Report: Rendering Fire in Video Games

A report I have written for my master's degree entitled "Overview of the Techniques for Rendering Fire in Video Games".

The document explains several common rendering techniques and tricks that are used to render fire in 3D games. The explanations are followed by the making and breakdown of a stylized campfire and a semi-realistic torch fire.

Abstract

The present document aims to highlight different techniques that are commonly used to render fire in the context of 3D video games. We split the rendering of fire into five different components that each have their own constraints: the flame, smoke, ember sparks, the glow, and heat haze. For each of these aspects, several techniques are presented, and some of their advantages and disadvantages are highlighted.