ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Path tracing

Path tracing is a way of making 3D computer graphics look realistic. It works by taking millions of tiny "rays" of light and tracing them through a 3D scene. Each ray of light bounces around, reflecting off surfaces and bouncing between each other, until it eventually reaches a light source. The computer keeps track of each ray of light and adds up the amount of light it has picked up along the way. This way, the computer can create an image that looks natural, just like a real-life photo.
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