This paper introduces a practical model for subsurface light transport in translucent materials. The model enables efficient simulation of effects that BRDF models cannot capture, such as color bleeding within materials and diffusion of light across shadow boundaries. The technique is efficient even for anisotropic, highly scattering media that are expensive to simulate using existing methods. The model combines an exact solution for single scattering with a dipole point source diffusion approximation for multiple scattering. We also have designed a new, rapid image-based measurement technique for determining the optical properties of translucent materials. We validate the model by comparing predicted and measured values and show how the technique can be used to recover the optical properties of a variety of materials, including milk, marble, and skin. Finally, we describe sampling techniques that allow the model to be used within a conventional ray tracer. The paper discusses the theory behind subsurface scattering, including the BSSRDF (Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Function), which relates the outgoing radiance to the incident flux. The model uses a diffusion approximation for multiple scattering and a single scattering term for accurate simulation. The BSSRDF model is a combination of the diffusion approximation and the single scattering term, allowing for efficient simulation of subsurface scattering in translucent materials. The paper also presents a method for measuring the optical properties of translucent materials using a rapid image-based technique. This method examines the radial reflectance profile resulting from a beam illuminating the sample material. By fitting an expression derived from diffusion theory, it is possible to estimate the absorption and scattering properties of the material. The paper concludes with results showing the effectiveness of the BSSRDF model in simulating subsurface scattering in materials such as marble, milk, and skin. The model is shown to produce realistic results and is significantly faster than traditional Monte Carlo methods. The model is also capable of capturing the subtle details in the appearance of materials, making them look more natural. The paper also discusses future work, including extending the model to multiple layers and including support for efficient global illumination.This paper introduces a practical model for subsurface light transport in translucent materials. The model enables efficient simulation of effects that BRDF models cannot capture, such as color bleeding within materials and diffusion of light across shadow boundaries. The technique is efficient even for anisotropic, highly scattering media that are expensive to simulate using existing methods. The model combines an exact solution for single scattering with a dipole point source diffusion approximation for multiple scattering. We also have designed a new, rapid image-based measurement technique for determining the optical properties of translucent materials. We validate the model by comparing predicted and measured values and show how the technique can be used to recover the optical properties of a variety of materials, including milk, marble, and skin. Finally, we describe sampling techniques that allow the model to be used within a conventional ray tracer. The paper discusses the theory behind subsurface scattering, including the BSSRDF (Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Function), which relates the outgoing radiance to the incident flux. The model uses a diffusion approximation for multiple scattering and a single scattering term for accurate simulation. The BSSRDF model is a combination of the diffusion approximation and the single scattering term, allowing for efficient simulation of subsurface scattering in translucent materials. The paper also presents a method for measuring the optical properties of translucent materials using a rapid image-based technique. This method examines the radial reflectance profile resulting from a beam illuminating the sample material. By fitting an expression derived from diffusion theory, it is possible to estimate the absorption and scattering properties of the material. The paper concludes with results showing the effectiveness of the BSSRDF model in simulating subsurface scattering in materials such as marble, milk, and skin. The model is shown to produce realistic results and is significantly faster than traditional Monte Carlo methods. The model is also capable of capturing the subtle details in the appearance of materials, making them look more natural. The paper also discusses future work, including extending the model to multiple layers and including support for efficient global illumination.