Method and apparatus for rendering a quadrangle primitive

A method for generating a computer graphics image, said method comprising the steps of

• a) receiving vertex data comprising coordinates described in a computer graphics image;
• b) assembling said vertices into a first primitive having a first geometric shape;
• c) assembling one or more vertices adjacent to said first primitive into a second primitive having said first geometric shape, said second primitive sharing one or more vertices with said first primitive;
• d) identifying a respective surface of each of said first primitive and said second primitive to be displayed in said computer graphics image;
• and
• e) if the respective surfaces are the same, combining said first primitive and said second primitive to form a third primitive having a second geometric shape.

A computer system comprising:

• a bus;
• a processor coupled to said bus;
• a computer readable memory unit coupled to said bus;
• said processor performing a method for generating a computer graphics image, said method comprising the steps of
• a) receiving vertex data comprising coordinates described in a computer graphics image;
• b) assembling said vertices into a first primitive having a first geometric shape;
• c) assembling one or more vertices adjacent to said first primitive into a second primitive having said first geometric shape, said second primitive sharing one or more vertices with said first primitive;
• d) identifying a respective surface of each of said first primitive and said second primitive to be displayed in said computer graphics image;
• e) if the respective surfaces are the same, combining said first primitive and said second primitive to form a third primitive having a second geometric shape;
• and
• f) forwarding said third primitive to a rasterization process for generating said computer graphics image when said first primitive and said second primitive are combines, and otherwise forwarding said first primitive to said rasterization process.