Question

Ray refraction and how to keep track of the environment type?

Should my Ray object know about the environment it is in? For example is it
air, glass, or else? By knowing the environment, i mean knowing the refraction index.
That way, when it hits a surface I can get the hit surface refraction index, and I can
compute the refracted ray.

Any suggestions how to manage this whole thing, the ray moving through different environments?

Thanks

Answer 1

The question is really about code design finding the simplest answer for your needs. You might find this answer useful,

How to deal with refraction when the rays start inside of a nested object

It solves the same problem.