Snap has unveiled major updates to its Snap Lens augmented reality (AR) platform, XR Today reports.

The Snap Lens studio incorporated Ray Tracing for developers last April to improve the immersion and realism of AR content. The latest feature for Snap Lens will provide developers with advanced light reflection tools for virtual content, creating super-realistic digital assets.

These will allow users to add extra realism when viewing objects such as jewellery, clothing, machinery, furniture and more. People around the world use Snap Lens for a number of use cases, including trying on augmented reality clothing, shopping, filters, leisure and gaming, and more.

The world’s first to use the technology, Tiffany & Co, has started using Snap’s Ray Tracing in its Snapchat-based Tiffany Lock Lens. Potential customers can use the AR filter to try on the firm’s lockable bracelets and purchase items without leaving the app, XR Today further reports.

According to NVIDIA, ray tracing simulates lighting effects in virtual scenes and objects with cutting-edge rendering tools. These accurately display shadows, lighting, light refraction, and reflections for people using digital assets and immersive content.

Lighting adjusts to the field of view (FoV) and the angle of the viewing position in a headset or device. Depending on the positioning of real-time 3D (RT3D) assets and scenery, ray tracing will change the lighting from their respective sources in the environment.

Ray tracing tools from NVIDIA, Epic Games, and Unity Technologies also use ray tracing processes to boost efficiency rather than monitoring all of the light trajectories from their respective sources.

The most frequent use cases for ray tracing take place in film, television, and video games. Additional sources include the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries.