Photon Maps - Outdated?

[jujubee]

I'm just curious if anyone still uses photon maps and wonder if it's completely deprecated. I know I haven't touched them since Lightcache first came out. Any particular uses still?

[gadzooks]

Same here. havent touched them in atleast a year and a half.

[Dynedain]

Still usefull for caustics, but other than that....

[natty]

nope ... not for some time.

[jujubee]

Are caustics ONLY generated by Photons?

[vlado]

Are caustics ONLY generated by Photons?

In some particular sitations (small or point lights and very shiny surfaces) photon mapping may be the only plausible method for calculating caustics. However in general you can also generate caustics with all other GI engines, but depending on the situation, they may be slowish to calculate.

Best regards,
Vlado