Basic Ray Tracing allows the study of reflection patterns within the model by emitting rays whose reflection paths can be viewed and investigated. The rays are emitted through the loudspeaker system and traced until they reach a predetermined limit.
Users can view the results in many ways. One way is to step through the rays one by one and view their path. An associated read out displays information on the ray’s path and final SPL level.

If multiple loudspeakers were used in the simulation, the user can selectively turn them on and off to study the ray paths from individual or multiple loudspeakers.

The program also has the ability to limit the display to rays generated within the loudspeaker(s) -3 dB, -6 dB or -9 dB coverage cones. The display below was made with the rays limited to those made within the loudspeaker’s -3 dB coverage cone. Notice how clearly it shows the reflections off the floor into the under balcony area.

Another option allows users to view the first order reflections from a specific Face or faces in the same color as the face color. This option is useful in determining the proper inclination of reflectors or side wall panels and in studying reflections from troublesome faces. In the graphic below, Reflections from the ceiling are red in color and those off the right side wall are blue.

Movies are another Ray Tracing option. They provide a vivid and illuminating movie of the propagation of the sound waves into the room. In the display below the changing colors show the SPL loss in dB. Setup options also allow the reflection order and SPL levels to be shown by changes in color.

Comparatively few rays are needed to produce the quantity needed for these reflection path studies and for the movies; usually only a few hundred rays and low reflection orders are required.

As informative and useful as these EASE and EASE JR reflection studies are, they do not provide the detailed information needed for in-depth acoustical analysis and for EARS auralizations.
This requires either Mirror Image Impact or Find Impact studies.