Simulated illumination of planar shapes

A method for simulating three-dimensional illumination of a planar shape element defined by a closed curve, the method including the steps of:

• (a) providing a planar shape element having a colour Co;
• (b) defining a colour Cw which is lighter than Co;
• (c) defining a colour Cb which is darker than Co;
• (d) defining an opacity Oh;
• (e) defining an opacity Ol;
• (f) generating a diffuse highlight element based on a first curve portion of the closed curve, the colour and opacity of the diffuse highlight element graduating from Cw,Oh at a first edge portion thereof to Co, 0 at a generally opposite second edge portion thereof;
• (g) generating a diffuse shadow element based on a second curve portion of the closed curve generally opposite the first curve thereof, the colour and opacity of the diffuse shadow element graduating from Cb,Ol at a first edge portion thereof to Co,0 at a generally opposite second edge portion thereof;
• and
• (h) rendering the planar shape element, the diffuse highlight element and the diffuse shadow element for printing or display, such that the diffuse elements are layered on top of the planar shaped element, thereby to simulate three-dimensional illumination thereof;
• wherein steps (a) to (h) may be performed in any suitable order.

A method for simulating three-dimensional illumination of a planar shape element defined by a closed curve, the method including the steps of:

• (a) providing a planar shape element having a colour Co;
• (b) defining a colour Cw between Co and white;
• (c) defining an opacity Oh;
• (d) generating a diffuse highlight element based on a first curve portion of the closed curve, the colour and opacity of the diffuse highlight element graduating from Cw,Oh at a first edge portion thereof to Co, 0 at a generally opposite second edge portion thereof;
• (e) rendering the planar shape element and the diffuse highlight element for printing or display, such that the diffuse highlight element is layered on top of the planar shape element, thereby to simulate three-dimensional illumination thereof;
• wherein steps (a) to (e) may be performed in any suitable order.

A method for simulating three-dimensional illumination of a planar shape element defined by a closed curve, the method including the steps of:

• (a) providing a planar shape element having a colour Co;
• (b) defining a colour Cb between Co and black;
• (c) defining an opacity Ol;
• (d) generating a diffuse shadow element based on a first curve portion of the closed curve, the colour and opacity of the diffuse shadow element graduating from Cb,Ol at a first edge portion thereof to Co,0 at a generally opposite second edge portion thereof;
• and
• (e) rendering the planar shape element and the diffuse shadow element for printing or display, such that the diffuse element is layered on top of the planar shape element, thereby to simulate three-dimensional illumination thereof;
• wherein steps (a) to (e) may be performed in any suitable order.

A method for simulating three-dimensional illumination of a planar shape element defined by a closed curve, the method including the steps of:

• (a) providing a planar shape element having a colour Co;
• (b) defining a colour Cw which is lighter than Co;
• (c) defining an opacity Oh;
• (d) generating a diffuse highlight element based on a first curve portion of the closed curve, the colour and opacity of the diffuse highlight element graduating from Cw,Oh at a first edge portion thereof to Co, 0 at a generally opposite second edge portion thereof;
• and
• (e) rendering the planar shape element and the diffuse highlight element for printing or display, such that the diffuse element is layered on top of the planar shape element, thereby to simulate three-dimensional illumination thereof;
• wherein steps (a) to (e) may be performed in any suitable order.

A method for simulating three-dimensional illumination of a planar shape element defined by a closed curve, the method including the steps of:

• (a) providing a planar shape element having a colour Co;
• (b) defining a colour Cb which is darker than Co;
• (c) defining an opacity Ol;
• (d) generating a diffuse shadow element based on a first curve portion of the closed curve, the colour and opacity of the diffuse shadow element graduating from Cb,Ol at a first edge portion thereof to Co,0 at a generally opposite second edge portion thereof;
• and
• (e) rendering the planar shape element and the diffuse shadow element for printing or display, such that the diffuse element is layered on top of the planar shape element, thereby to simulate three-dimensional illumination thereof;
• wherein steps (a) to (e) may be performed in any suitable order.

Apparatus for providing simulated three-dimensional illumination of a planar shape element defined by a closed curve, the apparatus including:

• (a) means for defining:
• (aa) a colour Co of the planar shape element;
• (ab) a colour Cw between Co and white;
• (ac) a colour Cb between Co and black;
• and
• (ad) an opacity Oh and an opacity Ol;
• (b) diffuse element generation means for generating a diffuse highlight element and a diffuse shadow element, wherein:
• (ba) the diffuse highlight element is based on a first curve portion of the closed curve, the colour and opacity of the diffuse highlight element graduating from Cw,Ol at a first edge portion thereof to Co,0 at a generally opposite second portion thereof;
• and
• (bb) the diffuse shadow element is based on a second curve portion of the closed curve generally opposite the first curve portion thereof, the colour and opacity of the diffuse shadow element graduating from Cb,Ol at a first edge portion thereof to Co,0 at a generally opposite second portion thereof;
• (c) rendering means for rendering the planar shape element, the diffuse highlight element and the diffuse shadow element for printing, storage or display, such that the diffuse elements are layered on top of the planar shape element, thereby to simulate three-dimensional illumination thereof.

A computer storage medium bearing one or more computer software programs for execution on a computer, the computer software program or programs including compiled or uncompiled software instructions for implementing a method of simulating three-dimensional illumination of a planar shape element defined by a closed curve, including instructions for implementing the following steps:

• (a) providing a planar shape element having a colour Co;
• (b) defining a colour Cw between Co and white;
• (c) defining a colour Cb between Co and black;
• (d) defining an opacity Oh;
• (e) defining an opacity Ol;
• (f) generating a diffuse highlight element based on a first curve portion of the closed curve, the colour and opacity of the diffuse highlight element graduating from Cw,Oh at a first edge portion thereof to Co,0 at a generally opposite second edge portion thereof;
• (g) generating a diffuse shadow element based on a second curve portion of the closed curve generally opposite the first curve portion thereof, the colour and opacity of the diffuse shadow element graduating from Cb,Ol at a first edge portion thereof to Co,0 at a generally opposite second edge portion thereof;
• and
• (h) rendering the planar shape element, the diffuse highlight element and the diffuse shadow element for printing or display, such that the diffuse elements are layered on top of the planar shape element, thereby to simulate three-dimensional illumination thereof;
• wherein the instructions can be performed in any suitable order.