---
title: "Physically Based Real-Time Translucency for Leaves"
authors: ["Ralf Habel", "Alexander Kusternig", "Michael Wimmer"]
year: 2007
venue: "Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics and Games (I3D)"
arxiv: null
doi: "10.1145/1185657.1185727"
source: "https://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/research/publications/2007/Habel_2007_PPL/"
topics: [translucent-materials]
seed_rank: 1313
seed_batch: "sss-translucent-2026-08-25"
reviewed: "2026-08-25"
pool: "graphics"
relevance_score: 8
lineage: translucent-materials
cites:
  - title: "Reflection from Layered Surfaces due to Subsurface Scattering"
    url: "https://doi.org/10.1145/166117.166139"
    year: 1993
    arxiv: null
    doi: "10.1145/166117.166139"
  - title: "An Algorithmic Reflectance and Transmittance Model for Plant Tissue"
    url: "https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8659.00150"
    year: 1997
    arxiv: null
    doi: "10.1111/1467-8659.00150"
see:
  - "1247-reflection-from-layered-surfaces-due-to-subsurface-scattering"
  - "1322-an-algorithmic-reflectance-and-transmittance-model-for-plant-tissue"
---

# Physically Based Real-Time Translucency for Leaves

## One-sentence takeaway

Habel I3D 2007: the games/film leaf-translucency material (BTDF + thickness).

## Problem

Predecessor chain Hanrahan-Krueger leaves; Baranoski plant tissue. This paper's job: Habel I3D 2007: the games/film leaf-translucency material (BTDF + thickness).

## Design

Habel I3D 2007: the games/film leaf-translucency material (BTDF + thickness). Lineage: Hanrahan-Krueger leaves; Baranoski plant tissue.

## Evidence

Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics and Games (I3D) 2007. DOI `10.1145/1185657.1185727`. Habel I3D 2007: the games/film leaf-translucency material (BTDF + thickness).

## Limitations

Real-time approximation. Misses off-screen lighting and thick-part transport. Not a replacement for path-traced SSS.

## Implications for Broadside

Leaves and plant tissue are thin translucent slabs — the same missing SSS/BTDF stack as skin. Anoptic's mesh renderer has no foliage translucency yet. Do not claim they already have SSS.

## Bottom line

Mint this 2007 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics and Games (I3D) paper. Habel I3D 2007: the games/film leaf-translucency material (BTDF + thickness).

## Links

- DOI: [10.1145/1185657.1185727](https://doi.org/10.1145/1185657.1185727)
- Source: https://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/research/publications/2007/Habel_2007_PPL/