Shot shading method and apparatus

A method for shading a plurality of objects in N number of images comprises:

• performing shading calculations for an object from the plurality of objects for the N number of images at one time;
• and
• wherein a first set of the shading calculations from the shading calculations for the object are performed M times in response to geometric data for the object;
• and
• wherein M<N.

A computer program product for shading objects in a plurality of images in a computer system including a processor comprises:

• code that directs the processor to perform a first set of shading operations for a first object M times for N number of images;
• code that directs the processor to perform a second set of shading operations for the first object N times for the N number of images;
• and
• code that directs the processor to combine results of the first set of shading operations for the first object and results of the second set of shading operations for the first object to determine shading values for the first object for the N number of images;
• wherein M<N;
• and
• wherein the codes reside on a tangible media.