Apparatus and method for generating texture maps for use in 3D computer graphics
AssigneeCanon Europa N.V.
InventorsQi He Hong, Adam Michael Baumberg, Alexander Ralph Lyons
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is disclosed an apparatus and method for combining three or more texture maps 200-208 together to generate a single, combined texture map 220. The texture maps are repeatedly combined together in pairs, with each pair generating a larger texture map for subsequent combination with another texture map, until only one texture map remains containing all of the original texture maps.
Claims21
A method, performed in a processing apparatus, of processing data defining at least three two-dimensional rectangular texture maps to generate data defining a single two-dimensional rectangular texture map containing all of the starting texture maps, the method comprising:
- combining two of the texture maps by arranging them adjacent each other with an edge of one texture map parallel to an edge of the other texture map, and defining a rectangle containing the two texture maps, thereby generating a new texture map for subsequent combination;
- and
- repeating the combining processing to combine texture maps in pairs, to generate a single two-dimensional rectangle containing the starting texture maps.
Apparatus for processing data defining at least three two-dimensional rectangular texture maps to generate data defining a single two-dimensional rectangular texture map containing all of the starting texture maps, the apparatus comprising:
- a texture map combiner operable to combine two of the texture maps by arranging them adjacent each other with an edge of one texture map parallel to an edge of the other texture map and to define a rectangle containing the two texture maps, thereby generating a new texture map for subsequent combination;
- and
- a controller operable to control the texture map combiner to repeat the combining processing to combine texture maps in pairs, to generate a single two-dimensional rectangle containing the starting texture maps.
Apparatus for processing data defining at least three two-dimensional rectangular texture maps to generate data defining a single two-dimensional rectangular texture map containing all of the starting texture maps, the apparatus comprising:
- combining means for combining two of the texture maps by arranging them adjacent each other with an edge of one texture map parallel to an edge of the other texture map and for defining a rectangle containing the two texture maps, thereby generating a new texture map for subsequent combination;
- and
- means for controlling the combining means to repeat the combining processing to combine texture maps in pairs, to generate a single two-dimensional rectangle containing the starting texture maps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.