This image was created as a test for VRay’s advanced micro displacement feature. The geometric object you see below is a simple 16×16 grid plane with a basic 288 triangles / 144 quads. VRay’s displacement technology is able to subdivide geometry at rendertime.

Treating a standard image for optimal displacement is difficult. While this is hardly a good example, it does show the basic procedure of stripping fine detail from an image, neutralizing tones to medium grey, and enhancing edges.

This has been rendered with global illumination lighting in combination with traditional lighting techniques and VRay Area shadows. The original was rendered at 2240×2240.