Ray Tracing System Architectures and Methods

A 3-D graphics processing system configured to perform intersection testing as part of rendering a 3-D scene by ray tracing in a computer system, comprising:

• an input configured to receive shape data for a particular shape associated with a 3-D scene;
• and
• a plurality of testing resources configured to concurrently perform intersection testing for a collection of rays with the particular shape;
• wherein the collection of rays comprises first rays, for which intersection testing against the shape is required in order to render a first image of the 3-D scene from a first perspective, and second rays for which intersection testing against the shape is required in order to render a second image of the 3-D scene from a second perspective.

Apparatus for performing intersection testing as part of rendering a 3-D scene by ray tracing in a computer system, the apparatus comprising:

• an input configured to receive shape data for a particular shape associated with a 3-D scene;
• and
• a plurality of testing resources configured to concurrently perform intersection testing for a collection of rays with the particular shape;
• wherein the collection of rays comprises first rays, for which intersection testing against the shape is required in order to render a first image of the 3-D scene from a first perspective, and second rays for which intersection testing against the shape is required in order to render a second image of the 3-D scene from a second perspective.