Method for optimized polygon reduction of computer graphics

An image processing apparatus for optimizing polygon reductions of a three-dimensional graphics object, comprising:

• means for performing a first polygon reduction process, resulting in a first three-dimensional graphics image being a polygon reduced representation of the initial three-dimensional graphics image;
• means for comparing the first three-dimensional graphics image with the initial three-dimensional graphics image;
• means for determining a visual error metric based on the result of the comparison between the first three-dimensional graphics image and the initial three-dimensional graphics image;
• and
• means for performing a second polygon reduction process, resulting in a second three-dimensional graphics image being a polygon reduced representation of the initial three-dimensional graphics object, if the visual error metric is outside of a predetermined error range

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer program means for controlling an image processing apparatus configured for optimizing polygon reductions of a three-dimensional graphics object, wherein the computer program product comprises:

• code for performing a first polygon reduction process, resulting in a first three-dimensional graphics image being a polygon reduced representation of the initial three-dimensional graphics image;
• code for comparing the first three-dimensional graphics image with the initial three-dimensional graphics image;
• code for determining a visual error metric based on the result of the comparison between the first three-dimensional graphics image and the initial three-dimensional graphics image;
• and
• code for performing a second polygon reduction process, resulting in a second three-dimensional graphics image being a polygon reduced representation of the initial three-dimensional graphics object, if the visual error metric is outside of a predetermined error range.