Doctoral Thesis

Real-Time Light Field Rendering Acceleration on GPU

Final Thesis 94.78 MB Appendix 72.04 MB Summary of Thesis 94.78 MB

Author of thesis: Ing. Tomáš Chlubna, Ph.D.

Acad. year: 2023/2024

Supervisor: prof. Dr. Ing. Pavel Zemčík, dr. h. c.

Reviewers: prof. Alan Chalmers, Dr., Ing. David Sedláček, Ph.D.

Abstract:

This thesis describes original proposals regarding light field rendering, focusing, compression, streaming, and methods for its optimal usage on 3D displays.  Light field rendering is a fast image-based way to render otherwise computationally demanding synthetic or even real-life scenes. An input set of images that captures a scene is used to synthesize a novel view without complex 3D reconstructions. The main scientific contribution of this thesis is a proof of a hypothesis. The hypothesis states that state-of-the-art light field rendering methods can be outperformed by a novel method in terms of visual quality, memory requirements, and time performance. The novel method proposed in this thesis enables the usage of light fields in real time without visual quality degradation and excessive hardware requirements. The hypothesis is proven experimentally and supported by reference implementations and published papers. The thesis also contains other novel proposals that serve as supporting materials for the main method. These proposals address the most crucial issues in light field rendering. The main contribution and other proposals are intended to open a way to the usage of light field assets in the gaming and film industry. This thesis provides an overview of existing state-of-the-art methods, the hypothesis with experimental proof, and a description of proposed applications of light field principles on 3D displays.

Keywords:

light field, 3D display, GPU, image-based rendering, multiple views, plenoptic function

Date of defence

08.11.2024

Result of the defence

Defended (thesis was successfully defended)

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Process of defence

The student presented the goals and results, which he achieved within the solution of the dissertation. The student has competently answered the questions of the committee members and reviewers and guests. The discussion is recorded on the discussion sheets, which are attached to the protocol. Number of discussion sheets: 5. The committee has agreed unanimously that the student has fulfilled requirements for being awarded the academic title Ph.D. Optional: The committee and reviewers recommends awarding the thesis the Dean's prize.

Language of thesis

English

Faculty

Department

Study programme

Computer Science and Engineering (CSE-PHD-4)

Field of study

Computer Science and Engineering (DVI4)

Composition of Committee

prof. Ing. Jiří Jaroš, Ph.D. (předseda)
prof. Alan Chalmers, Dr. (člen)
prof. Ing. Václav Skala, CSc. (člen)
prof. Ing. Jiří Sochor, CSc. (člen)
prof. Ing. Jiří Žára CSc. (člen)

Pan Ing. Tomáš Chlubna zpracoval disertační práci nazvanou „REAL-TIME LIGHT FIELD RENDERING ACCELERATION ON GPU". Téma a zaměření jeho práce je aktuální a zapadá do témat řešených na pracovišti Ústavu počítačové grafiky a multimédií i celkově na FIT. Téma též považuji za důležité, aktuální a přínosné, ale také obtížné.


Vlastní práce Ing. Tomáše Chlubny při disertaci byla zaměřena na zpracování optických polí (Light Field) v různých aplikacích a situacích, například i na kompresi optických polí a na jejich vizualizaci systémem Looking Glass. Hlavním těmatem disertace se ale stalo "zaostřování" optických polí při jejich vizualizaci v reálném čase.


Ing. Tomáš Chlubna během své práce publikoval v uznávaných mezinárodních platformách, jako příklad lze uvést publikaci v časopise Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation (Q1), ale i v několik dalších publikací v časpisech s velmi vysokým hodnocením (Q1, Q2). Zapojil se i do mezinárodních výzkumných projektů, například do projektu SAUCE.Během celého svého působení na fakultě se projevoval jako velmi samostatný, pracovitý a pečlivý člověk.


Jako jeho školitel jsem s jeho prací spokojen a doporučuji ji k obhajobě.

Reviewer’s report
prof. Alan Chalmers, Dr.

In summary, this thesis is a significant body of original work. The candidate has clearly shown a very good knowledge of the field and used this knowledge to identify where significant improvements could be made in the light field rendering, and in particular on a GPI The candidate has then set about introducing his method, proving it experimentally, and clearly demonstrating the benefits his approach can bring.
The candidate’s thesis is certainly worthy of the award of a PhD, and the candidate should be particularly commended on successfully tackling such a challenging topic. Topics for thesis defence:
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Posudek oponenta [.pdf] 146,73 kB

Reviewer’s report
Ing. David Sedláček, Ph.D.

The student has demonstrated in his work that he is capable of independent scientific work. I had no significant comments on the thesis; most of my questions were clarified during the reading of the thesis. In my opinion, the thesis and the student´s achievements until now meet the generally accepted requirements for the award of an academic Ph.D. degree (in accordance with Section 47 of Act No. 111/1998 Coll., on higher education institution). Topics for thesis defence:
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Posudek oponenta [.pdf] 556,18 kB

Responsibility: Mgr. et Mgr. Hana Odstrčilová