ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Möller-Trumbore algorithm

Okay kiddo, let me explain the Möller-Trumbore algorithm to you.

Imagine you have a big block of ice in the shape of a triangle. You also have a laser pointer and you want to shine it through the ice and see where it comes out. But you don't want to shine it through just anywhere, you want to shine it through the edges of the triangle.

Now, the Möller-Trumbore algorithm is like a set of rules for figuring out where the laser pointer will come out on the other side of the ice triangle. The rules say that you have to use some math to find the intersection point between the laser beam and the edges of the triangle.

First, you need to find the normal vector of the triangle, which is like a little arrow that points straight out of the triangle. Then you find the dot product of the laser's direction vector and the normal vector of the triangle. If this dot product is zero, that means the laser is parallel to the triangle and won't hit it.

If the dot product is not zero, you then use it to calculate the distance between the start point of the laser and the triangle. Then, you find the intersection point between the laser and the triangle, which tells you where the laser would come out on the other side of the ice.

So that's basically what the Möller-Trumbore algorithm does - it uses math to figure out where a laser beam would come out if you shone it through the edges of a triangle. It's really useful for computer graphics, like making 3D models and video games, because it helps to create more realistic and accurate animations.