From 5dfe527b27123140f09d1c5c3b4742e86636055b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: AfonsoCMSousa <afonsoclerigomendessousa@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:58:18 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] Added the roadmad

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+# 🚀 Raytracer Project Roadmap
+
+This roadmap breaks down the essential steps to build your CPU-based raytracer from scratch in C++.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 1: Foundations & Core Engine
+- [ ] Set up vector math utilities (`vec3`): add, subtract, dot, cross, normalize  
+- [ ] Implement Ray class — origin, direction, basic functions  
+- [ ] Basic Sphere object — position, radius, material properties  
+- [ ] Ray-Sphere intersection logic — the core of your renderer  
+- [ ] Camera setup — generate rays through the viewport  
+- [ ] Scene structure — manage objects and lights  
+
+---
+
+## Phase 2: Lighting & Shading Basics
+- [ ] Diffuse shading (Lambertian reflection) — basic light bounce for realism  
+- [ ] Implement simple light sources: directional, point lights  
+- [ ] Shadow rays — cast rays toward lights to check occlusion  
+- [ ] Basic materials — color, albedo, reflectivity factor  
+
+---
+
+## Phase 3: Reflection & Recursion
+- [ ] Reflection rays — mirror-like reflections with recursion depth limit  
+- [ ] (Optional) Refraction — transparent materials like glass  
+- [ ] Recursive ray tracing — combine reflections & lighting  
+
+---
+
+## Phase 4: Image Output & Performance
+- [ ] Render to PPM file (or PNG with `stb_image_write`)  
+- [ ] Anti-aliasing — supersampling for smooth edges  
+- [ ] Multi-threading (OpenMP or `std::thread`) for parallel speedup  
+- [ ] Optimize math operations — use inline functions, `constexpr` where possible  
+
+---
+
+## Phase 5: Scene & Object Expansion
+- [ ] Add more shapes: planes, triangles (for meshes)  
+- [ ] OBJ file loader — import 3D models  
+- [ ] Material system — metals, dielectrics, diffuse, emissive lights  
+- [ ] Texture mapping (UV mapping) — add realistic surface detail  
+- [ ] Multiple light sources with falloff  
+
+---
+
+## Phase 6: Advanced Features (Flex Mode ON)
+- [ ] Global Illumination / Path Tracing (big brain mode)  
+- [ ] Depth of field camera effect  
+- [ ] Motion blur  
+- [ ] HDR environment maps for reflections and lighting  
+- [ ] GUI or real-time preview (super ambitious)  
+
+---