simulator/
│
├── main.cpp
├── src/
│   ├── include/        # SDL headers
│   └── lib/            # SDL libraries
│
├── assets/
│   ├── demo.mp4        #  demo recording
│   └── output2.jpg     # screenshot
│
├── README.md
└── SDL3.dll            #Linker

Code Structure

• Ray class → Represents individual rays
• Circle class → Represents objects (light source + obstacle)
• setlines() → Initializes rays with endpoints
• drawlines() → Handles ray rendering and collision logic
• drawcircle1() → Renders light source
• drawcircle2() → Renders obstacle
• main() → Entry point and event loop

How It Works

• Rays originate from a source (first circle)
• Each ray is extended toward a random endpoint on screen edges
• If a ray intersects the obstacle (second circle), it stops at the intersection point
• Otherwise, it continues to its endpoint

Current Implementation

• Rays are generated using multiple random endpoints
• No strict angular distribution yet

Future Improvements

• Uniform angular distribution of rays (true radial emission)
• Ray reflection / bouncing
• Multiple obstacles
• Better collision precision
• Performance optimizations (spatial partitioning, etc.)

Installation & Setup

Requirements

• C++ compiler (G++)
• SDL3 installed (include + lib folders)

Compilation (Windows)

g++ main.cpp -o main.exe -I src/include -L src/lib -lsdl3

Run

./main.exe

SDL3 Cross-Platform Note

SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) is a cross-platform library. It supports:

• Windows
• Linux
• macOS

Controls

• Mouse movement → Moves the light source

Learning Value

This project demonstrates:

• Basic ray casting principles
• Geometry (line-circle intersection)
• Real-time rendering
• SDL event handling

Why This Project Matters

Even though ray tracing is often associated with game engines, this project is valuable for:

• Understanding graphics fundamentals
• Building problem-solving skills in geometry
• Strengthening low-level rendering knowledge

Author

• Aditya Chauhan

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Feel free to fork, modify, and extend this project 🚀