Cycles: adjust Sky texture intensity to follow physical units

The sky will appear brighter than before by default. To compensate for this,
lower exposure in the Film panel. The default altitude was also changed from
90 to 15 degrees.

Patch contributed by Marco with the help of Ryan Jones.

Differential Revision: https://developer.blender.org/D8285

intern/cycles/kernel/shaders/node_sky_texture.osl

@@ -204,8 +204,8 @@ color sky_radiance_nishita(vector dir, float nishita_data[10], string filename)
             mul;
     }
   }
-  /* convert to RGB and adjust strength */
-  return xyz_to_rgb(xyz[0], xyz[1], xyz[2]) * 120000.0;
+  /* convert to RGB */
+  return xyz_to_rgb(xyz[0], xyz[1], xyz[2]);
 }
 
 shader node_sky_texture(

intern/cycles/kernel/svm/svm_sky.h

@@ -205,8 +205,8 @@ ccl_device float3 sky_radiance_nishita(KernelGlobals *kg,
     }
   }
 
-  /* convert to rgb and adjust strength */
-  return xyz_to_rgb(kg, xyz) * 120000.0f;
+  /* convert to RGB */
+  return xyz_to_rgb(kg, xyz);
 }
 
 ccl_device void svm_node_tex_sky(

intern/cycles/render/nodes.cpp

@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@ NODE_DEFINE(SkyTextureNode)
   SOCKET_BOOLEAN(sun_disc, "Sun Disc", true);
   SOCKET_FLOAT(sun_size, "Sun Size", 0.009512f);
   SOCKET_FLOAT(sun_intensity, "Sun Intensity", 1.0f);
-  SOCKET_FLOAT(sun_elevation, "Sun Elevation", M_PI_2_F);
+  SOCKET_FLOAT(sun_elevation, "Sun Elevation", 15.0f * M_PI_F / 180.0f);
   SOCKET_FLOAT(sun_rotation, "Sun Rotation", 0.0f);
   SOCKET_FLOAT(altitude, "Altitude", 1.0f);
   SOCKET_FLOAT(air_density, "Air", 1.0f);

intern/sky/source/sky_nishita.cpp

@@ -18,20 +18,21 @@
 #include "sky_model.h"
 
 /* Constants */
-static const float rayleigh_scale = 8000.0f;        // Rayleigh scale height (m)
-static const float mie_scale = 1200.0f;             // Mie scale height (m)
-static const float mie_coeff = 2e-5f;               // Mie scattering coefficient
-static const float mie_G = 0.76f;                   // aerosols anisotropy
-static const float sqr_G = mie_G * mie_G;           // squared aerosols anisotropy
-static const float earth_radius = 6360000.0f;       // radius of Earth (m)
-static const float atmosphere_radius = 6420000.0f;  // radius of atmosphere (m)
-static const int steps = 32;                        // segments per primary ray
-static const int steps_light = 16;                  // segments per sun connection ray
-static const int num_wavelengths = 21;              // number of wavelengths
-static const int max_luminous_efficacy = 683;       // maximum luminous efficacy
-static const float step_lambda = (num_wavelengths - 1) *
-                                 1e-9f;  // step between each sampled wavelength
-/* irradiance at top of atmosphere */
+static const float rayleigh_scale = 8e3f;        // Rayleigh scale height (m)
+static const float mie_scale = 1.2e3f;           // Mie scale height (m)
+static const float mie_coeff = 2e-5f;            // Mie scattering coefficient (m^-1)
+static const float mie_G = 0.76f;                // aerosols anisotropy
+static const float sqr_G = mie_G * mie_G;        // squared aerosols anisotropy
+static const float earth_radius = 6360e3f;       // radius of Earth (m)
+static const float atmosphere_radius = 6420e3f;  // radius of atmosphere (m)
+static const int steps = 32;                     // segments of primary ray
+static const int steps_light = 16;               // segments of sun connection ray
+static const int num_wavelengths = 21;           // number of wavelengths
+static const int min_wavelength = 380;           // lowest sampled wavelength (nm)
+static const int max_wavelength = 780;           // highest sampled wavelength (nm)
+// step between each sampled wavelength (nm)
+static const float step_lambda = (max_wavelength - min_wavelength) / (num_wavelengths - 1);
+/* Sun irradiance on top of the atmosphere (W*m^-2*nm^-1) */
 static const float irradiance[] = {
     1.45756829855592995315f, 1.56596305559738380175f, 1.65148449067670455293f,
     1.71496242737209314555f, 1.75797983805020541226f, 1.78256407885924539336f,
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ static const float irradiance[] = {
     1.61993437242451854274f, 1.57083597368892080581f, 1.51932335059305478886f,
     1.46628494965214395407f, 1.41245852740172450623f, 1.35844961970384092709f,
     1.30474913844739281998f, 1.25174963272610817455f, 1.19975998755420620867f};
-/* Rayleigh scattering coefficient */
+/* Rayleigh scattering coefficient (m^-1) */
 static const float rayleigh_coeff[] = {
     0.00005424820087636473f, 0.00004418549866505454f, 0.00003635151910165377f,
     0.00003017929012024763f, 0.00002526320226989157f, 0.00002130859310621843f,
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ static const float rayleigh_coeff[] = {
     0.00000765513700977967f, 0.00000674217203751443f, 0.00000596134125832052f,
     0.00000529034598065810f, 0.00000471115687557433f, 0.00000420910481110487f,
     0.00000377218381260133f, 0.00000339051255477280f, 0.00000305591531679811f};
-/* Ozone absorption coefficient */
+/* Ozone absorption coefficient (m^-1) */
 static const float ozone_coeff[] = {
     0.00000000325126849861f, 0.00000000585395365047f, 0.00000001977191155085f,
     0.00000007309568762914f, 0.00000020084561514287f, 0.00000040383958096161f,
@@ -94,11 +95,10 @@ static float3 spec_to_xyz(float *spectrum)
     xyz.y += cmf_xyz[i][1] * spectrum[i];
     xyz.z += cmf_xyz[i][2] * spectrum[i];
   }
-  return xyz * step_lambda * max_luminous_efficacy;
+  return xyz * step_lambda;
 }
 
 /* Atmosphere volume models */
-
 static float density_rayleigh(float height)
 {
   return expf(-height / rayleigh_scale);
@@ -135,11 +135,13 @@ static bool surface_intersection(float3 pos, float3 dir)
 {
   if (dir.z >= 0)
     return false;
-  float t = dot(dir, -pos) / len_squared(dir);
-  float D = pos.x * pos.x - 2.0f * (-pos.x) * dir.x * t + dir.x * t * dir.x * t + pos.y * pos.y -
-            2.0f * (-pos.y) * dir.y * t + (dir.y * t) * (dir.y * t) + pos.z * pos.z -
-            2.0f * (-pos.z) * dir.z * t + dir.z * t * dir.z * t;
-  return (D <= sqr(earth_radius));
+  float b = -2.0f * dot(dir, -pos);
+  float c = len_squared(pos) - sqr(earth_radius);
+  float t = b * b - 4.0f * c;
+  if (t >= 0.0f)
+    return true;
+  else
+    return false;
 }
 
 static float3 atmosphere_intersection(float3 pos, float3 dir)
@@ -152,41 +154,40 @@ static float3 atmosphere_intersection(float3 pos, float3 dir)
 
 static float3 ray_optical_depth(float3 ray_origin, float3 ray_dir)
 {
-  /* This code computes the optical depth along a ray through the atmosphere. */
+  /* this code computes the optical depth along a ray through the atmosphere */
   float3 ray_end = atmosphere_intersection(ray_origin, ray_dir);
   float ray_length = distance(ray_origin, ray_end);
 
-  /* To compute the optical depth, we step along the ray in segments and
-   * accumulate the optical depth along each segment. */
+  /* to compute the optical depth, we step along the ray in segments and
+   * accumulate the optical depth along each segment */
   float segment_length = ray_length / steps_light;
   float3 segment = segment_length * ray_dir;
 
-  /* Instead of tracking the transmission spectrum across all wavelengths directly,
+  /* instead of tracking the transmission spectrum across all wavelengths directly,
    * we use the fact that the density always has the same spectrum for each type of
    * scattering, so we split the density into a constant spectrum and a factor and
-   * only track the factors. */
+   * only track the factors */
   float3 optical_depth = make_float3(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f);
 
-  /* The density of each segment is evaluated at its middle. */
+  /* the density of each segment is evaluated at its middle */
   float3 P = ray_origin + 0.5f * segment;
 
   for (int i = 0; i < steps_light; i++) {
-    /* Compute height above sea level. */
+    /* height above sea level */
     float height = len(P) - earth_radius;
 
-    /* Accumulate optical depth of this segment (density is assumed to be constant along it). */
+    /* accumulate optical depth of this segment (density is assumed to be constant along it) */
     float3 density = make_float3(
         density_rayleigh(height), density_mie(height), density_ozone(height));
     optical_depth += density;
 
-    /* Advance along ray. */
+    /* advance along ray */
     P += segment;
   }
 
   return optical_depth * segment_length;
 }
 
-/* Single Scattering implementation */
 static void single_scattering(float3 ray_dir,
                               float3 sun_dir,
                               float3 ray_origin,
@@ -195,45 +196,45 @@ static void single_scattering(float3 ray_dir,
                               float ozone_density,
                               float *r_spectrum)
 {
-  /* This code computes single-inscattering along a ray through the atmosphere. */
+  /* this code computes single-inscattering along a ray through the atmosphere */
   float3 ray_end = atmosphere_intersection(ray_origin, ray_dir);
   float ray_length = distance(ray_origin, ray_end);
 
-  /* To compute the inscattering, we step along the ray in segments and accumulate
-   * the inscattering as well as the optical depth along each segment. */
+  /* to compute the inscattering, we step along the ray in segments and accumulate
+   * the inscattering as well as the optical depth along each segment */
   float segment_length = ray_length / steps;
   float3 segment = segment_length * ray_dir;
 
-  /* Instead of tracking the transmission spectrum across all wavelengths directly,
+  /* instead of tracking the transmission spectrum across all wavelengths directly,
    * we use the fact that the density always has the same spectrum for each type of
    * scattering, so we split the density into a constant spectrum and a factor and
-   * only track the factors. */
+   * only track the factors */
   float3 optical_depth = make_float3(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f);
 
-  /* Zero out light accumulation. */
+  /* zero out light accumulation */
   for (int wl = 0; wl < num_wavelengths; wl++) {
     r_spectrum[wl] = 0.0f;
   }
 
-  /* Compute phase function for scattering and the density scale factor. */
+  /* phase function for scattering and the density scale factor */
   float mu = dot(ray_dir, sun_dir);
   float3 phase_function = make_float3(phase_rayleigh(mu), phase_mie(mu), 0.0f);
   float3 density_scale = make_float3(air_density, dust_density, ozone_density);
 
-  /* The density and in-scattering of each segment is evaluated at its middle. */
+  /* the density and in-scattering of each segment is evaluated at its middle */
   float3 P = ray_origin + 0.5f * segment;
 
   for (int i = 0; i < steps; i++) {
-    /* Compute height above sea level. */
+    /* height above sea level */
     float height = len(P) - earth_radius;
 
-    /* Evaluate and accumulate optical depth along the ray. */
+    /* evaluate and accumulate optical depth along the ray */
     float3 density = density_scale * make_float3(density_rayleigh(height),
                                                  density_mie(height),
                                                  density_ozone(height));
     optical_depth += segment_length * density;
 
-    /* If the earth isn't in the way, evaluate inscattering from the sun. */
+    /* if the Earth isn't in the way, evaluate inscattering from the sun */
     if (!surface_intersection(P, sun_dir)) {
       float3 light_optical_depth = density_scale * ray_optical_depth(P, sun_dir);
       float3 total_optical_depth = optical_depth + light_optical_depth;
@@ -247,7 +248,7 @@ static void single_scattering(float3 ray_dir,
 
         float3 scattering_density = density * make_float3(rayleigh_coeff[wl], mie_coeff, 0.0f);
 
-        /* The total inscattered radiance from one segment is:
+        /* the total inscattered radiance from one segment is:
          * Tr(A<->B) * Tr(B<->C) * sigma_s * phase * L * segment_length
          *
          * These terms are:
@@ -258,19 +259,18 @@ static void single_scattering(float3 ray_dir,
          * length of the segment
          *
          * The code here is just that, with a bit of additional optimization to not store full
-         * spectra for the optical depth.
+         * spectra for the optical depth
          */
         r_spectrum[wl] += attenuation * reduce_add(phase_function * scattering_density) *
                           irradiance[wl] * segment_length;
       }
     }
 
-    /* Advance along ray. */
+    /* advance along ray */
     P += segment;
   }
 }
 
-/* calculate texture array */
 void SKY_nishita_skymodel_precompute_texture(float *pixels,
                                              int stride,
                                              int start_y,
@@ -305,6 +305,7 @@ void SKY_nishita_skymodel_precompute_texture(float *pixels,
       single_scattering(dir, sun_dir, cam_pos, air_density, dust_density, ozone_density, spectrum);
       float3 xyz = spec_to_xyz(spectrum);
 
+      /* store pixels */
       int pos_x = x * stride;
       pixel_row[pos_x] = xyz.x;
       pixel_row[pos_x + 1] = xyz.y;
@@ -318,7 +319,7 @@ void SKY_nishita_skymodel_precompute_texture(float *pixels,
   }
 }
 
-/* Sun disc */
+/*********** Sun ***********/
 static void sun_radiation(float3 cam_dir,
                           float altitude,
                           float air_density,
@@ -329,9 +330,9 @@ static void sun_radiation(float3 cam_dir,
   float3 cam_pos = make_float3(0, 0, earth_radius + altitude);
   float3 optical_depth = ray_optical_depth(cam_pos, cam_dir);
 
-  /* Compute final spectrum. */
+  /* compute final spectrum */
   for (int i = 0; i < num_wavelengths; i++) {
-    /* Combine spectra and the optical depth into transmittance. */
+    /* combine spectra and the optical depth into transmittance */
     float transmittance = rayleigh_coeff[i] * optical_depth.x * air_density +
                           1.11f * mie_coeff * optical_depth.y * dust_density;
     r_spectrum[i] = irradiance[i] * expf(-transmittance) / solid_angle;

source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_nodetree.c

@@ -4448,7 +4448,7 @@ static void def_sh_tex_sky(StructRNA *srna)
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, 0, "rna_ShaderNode_socket_update");
 
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "sun_size", PROP_FLOAT, PROP_ANGLE);
-  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Sun Size", "Size of sun disc (angular diameter)");
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Sun Size", "Size of sun disc");
   RNA_def_property_range(prop, 0.0f, M_PI_2);
   RNA_def_property_float_default(prop, DEG2RADF(0.545));
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_NODE | NA_EDITED, "rna_Node_update");
@@ -4460,7 +4460,7 @@ static void def_sh_tex_sky(StructRNA *srna)
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_NODE | NA_EDITED, "rna_Node_update");
 
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "sun_elevation", PROP_FLOAT, PROP_ANGLE);
-  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Sun Elevation", "Angle between sun and horizon");
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Sun Elevation", "Sun angle from horizon");
   RNA_def_property_range(prop, -M_PI_2, M_PI_2);
   RNA_def_property_float_default(prop, M_PI_2);
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_NODE | NA_EDITED, "rna_Node_update");
@@ -4471,25 +4471,25 @@ static void def_sh_tex_sky(StructRNA *srna)
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_NODE | NA_EDITED, "rna_Node_update");
 
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "altitude", PROP_FLOAT, PROP_NONE);
-  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Altitude", "Height from sea level in km");
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Altitude", "Height from sea level");
   RNA_def_property_range(prop, 0.0f, 60.0f);
   RNA_def_property_float_default(prop, 0.0f);
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_NODE | NA_EDITED, "rna_Node_update");
 
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "air_density", PROP_FLOAT, PROP_FACTOR);
-  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Air", "Density of air molecules (Rayleigh scattering)");
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Air", "Density of air molecules");
   RNA_def_property_range(prop, 0.0f, 10.0f);
   RNA_def_property_float_default(prop, 1.0f);
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_NODE | NA_EDITED, "rna_Node_update");
 
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "dust_density", PROP_FLOAT, PROP_FACTOR);
-  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Dust", "Density of dust and water molecules (Mie scattering)");
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Dust", "Density of dust molecules and water droplets");
   RNA_def_property_range(prop, 0.0f, 10.0f);
   RNA_def_property_float_default(prop, 1.0f);
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_NODE | NA_EDITED, "rna_Node_update");
 
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "ozone_density", PROP_FLOAT, PROP_FACTOR);
-  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Ozone", "Density of Ozone layer (Ozone absorption)");
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Ozone", "Density of Ozone layer");
   RNA_def_property_range(prop, 0.0f, 10.0f);
   RNA_def_property_float_default(prop, 1.0f);
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_NODE | NA_EDITED, "rna_Node_update");

source/blender/nodes/shader/nodes/node_shader_tex_sky.c

@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@ static void node_shader_init_tex_sky(bNodeTree *UNUSED(ntree), bNode *node)
   tex->turbidity = 2.2f;
   tex->ground_albedo = 0.3f;
   tex->sun_disc = true;
-  tex->sun_size = DEG2RADF(0.545);
+  tex->sun_size = DEG2RADF(0.545f);
   tex->sun_intensity = 1.0f;
-  tex->sun_elevation = M_PI_2;
+  tex->sun_elevation = DEG2RADF(15.0f);
   tex->sun_rotation = 0.0f;
   tex->altitude = 0.0f;
   tex->air_density = 1.0f;