Blender Master Class

Reflection

We see objects because our eyes detect the light that bounces off them. The appearance of a surface is thus determined by the precise way in which it interacts with light, which is in turn determined by the structure and composition of the material.

In the real world, matte surfaces, like rock and rubber, have a rough structure on a microscopic scale. Light bounces off them in all directions, and as a result, the light you see reflected looks much the same no matter which direction you look at the surface from. This is called diffuse reflection.

In contrast, polished surfaces are relatively smooth, even at microscopic scales. This means that you’ll see a perfect reflection when you look at the surface, and as you move your viewpoint, ...