System and method for implementing shadows using pre-computed textures
AssigneeSilicon Graphics, Inc.
InventorsRadomir Mech, Yair Kurzion
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides an improved system and method for rendering shadows in a computer graphics system. Textures representing the area of influence resulting from a combination of light sources and shadow casters are pre-computed. Scenes are then rendered using the pre-computed textures. A first step entails generating sets of directions and associated pre-computed textures for each light source and shadow caster pair in a simulation frame. Next, a first scene in the simulation is rendered. During this step one or more of the pre-computed textures are used to darken the area of influence or shadow portion of the scene.
Claims16
A method for rendering a scene having light sources and shadow casters in a computer graphics system, comprising the steps of:
- (a) generating at least one set of direction and texture data prior to rendering a scene, wherein each set corresponds to a respective pair of a light source and a shadow caster, wherein said direction data represents a plurality of directions between said light source and said shadow caster, and further wherein said texture data represents each area of influence created by said shadow caster as it is oriented about said light source at each direction of said plurality of directions;
- and
- (b) rendering said scene using said generated sets.
A system for rendering a scene in a computer graphics system, comprising:
- generating means for generating at least one set of direction and texture data prior to rendering a scene, wherein each set corresponds to a respective pair of a light source and a shadow caster, wherein said direction data represents a plurality of directions between said light source and said shadow caster, and further wherein said texture data represents each area of influence created by said shadow caster as it is oriented about said light source at each direction of said plurality of directions;
- and
- rendering means for rendering said scene using said generated sets.
A method for rendering a scene having a light source and a shadow caster in a computer graphics system, comprising the steps of:
- (a) prestoring a set of direction and texture data prior to rendering a scene, wherein said set corresponds to a pair of a light source and a shadow caster and wherein said texture data represents an area of influence created by said shadow caster as said shadow caster is oriented about said light source;
- and
- (b) rendering said scene using said prestored set.
A system for rendering a scene in a computer graphics system, comprising:
- generating means for generating a set of direction and texture data prior to rendering a scene, wherein said set corresponds to a pair of a light source and a shadow caster and wherein said texture data represents an area of influence created by said shadow caster as said shadow caster is oriented about said light source;
- a memory for storing said set;
- and
- rendering means for rendering said scene using said set.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.