1. A method of rendering a graphics image using a computer having a processor, memory and display, the method comprising: calculating, by the processor, data of radiance transfer for a plurality of points over a surface of a modeled object for a rest coordinate frame, where the radiance transfer data for low frequency lighting is represented as a function of at least a sum of one or more products of coefficients and circularly symmetric basis functions, where the circularly symmetric basis functions have plural separate lobe axes and wherein the circularly symmetric basis functions are zonal harmonics; based on the radiance transfer data, evaluating, by the processor, radiance transfer over at least a portion of the surface of the modeled object from a lighting environment for a view direction; and producing an image of the modeled object as lit according to the radiance transfer evaluation on the display.