Ambient occlusion

File:Aocclude insectambient.jpg

Ambient occlusion on a 3D model of a bug. Notice how the legs block light from the body, and so the body appears dark next to the legs.

Ambient occlusion is a technique or series of techniques used in 3D computer graphics to estimate how light behaves more accurately. Inner crevices of objects (or space where two objects are close to each other) have less light and appear darker (have more shadow).

Imagine being inside a matte world with even light; the surface color is exactly the same everywhere, so you shouldn't be able to see any corners or edges; because of the described effect, you can.

Ambient Occlusion Media

• 

  The ambient occlusion map (middle image) for this scene darkens only the innermost angles of corners.

• 3D animation of ambient occlusion enabled on the animation to the right

• In this example the bent normal Nb has a direction that does not allow it to illuminate the scene as it is pointing at an occluded surface.