What is caustics in Photoworks/Photoview 360?

What is it and what is used for?

1 Answer

For definition caustics are:

When light refracts through or reflects off of a surface, these bent rays are focused together, creating a bright pattern referred to as a caustic.(SolidWorks help).

In addition to reflective and refractive, there are two other types of caustics:

Indirect caustics
Caustics created by indirect lighting (scene illumination).
Indirect refractive caustics are always on in SolidWorks.
Indirect reflective caustics are always off in SolidWorks.
Direct caustics
Caustics created by direct lighting, including spot or point lights.
Directional lights do not affect direct or indirect caustics.
Direct caustics are only visible when reflected off a floor appearance or real geometry.

Answered with a tutorial: https://grabcad.com/tutorials/what-is-caustics-in-photoworks-photoview-360