Photo Realistic Wind Waker, Need I Say More?
Posted on July 01 2011 by Nathanial Rumphol-Janc
Reddit member thepixelartist has posted several images of Outset Island from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker this morning, all of which have been re-rendered using raytracing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not only has this Wind Waker environment been re-rendered using raytracing and minor setting changes, but thepixelartist, who coincidentally is a 3D artist, also went in a buffed up the textures.
 
This is really nice work, especially since he did it within an afternoon. It only makes me more excited for what Zelda HD will look like on the Wii U.
 
EDIT: Being a 3D artist myself, I forget that jargon I’m exposed to everyday isn’t common knowledge. So, for those of you wondering what raytracing is, it is process in 3D graphics programs, such as Maya, where paths of light are run through algorithms. Basically, the program calculates how the light would bounce off a virtual object and how shadows are cast. There are other render methods within 3D programs besides raytracing, but raytracing is known for creating highly realistic renders. While, I’m not positive, I’d guess that the original WW game was rendered using mental ray, as I’ve been experimenting with that technique for a cel-shaded piece of my own.
 
Source: Reddit
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