Environment mapping is a
texture mapping technique used to simulate reflection or refraction
by modelling the background environment.
The
texture stores the appearance of the distant environment surrounding the
object. This is typically implemented as
a
cubemap texture, which consists of six images
arranged on the sides of a cube (like a skybox)
- In reflection
mapping,
texture coordinates
simulate the reflection of the light off the surface. Example:
Shiny guy in Terminator 2.
- In refraction
mapping,
texture coordinates simulate the refraction of the light through the
surface.