Single semiconductor graphics platform system and method with skinning, swizzling and masking capabilities

A method for skinning during hardware graphics processing, comprising:

• transforming graphics data;
• lighting the graphics data;
• and
• rendering the graphics data;
• wherein the transforming, the lighting, the rendering, and a skinning operation are performed on a single semiconductor platform.

A method for swizzling during hardware graphics processing, comprising:

• transforming graphics data;
• lighting the graphics data;
• and
• rendering the graphics data;
• wherein the transforming, the lighting, the rendering, and a swizzling operation are performed on a single semiconductor platform.

A method for masking during hardware graphics processing, comprising:

• transforming graphics data;
• lighting the graphics data;
• and
• rendering the graphics data;
• wherein the transforming, the lighting, the rendering, and a masking operation are performed on a single semiconductor platform.

A single semiconductor platform hardware graphics system, comprising:

• a transform module positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming graphics data;
• a lighting module positioned on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module for lighting the graphics data;
• a set-up module positioned on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module and the lighting module for setting up the graphics data;
• and
• a render module positioned on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module, the lighting module, and the set-up module for rendering the graphics data;
• wherein the single semiconductor platform is further capable of skinning, swizzling, and masking the graphics data.