System and method of generating interactive computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures

A method of interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising the steps of:

• (a) defining an orientation of a polygon relative to a plurality of three dimensional (3D) texture data sets, each of the 3D texture data sets being at a distinct level of detail;
• (b) determining a level of detail of a pixel associated with said polygon;
• (c) selecting a first 3D texture data set and a second 3D texture data set from said plurality of 3D texture data sets in accordance with said pixel level of detail such that said first 3D texture data set represents a magnification of said pixel, and said second 3D texture data set represents a minification of said pixel;
• (d) mapping said pixel to a first position within said first 3D texture data set and a second position within said second 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation;
• and
• (e) generating a display value for said pixel in accordance with said mapping of said pixel to said first and second positions.

An apparatus for interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising:

• a storage device for storing a three dimensional (3D) texture data set, said storage device comprising N memory banks each storing a predetermined portion of said 3D texture data set;
• polygon orientation defining means for defining an orientation of a polygon relative to said 3D texture data set;
• pixel mapping means for mapping a pixel associated with said polygon to an object-space position within said 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation;
• texel identifying means for identifying N texels of said 3D texture data set surrounding said object-space position;
• linear address generating means for generating linear addresses from object-space addresses associated with said identified texels;
• means for obtaining N values associated with said identified texels by accessing said storage device using said linear addresses, one of said values being obtained from each of said memory banks;
• and
• pixel value generating means for generating a value for said pixel as a function of said values associated with said identified texels.

A method of interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising the steps of:

• (a) storing a three dimensional (3D) texture data set in a storage device comprising N memory banks each storing a predetermined portion of said 3D texture data set;
• (b) defining an orientation of a polygon relative to said 3D texture data set;
• (c) mapping a pixel associated with said polygon to an object-space position within said 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation;
• (d) identifying N texels of said 3D texture data set surrounding said object-space position;
• (e) generating linear addresses from object-space addresses associated with said identified texels;
• (f) obtaining N values associated with said identified texels by accessing said storage device using said linear addresses, one of said values being obtained from each of said memory banks;
• and
• (g) generating a value for said pixel as a function of said values associated with said identified texels.

An apparatus for interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising:

• polygon orientation defining means for defining an orientation of a polygon relative to a three dimensional (3D) texture data set;
• pixel mapping means, coupled to said polygon orientation defining means, for mapping a pixel associated with said polygon to a position within said 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation;
• storage means for storing a plurality of entries, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said entries;
• texel identifying means for identifying N texels of said 3D texture data set surrounding said position, each of said texels being associated with a value representing an address to said storage means;
• means for interpolating among values associated with said identified texels to produce an interpolated address to said storage means;
• and
• means for extracting an image attribute from said storage means using said interpolated address to thereby produce a value for said pixel, said pixel value being set equal to said extracted image attribute.