Unified surface model for image based and geometric scene composition

A computer system, comprising a computer and a computer program executed by the computer, wherein the computer program comprises computer instructions for:

• rendering a first image on a first surface;
• rendering a second image on a second surface;
• declaratively rendering a third image on a third surface;
• wherein the first image is used as a texture for the third scene, and the second image is blended with the texture to form the third scene and wherein the third surface is produced through a declarative markup language and wherein the first image is a protrusion having a three dimensional representation in a space and wherein the second image is a three dimensional representation of an object.

A method of composing a dynamic image using a computer, the method comprising:

• rendering a first image on a first surface;
• rendering a second image on a second surface;
• combining the first image and the second image to declaratively compose the dynamic image, wherein the dynamic image is produced through a declarative markup language and wherein the first image is a three dimensional representation of an object and the second surface is a protrusion having a three dimensional representation in a space;
• providing a first opacity value for the first image;
• providing a second opacity value for the second image;
• providing a third opacity value for the dynamic image;
• and
• animating the second opacity value when combining the first image with the second image thereby producing a matte effect.