JP4771903B2 - Image generation system, program, and information storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation system, a program, and an information storage medium.

  Conventionally, an image generation system (game system) that generates an image that can be viewed from a virtual camera (a given viewpoint) in an object space (virtual three-dimensional space) in which an object such as a character is set is known. It is popular as a place to experience so-called virtual reality.

In such an image generation system, one that performs multi-pass rendering processing for drawing a new image based on the drawn image (original image) is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3262772

  However, in the above image generation system, since the original image rendering process, the original image reading process, and the new image rendering process are all performed via the internal bus connecting the drawing processor and the video memory, the bandwidth of the internal bus There is a problem that the processing capability of the multipass rendering process cannot be improved because the width becomes a bottleneck.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate the bottleneck caused by the bandwidth of the internal bus and improve the processing capability of the multipass rendering process. An object is to provide an image generation system, a program, and an information storage medium.

  (1) According to the present invention, an image is generated in a computer in which a drawing processor is accessible to a video memory via a first internal bus, and the drawing processor is accessible to a main memory via a second internal bus. A rendering target setting unit that sets whether to render an image in the main memory or the video memory, and the image according to the content set by the rendering target setting unit. Rendering in one memory of the main memory or the video memory, and causing the computer to function as a drawing unit that performs multi-pass rendering processing for rendering a new image in the other memory based on the image stored in the one memory It is characterized by.

  The present invention also relates to an image generation system including the above-described units. The present invention is also a computer-readable information storage medium, and relates to an information storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above-described units.

  In the present invention, rendering a new image based on an image means rendering a new image different from the original image using the rendered image (original image), and using the original image as a texture. When a new image is rendered, the original image is subjected to effect processing and a new image is rendered.

  According to the present invention, in the hardware formed so that the drawing processor can access the video memory via the first internal bus and the drawing processor can access the main memory via the second internal bus. By alternately switching the rendering target between the video memory and the main memory, the internal bus used in the multipass rendering process can be distributed, and the bottleneck caused by the bandwidth of the internal bus is eliminated, and the multipass rendering process is performed. The processing capacity can be improved.

  (2) In the program and information storage medium according to the present invention, the drawing unit reads an image stored in one memory of the main memory or the video memory as a texture and renders a new image in the other memory. It is characterized by doing.

  (3) In the program and information storage medium according to the present invention, the computer is formed to output an image stored in a video memory to a display unit, and the rendering target setting unit is an image output to the display unit. The image rendering target is set so that the rendering target becomes a video memory.

  In the present invention, the image output to the display unit refers to an image (completed image) rendered in the final rendering pass in the multipass rendering process.

  According to the present invention, an image output to the display unit can be rendered in a video memory. As a result, the image can be output to the display unit without performing the image copy process to the video memory required when the image output to the display unit is rendered in the main memory, and the multipass rendering process can be performed. The processing capacity can be improved.

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. In addition, this embodiment demonstrated below does not unduly limit the content of this invention described in the claim. In addition, all the configurations described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

1. Hardware Configuration An example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main processor 10 operates based on a program stored on an optical disc (an information storage medium such as a CD, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc), a program transferred via the communication interface 80, a program stored on the hard disk 60, or the like. Various processes such as game processing, image processing, and sound processing are executed using the main memory 40 accessible via the internal bus b4 as a work area (work area).

  The main processor 10 includes a single processor 12 and a plurality of vector processors 14. The processor 12 executes various processes such as OS execution, hardware resource management, game processing, and operation management of the vector processor 14. The vector processor 14 is a processor specialized for vector operations, and mainly executes processing such as geometry processing and codec processing of image data and sound data.

  The drawing processor 20 is configured to be accessible to the video memory 30 via the internal bus b1 (first internal bus). The drawing processor 20 also includes an internal bus b2 (second internal bus) that connects the drawing processor 20 and the main processor 10, a bus b3 inside the main processor 10, and an internal bus b4 that connects the main processor 10 and the main memory 40. The main memory 40 is configured to be accessible via the. That is, the drawing processor 20 can use the video memory 30 and the main memory 40 as rendering targets.

  The drawing processor 20 performs geometric processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, light source calculation, and curved surface generation, has a product-sum calculator and a divider capable of high-speed parallel computation, and performs matrix computation (vector computation). Run fast. For example, when processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, and light source calculation is performed, a program operating on the main processor 10 instructs the drawing processor 20 to perform the processing.

  The drawing processor 20 executes a rendering process of an image of an object after geometry processing (an object composed of a primitive surface such as a polygon or a curved surface) at high speed. In the multi-pass rendering process, the drawing processor 20 performs the hidden surface removal using the Z buffer 34 or the like based on the drawing data (vertex data and other parameters) and the like, and displays the image in the video memory 30 or the main memory. Render to one of 40 memories. Then, a process of rendering a new image in the other memory based on the image stored in the one memory is performed as many times as necessary rendering passes. The drawing processor 20 can perform filter processing such as glare filter processing, motion blur processing, depth of field processing, and fog processing as the multi-pass rendering processing.

  When the image is rendered in the frame buffer 32 provided in the video memory 30 in the final rendering pass, the image is output to the display 50. When an image is rendered in the main memory 40 in the final rendering pass, the image is copied (written) to the frame buffer 32 and output to the display 50.

  The hard disk 60 stores system programs, save data, personal data, and the like.

  The optical drive 70 drives an optical disc 72 (information storage medium) in which programs, image data, sound data, and the like are stored, and enables access to these programs and data.

  The communication interface 80 is an interface for transferring data to and from the outside via a network. In this case, as a network connected to the communication interface 170, a communication line (analog telephone line, ISDN), a high-speed serial bus, or the like can be considered. By using a communication line, data transfer via the Internet becomes possible. Further, by using the high-speed serial bus, data transfer with other image generation systems becomes possible.

2. Configuration FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the image generation system of the present embodiment. In this figure, the present embodiment only needs to include at least the processing unit 100 (or include the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 170), and the other units (functional blocks) may be optional components. it can.

  The operation unit 160 is for the player to input operation data, and the function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, button, steering, shift lever, accelerator pedal, brake pedal, microphone, sensor, or housing. .

  The storage unit 170 serves as a work area such as the processing unit 100 or the communication unit 196, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a RAM.

  An information storage medium 180 (a computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, and the like, and functions as an optical disk (CD, DVD, Blu-ray disk), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, and hard disk. It can be realized by hardware such as a magnetic tape or a memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of this embodiment based on a program (data) stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 stores (records and stores) a program for causing the computer to function as each unit (each unit) of the present embodiment (a program for causing the computer to implement each unit).

  The display unit 190 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment, and the function thereof can be realized by hardware such as a CRT, LCD, or HMD (head mounted display). In particular, the display unit 190 of the present embodiment is an interlace display device (for example, an NTSC monitor), and scans an odd line and an even line alternately every 1/60 seconds (one field), for example. Is displayed.

  The sound output unit 192 outputs the sound generated by the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a speaker or headphones.

  The portable information storage device 194 stores player personal data, game save data, and the like. As the portable information storage device 194, a memory card, a portable game device, and the like can be considered.

  The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (for example, a host device or other image generation system), and functions thereof are hardware such as various processors or a communication ASIC, It can be realized by a program.

  Note that a program (data) for causing a computer to function as each unit of this embodiment is distributed from the information storage medium of the host device (server) to the information storage medium 180 (storage unit 170) via the network and the communication unit 196. You may do it. Use of such an information storage medium of the host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The processing unit 100 (processor) performs various processes such as a game process, an image generation process, and a sound generation process based on operation data from the operation unit 160, a program, and the like. In this case, the processing unit 100 performs various processes using the main memory 40 in the storage unit 170 as a work area. The function of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (main processor, drawing processor, DSP, etc.) or ASIC (gate array, etc.), and a program (game program).

The processing unit 100 includes a movement / motion processing unit 110, an object space setting unit 112, a virtual camera control unit 114, a rendering target setting unit 116, a drawing unit 120, and a sound generation unit 130. Note that the processing unit 100 does not need to include all these units (functional blocks), and some of them may be omitted.

  The movement / motion processing unit 110 performs processing for obtaining movement information (position, rotation angle) and motion information (position, rotation angle of each part of the object) of the object (moving body). That is, based on operation data input by the player through the operation unit 160, a game program, or the like, processing for moving an object or moving (motion, animation) is performed.

  The object space setting unit 112 includes various objects (polygons, free-form surfaces, subdivision surfaces, etc.) such as moving objects (characters, cars, tanks, robots), columns, walls, buildings, maps (terrain), and the like. A process for arranging and setting (object) in the object space is performed. More specifically, the position and rotation angle (direction) of the object in the world coordinate system are determined, and the rotation angle (rotation around the X, Y, and Z axes) is determined at that position (X, Y, Z). Arrange objects.

  The virtual camera control unit 114 performs processing for controlling a virtual camera set in the object space. That is, virtual camera information such as the position (X, Y, Z) or rotation (rotation around the X, Y, Z axes) of the virtual camera is obtained, and the virtual camera is controlled (controls the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction). .

  For example, when a moving object is photographed from behind with a virtual camera, the position or rotation (direction of the virtual camera) of the virtual camera may be controlled so that the virtual camera follows changes in the position or rotation of the moving object. desirable. In this case, the virtual camera is controlled based on information such as the position, direction, or speed of the moving object obtained by the movement / motion processing unit 110. Alternatively, the virtual camera may be rotated at a predetermined angle while being moved along a predetermined movement route. In this case, camera path information for specifying the position (movement path) and rotation angle of the virtual camera is prepared in advance, and the virtual camera is controlled based on the camera path information.

  The drawing unit 120 (drawing processor 20) performs drawing processing based on the results of various processing (game processing) performed by the processing unit 100, thereby generating an image and outputting the image to the display unit 190. In the case of generating a so-called three-dimensional game image, first, geometric processing such as coordinate transformation (world coordinate transformation, camera coordinate transformation), clipping processing, or perspective transformation is performed, and drawing data ( The position coordinates, texture coordinates, color data, normal vector, α value, etc.) of the vertexes of the primitive surface are created. Based on this drawing data (primitive surface data), an image of the object (one or a plurality of primitive surfaces) after perspective transformation (after geometry processing) is rendered in a drawing buffer 172 (frame buffer or work buffer) provided in the video memory 30. Rendering (rendering) is performed in a rendering buffer 178 provided in the main memory 40 or a buffer that can store image information in units of pixels (such as an intermediate buffer). Thereby, an image that can be seen from the virtual camera (given viewpoint) in the object space is generated. Note that the drawing process in the drawing unit 120 may be realized by a so-called pixel shader or vertex shader.

  The drawing unit 120 can perform texture mapping processing and hidden surface removal processing.

  Here, the texture mapping process is a process of mapping a texture (texel value) stored in the texture storage unit 177 to an object. Specifically, the texture (surface properties such as color and α value) is read from the texture storage unit 176 using the texture coordinates set (given) at the vertices of the object (primitive surface). Then, a texture that is a two-dimensional image or pattern is mapped to the object. In this case, processing for associating pixels and texels, bilinear interpolation (texel interpolation), and the like are performed.

  The hidden surface removal process is realized, for example, by a Z buffer method (depth comparison method, Z test) using a Z buffer 34 (depth buffer) in which the Z value (depth information) of each pixel is stored. That is, when each pixel on the primitive surface of the object is drawn, the Z value (Z value in the camera coordinate system) stored in the Z buffer 34 is referred to. Then, the Z value of the referenced Z buffer 174 is compared with the Z value at the drawing target pixel of the primitive surface, and the Z value at the drawing target pixel is the front side when viewed from the virtual camera (for example, a large value) Z value), the drawing process for the pixel is performed and the Z value in the Z buffer 34 is updated to a new Z value.

  Reference to the Z value in the Z buffer 34 is performed by filter processing such as depth-of-field processing and fog processing in addition to hidden surface erasure / erasure processing. In the depth-of-field process, a range in which a blurred image is synthesized is determined based on the Z value of an image (original image) to be filtered, and in the fog process, a fog color is synthesized based on the Z value of the original image To decide. Since the Z buffer 34 is provided in the video memory 30, the value of the Z buffer 34 is referred to and the bandwidth of the internal bus b1 shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the rendering target setting unit 116 renders an image in either the drawing buffer 172 provided in the video memory 30 or the drawing buffer 178 provided in the main memory 40, that is, sets an image rendering target. To do.

  The rendering target setting unit 116 sets the rendering target so that the rendering target of the image output to the display unit 190 (the completed image rendered in the last rendering pass) is the drawing buffer 172 provided in the video memory 30. May be. In this case, for example, when the number N of rendering passes in the multi-pass rendering process is an odd number, the rendering target in the first rendering pass is set in the drawing buffer 172, and when N is an even number, the rendering target in the first rendering pass is set. The drawing buffer 178 may be set, and the drawing buffer 172 and the drawing buffer 178 may be alternately set as rendering targets in the subsequent rendering passes.

  Note that it is not necessary to alternately set the rendering target between the drawing buffer 172 and the drawing buffer 178 in all rendering passes of the multipass rendering process, and the same rendering target may be set continuously in some rendering passes. Good.

  The rendering target setting unit 116 may set an image rendering target based on a program stored in the information storage medium 180. In this case, it is necessary to designate a rendering target in each rendering pass in advance on the program. Alternatively, an image rendering target may be set dynamically based on information such as a drawing processor usage rate or an internal bus bandwidth usage rate.

  The drawing unit 120 displays an image in the drawing buffer 172 provided in the video memory 30 or the drawing buffer 178 provided in the main memory 40 according to the contents set by the rendering target setting unit 116 (information stored in the storage unit 170). A multi-pass rendering process is performed to render a new image in the other buffer based on the image stored in the one buffer.

  The drawing unit 120 may read an image stored in the one buffer as a texture and render a new image in the other buffer.

  The sound generation unit 130 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, generates game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, or sounds, and outputs the game sounds to the sound output unit 192.

  Note that the image generation system of the present embodiment may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, or may be a system having a multiplayer mode in which a plurality of players can play. Further, when a plurality of players play, game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or connected via a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Alternatively, it may be generated by distributed processing using a plurality of terminals (game machine, mobile phone).

3. Next, the method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the case where the method of the present embodiment is adopted with respect to the filter processing for expressing glare and the motion blur processing will be mainly described. However, the method of the present embodiment is not limited to such filter processing. The present invention can be applied to various filter processes that perform path rendering processing.

3.1 Glare Filter Method FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a case where the method of the present embodiment is adopted for glare filter processing. Here, the frame buffer and the work buffer WB2 are provided in the video memory 30, and the work buffer WB1 and the work buffer WB3 are provided in the main memory 40.

  First, a rendering target is set in the frame buffer, and an image (original image) of an object existing in a scene (in a view volume) that can be seen from a virtual camera arranged in the object space is drawn in the frame buffer.

  When the glare filter is applied to the original image drawn in the frame buffer, the rendering target is set in the work buffer WB1 as shown in A1 of FIG. 3, and the original image is smaller in size than the frame buffer. Reduced copy to buffer WB1. Then, color extraction processing is performed on the image reduced and copied to the work buffer WB1 to draw a color extraction image.

  Here, as the color extraction process, a process is performed in which a color brighter than the reference color is extracted from each pixel of the work image and the color information of the difference is obtained. For example, a single-color virtual polygon (single-color polygon) in which the reference color C1 is set to the vertex color is prepared, and this single-color polygon is drawn in the work buffer WB1 with subtraction and translucency. As a result, if the color of an arbitrary pixel P of the image reduced and copied to the work buffer WB1 is C2, the color of the pixel P of the color extraction image drawn in the work buffer 1 after drawing the monochromatic polygon with subtraction semi-transparency is , C2-C1. That is, in the color extraction image, a color darker than the reference color is clamped to black, and a lighter color than the reference color is a difference color. Thus, by obtaining only colors brighter than a certain reference color, it is possible to specify an area where glare is likely to occur.

  Next, as shown in A2 of FIG. 3, the rendering target is set in the work buffer WB2, and an image obtained by shifting the color extraction image drawn in the work buffer WB1 horizontally (X direction) is drawn in the work buffer WB2. By doing so, the color information of the pixels in the horizontal direction is interpolated by the bilinear filter method, and the image becomes blurred in the horizontal direction.

  Further, as shown at A3 in FIG. 3, the rendering target is set in the work buffer WB3, and an image obtained by shifting the work image drawn in the work buffer WB2 vertically (Y direction) is drawn in the work buffer WB3. By doing so, the color information of the pixels in the vertical direction is interpolated by the bilinear filter method, and the image becomes blurred in the vertical direction.

  Then, as shown in A4 of FIG. 3, the rendering target is set in the frame buffer, the filter image that has been subjected to the blurring process and drawn in the work buffer WB3 is added and combined with the original image in the frame buffer, and the glare processing is performed on the original image. A completed image is generated as shown in FIG.

  In the glare filter method according to the present embodiment, the image drawing destination (rendering target) between the buffer provided in the video memory 30 and the buffer provided in the main memory 40 in the multi-pass rendering process shown in A1 to A4 of FIG. By alternately switching, the image reading destination and writing destination (drawing destination) in each processing of A1 to A4 in FIG. 3 can be distributed to the video memory 30 and the main memory 40. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the rendering processor 20 (rendering unit 120) that performs rendering processing accesses the video memory 30 through the internal bus b1, and accesses the main memory 40 through the internal buses b2 to b4. Therefore, internal buses used in the processes A1 to A4 in FIG. 3 can be distributed.

  In FIG. 3, the case where the filter image (blurred image) that has been subjected to the vertical blurring process is added and synthesized to the original image as it is has been described. The filter image drawn in WB4) may be combined with the blurred image in the work buffer WB3 to generate a filter image, and the generated filter image may be added and combined with the original image in the frame buffer. In this case, in the processing of the next frame, a vertically blurred image is drawn in the work buffer WB4, and the filter image of the work buffer WB3 is combined with the blurred image of the work buffer WB4 to generate a filter image. As described above, by generating a filter image for glare expression using the filter image generated in the process one frame before, it is possible to express the blur of light following the movement of the virtual camera.

  Further, FIG. 3 illustrates the case where the monochrome polygon is drawn in the work buffer WB1 with semi-transparent drawing as the color extraction processing. However, when the color extraction processing is executed by the pixel shader, the original image drawn in the frame buffer is used. Is reduced and copied to the work buffer WB1, and the result of executing the processing (C0-C1) for subtracting the reference color C1 prepared as the parameter color from the color C0 of the original image acquired by the pixel shader for each pixel. You may make it draw in buffer WB1. Similarly, when the filter image and the original image are combined by the pixel shader, the original image drawn in the frame buffer and the filter image drawn in the work buffer WB3 are both read as textures into the pixel shader. Then, the result of executing the process (C0 + C3) of adding the color C0 of the original image and the color C3 of the filter image acquired by the pixel shader for each pixel may be drawn in the frame buffer.

  Further, although the case where the rendering target of the original image is set in the frame buffer on the video memory 30 has been described with reference to FIG. 3, it may be set in the buffer on the main memory 40. In this case, since the completed image is drawn in the buffer on the main memory 130, processing for copying the completed image to the frame buffer is performed.

3.2 Motion Blur Method FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a case where the method of the present embodiment is adopted for motion blur processing. Here, the frame buffer is provided in the video memory 30, and the work buffer is provided in the main memory 40.

  First, the rendering target is set in the frame buffer, and an image of the object (original image (t + dt)) existing in the scene (in the view volume) advanced by time dt from time t one frame before is drawn in the frame buffer. Here, the time dt is a time obtained by dividing the time between one frame by the number n of rendering of the original image.

  Next, the rendering target is set in the work buffer, and the original image (t + 2dt) advanced by time 2dt from time t one frame before is drawn in the work buffer.

  Then, as shown in B1 of FIG. 4, the rendering target is set to the frame buffer, and the original image (t + 2dt) drawn in the work buffer is combined with the original image (t + dt) of the frame buffer at a ratio of 50% to 50%. To generate a work image.

  Next, the rendering target is set in the work buffer, and the original image (t + 3dt) advanced by time 3dt from time t one frame before is drawn in the work buffer.

  Then, as shown in B2 of FIG. 4, the rendering target is set in the frame buffer, and the original image (t + 3dt) drawn in the work buffer is combined with the work image in the frame buffer at a ratio of approximately 33% to 66%. A new work image is generated.

  In this way, the process of drawing and compositing the original image by repeating the time dt from the time t one frame before is repeated. Finally, as the n-th drawing process, the rendering target is set in the work buffer, and the original image (t + ndt) advanced by time ndt from time t one frame before is drawn in the work buffer. As shown, the rendering target is set to the frame buffer, and the original image (t + ndt) drawn in the work buffer is set to the work image in the frame buffer at a ratio of (100 / n)% to (100-100 / n)%. Combined to generate a finished image that has undergone motion blur processing.

  In the motion blur method of the present embodiment, an image drawing destination (rendering target) is alternately displayed between the frame buffer provided in the video memory 30 and the work buffer provided in the main memory 40 in the multipass rendering process shown in FIG. By switching, it is possible to disperse the image reading destination and writing (drawing) destination in the video memory 120 and the main memory 130 in each of the processes B1 to B3 in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the rendering processor 20 (rendering unit 120) that performs rendering processing accesses the video memory 30 through the internal bus b1, and accesses the main memory 40 through the internal buses b2 to b4. Therefore, internal buses used in the processes B1 to B3 in FIG. 4 can be distributed.

  In each process of drawing the original image in the main memory, the Z value of the Z buffer 34 is updated via the internal bus b1 by the hidden surface removal process accompanying the drawing of the original image, and the drawing of the original image itself is not performed internally. Since the processing is performed via the buses b2 to b4, it is possible to distribute the internal buses used in each process of drawing the original image in the main memory.

4). Processing of this embodiment Next, a detailed processing example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, the glare filter process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, a rendering target is set in the frame buffer on the video memory 30, and a scene viewed from the virtual camera is drawn in the frame buffer to generate an original image (step S10).

  Next, the rendering target is set in the work buffer WB1 on the main memory 40, and the original image of the frame buffer is reduced and copied to the work buffer WB1 having a size half that of the frame buffer (step S12).

  Then, the monochrome polygon image is subtracted and synthesized in the work buffer WB1 (step S14). That is, a component having a low color intensity is dropped by the color extraction processing described with reference to FIG.

  When color extraction processing is executed by the pixel shader, the result obtained by subtracting the reference color from the color of each pixel of the original image read from the frame buffer is drawn in the work buffer WB1, and the color extracted image is reduced and copied. You may make it do.

  Next, a rendering target is set in the work buffer WB2 on the video memory 30, and an image obtained by shifting the image of the work buffer WB1 horizontally is drawn in the work buffer WB2, and the image is blurred in the horizontal direction (X direction). Is performed (step S16). Furthermore, the rendering target is set in the work buffer WB3 on the main memory 40, an image obtained by shifting the image in the work buffer WB2 vertically is drawn in the work buffer WB3, and the image is blurred in the vertical direction (Y direction) ( Step S18).

  Next, the rendering target is set to the frame buffer, the image of the work buffer WB3 is enlarged to the size of the frame buffer, and the enlarged image is multiplied and combined with the frame buffer by adding an appropriate coefficient (step S20).

  Next, motion blur processing will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Here, for convenience, a case will be described in which the time between one frame is divided into three and the original image is drawn three times.

  First, the rendering target is set in the frame buffer on the video memory 30, and the original image advanced by the time dt from the time t one frame before is drawn in the frame buffer (step S30). Here, the time dt is a time obtained by dividing the time between one frame by the number of times of drawing 3.

  Next, the rendering target is set in the work buffer on the main memory 40, and the original image advanced by time 2dt from time t one frame before is drawn in the work buffer (step S32). Then, the rendering target is set in the frame buffer, and the original image drawn in the work buffer is combined with the original image in the frame buffer at a ratio of 50% to 50% (step S34).

  Next, the rendering target is set in the work buffer, and the original image advanced by time 3 dt from time t one frame before is drawn in the work buffer (step S36). The rendering target is set in the frame buffer, and the original image drawn in the work buffer is combined with the image in the frame buffer at a ratio of approximately 33% to 66% (step S38).

  When drawing the original image three times or more, the processes in steps S36 and S38 are repeated for the number of times of drawing. In this case, the composition ratio of the original image and the composition image is 100 / n% vs. 100-100 / n% where n is the number of drawing.

  Note that all the units (units) of the present embodiment may be realized only by hardware, or only by a program stored in an information storage medium or a program distributed via a communication interface. May be. Alternatively, it may be realized by both hardware and a program.

  And when each part of this embodiment is implement | achieved by both hardware and a program, the program for functioning hardware (computer) as each part of this embodiment is stored in an information storage medium. Become. More specifically, the program instructs each processor 10, 20, etc., which is hardware, and passes data if necessary. Each of the processors 10 and 20 implements each unit of the present invention based on the instruction and the passed data.

  The present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, terms cited as broad or synonymous terms in the description in the specification or drawings can be replaced with broad or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings. Further, the glare filter technique, the motion blur technique, and the like are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and techniques equivalent to these techniques are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can also be applied to various games (such as fighting games, shooting games, robot fighting games, sports games, competitive games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.). Further, the present invention is applied to various image generation systems such as a business game system, a home game system, a large attraction system in which a large number of players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, a system board for generating a game image, and a mobile phone. it can.

2 is a hardware configuration example of an image generation system according to the present embodiment. The functional block diagram of the image generation system of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the method of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the method of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the specific process example of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the specific process example of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 main processor 20 drawing processor 30 video memory 32 frame buffer 34 Z buffer 40 main memory 100 processing unit 110 movement / motion processing unit 112 object space setting unit 114 virtual camera control unit 116 rendering target setting unit 120 drawing unit 130 sound generation unit 160 Operation unit 170 Storage unit 172 Drawing buffer 176 Texture storage unit 178 Drawing buffer 180 Information storage medium 190 Display unit 192 Sound output unit 194 Portable information storage device 196 Communication unit

Claims (5)

A program for generating an image in a computer configured such that the drawing processor can access the video memory via the first internal bus and the drawing processor can access the main memory via the second internal bus. There,
A rendering target setting unit for setting whether to render an image in the main memory or the video memory;
In accordance with the content set by the rendering target setting unit, the image is rendered in one of the main memory and the video memory, and a new image is rendered in the other memory based on the image stored in the one memory. A program that causes the computer to function as a drawing unit that performs multi-pass rendering processing. In claim 1,
The drawing unit
A program that reads an image stored in one of the main memory and the video memory as a texture and renders a new image in the other memory. In claim 1 or 2,
The computer is configured to output an image stored in a video memory to a display unit,
The rendering target setting unit includes:
A program for setting an image rendering target so that the image rendering target to be output to the display unit is a video memory. A computer-readable information storage medium, wherein the program according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is stored. An image generation system configured such that a drawing processor can access a video memory via a first internal bus, and the drawing processor can access a main memory via a second internal bus,
A rendering target setting unit for setting whether to render an image in the main memory or the video memory;
In accordance with the content set by the rendering target setting unit, the image is rendered in one of the main memory and the video memory, and a new image is rendered in the other memory based on the image stored in the one memory. An image generation system including a drawing unit that performs multi-pass rendering processing.

Images