Radiosity

Radiosity is a technique used in CGI (computer-generated imagery) to create images with photorealistic global illumination. It approximates the complex diffusion of light on material surfaces, using an engineering technique called FEM, the "finite element method." The probability of illumination is subdivided into smaller problems, called finite elements, that can be solved algebraically.

Many ray tracers use radiosity, in combination with optical effects such as diffuse reflection, to create soft lights and shadows.

Computer acronyms, Shadow, Software terms