JP2001084394A - Picture generation system and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give an outline for producing a picture like a cell animation with less processing burden by generating the picture to which the outline is added based on information required for specifying the outline. SOLUTION: A three-dimensional object becoming the object of outlining is fluoroscopically converted into a screen coordinate shape (S10). The fluoroscopically converted picture (original picture) of the three-dimensional object is plotted in the RGB plane of a temporary buffer and mask information is set in an α plane (S20). A mask picture is specified and the mask picture painted by the color of an outline is plotted in a position shifted from the plotting schedule position of the original picture of a frame buffer upward by one pixel, a position shifted from the plotting schedule position downward by one pixel, a position shifted from the plotting schedule position rightward by one pixel and a position shifted from the plotting schedule position leftward by one pixel (S30 to 60). The original picture on the temporary buffer is plotted in the plotting schedule position of the original picture on the frame buffer (S70).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image generation system and an information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image generation system for generating an image which can be viewed from a given viewpoint in an object space which is a virtual three-dimensional space. It is popular as an experience. In such an image generation system, it has been desired to generate a more realistic image for improving the virtual reality of the player.

On the other hand, various animation movies and animation images are gaining in popularity. Instead of fascinating people with reality that is close to live action, these are fascinating people with the fun of cell-style images unique to animation.

However, since such an animation image is projected by reproducing an animation cell image prepared in advance, it is used as a movie image of a movie or a game opening, and is used as a game image which changes in real time. Not used.

Accordingly, the present applicant has proposed and is developing an image generation system that changes a cell animation style image in real time in response to a player's operation input or the like. In order to generate an image close to the cell animation, a method of generating an image with emphasized outlines has been devised, but there is a problem of how to generate an image with emphasized outlines with a small processing load. Was.

Theoretically, a cell animation image can be changed in real time by rendering a three-dimensional object in a cell animation style, and an animation shader is known as such a method. However, the technique of the animation shader has a heavy processing load, so it is difficult to adopt it in a home or business game system or the like that requires real-time properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide an image generation system for performing contouring capable of producing a cel animation-like image with a smaller processing load. An object of the present invention is to provide an information storage medium.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an image generation system for generating an image, which calculates information necessary for specifying a contour of a three-dimensional object,
Means for generating an image to which an outline is added based on information necessary for specifying the outline.

[0009] An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium usable by a computer, and includes a program for executing the above means. Further, the program according to the present invention is a program usable by a computer (including a program embodied in a carrier wave), and includes a processing routine for executing the above means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image in which an outline is added to an original image by calculating information necessary for specifying the outline. Therefore, even if the object does not have the information about the contour line in advance, the contouring can be performed by calculating the information necessary for specifying the contour in real time. For this reason, it is possible to further enhance the effect of producing a cell animation style effect on the three-dimensional object.

The image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention specify a contour portion by displacing a three-dimensional object by a small value in a plurality of different directions so as to overlap in a given three-dimensional space. Information required to perform the calculation.

A given three-dimensional space means a three-dimensional space in which a three-dimensional object before perspective transformation is arranged, which may be a space of a local coordinate system, a space of a world coordinate system, a viewpoint coordinate system, or the like. Or a space having another coordinate system.

Here, the minute value is preferably given according to the width of the contour to be added. For example, when a thick outline is desired, it is preferable to set a small value to a larger value than when a thin outline is desired.

By arranging a three-dimensional object in a plurality of different directions by a small value and superimposing it in a given three-dimensional space, specifying a contour portion having a small value width around the space in which the three-dimensional object is superimposed. Can be. Therefore, this can be used as information necessary for specifying a contour portion, and an image with a contour added can be generated.

According to the present invention, it is necessary to specify a contour portion by a simple algorithm and arithmetic processing in which a three-dimensional object is displaced by a small value in a plurality of different directions and superimposed on a given three-dimensional space. Information can be obtained.

Further, the image generation system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention provide a three-dimensional object after a perspective transformation image or a mask image specifying a drawing area of the perspective transformation image in a plurality of different directions. It is characterized in that an image area including an outline portion is specified by shifting and shifting an image to overlap a given drawing buffer.

Here, the minute value is preferably given according to the width of the contour to be added. For example, when a thick outline is desired, it is preferable to set a small value to a larger value than when a thin outline is desired.

A given drawing buffer is a storage area, such as a frame buffer, in which drawing information in pixel units can be written.

By rendering an image of a three-dimensional object after a perspective transformation or a mask image for specifying a drawing area of the image after a perspective transformation in a plurality of different directions by a small value and superimposing them on a given drawing buffer. In addition, it is possible to generate an outline portion having a small value width around the superimposed drawing area.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image with an outline added by a simple algorithm and arithmetic processing of drawing in a shifted manner.

It is possible to obtain detailed contour information by shifting the image in as many directions as possible. However, if the number of times of drawing is increased, the processing load is increased. It is preferable to set the most effective number of times of drawing.

When the mask image is drawn in the color of the contour line to be displayed, an image in which a contour line having a small value width is drawn in the color of the contour line to be displayed around the superimposed drawing area can be generated.

The image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention add an outline to an original image by drawing the original image on pixels other than the outline portion of the image area including the outline portion. And generating the image.

Here, the original image is an image of the three-dimensional object after the perspective transformation or an image generated based on the image and before the contour is added according to the present invention. For example, when texture mapping or the like is performed, the image is a texture-mapped image.

According to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image in which a contour is added to an original image by a simple algorithm and an arithmetic processing in which an original image is overlaid on pixels other than the contour in an image area including the contour. Can be.

Further, the image generation system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention render the perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object in a spare frame buffer and, based on the image rendered in the spare frame buffer, At least one of the mask image and the original image is drawn in the frame buffer.

According to the present invention, the speed of the processing can be increased by performing the drawing by the two-pass method using the spare frame buffer.

The image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention are arranged such that, for each pixel of the given buffer or spare frame buffer on which an image of the three-dimensional object after the perspective transformation is drawn, Is provided with mask information capable of identifying whether the rendered image is a perspective-transformed image or a background portion of the three-dimensional object, and at least one of the original image and the mask image is rendered based on the mask information. It is characterized by doing.

By using the mask information, it is easy to specify at least one of the original image and the mask image to be drawn. Note that the mask information may be provided, for example, as the α value of the pixel information, or a buffer for the mask information may be provided.

[0030]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of the present embodiment. In the figure, the present embodiment only needs to include at least the processing unit 100 (or may include the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 170, or the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 170 and the information storage medium 180), and other blocks. (For example, the operation unit 16
0, the display unit 190, the sound output unit 192, the portable information storage device 194, and the communication unit 196) can be optional components.

The processing unit 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction of each block in the system, game processing, image processing, sound processing, and the like. Processor (CPU, DSP)
Or an ASIC (gate array or the like) or a given program (game program).

The operation section 160 is used by a player to input operation data, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, and a housing.

The storage unit 170 stores the processing unit 100 and the communication unit 1
A work area such as 96
It can be realized by hardware such as.

An information storage medium (storage medium usable by a computer) 180 stores information such as programs and data.
D, DVD), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or memory (RO
M) and the like. Processing unit 10
0 performs various processes of the present invention (the present embodiment) based on the information stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 stores information (a program or a program and data) for executing the means (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100) of the present invention (the present embodiment).

A part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 180 is transferred to the storage unit 170 when the power to the system is turned on. Information storage medium 1
The information stored in 80 is a program code for performing the processing of the present invention, image data, sound data, shape data of a display object, table data, list data, information for instructing the processing of the present invention, and instructions for the processing. The information includes at least one of information for performing processing according to.

The display section 190 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment.
LCD or HMD (Head Mount Display)
It can be realized by hardware such as.

The sound output section 192 outputs the sound generated according to the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a speaker.

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

The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with an external device (for example, a host device or another image generation system), and has a function of various processors or a communication ASIC. Hardware and programs.

A program or data for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) is distributed from the information storage medium of the host device (server) to the information storage medium 180 via the network and the communication unit 196. It may be. Use of the information storage medium of such a host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

The processing section 100 includes a game processing section 110, an image processing section 140, and a sound processing section 150.

Here, the game processing section 110 performs processing for accepting coins (price), setting processing for various modes, processing for proceeding with a game, setting processing for a selection screen, the position and rotation angle of an object (X, Y or Z axis rotation). Processing to determine the rotation angle), processing to move the object (motion processing), processing to determine the viewpoint position and gaze angle (gaze direction),
Processing to arrange objects such as map objects in the object space, hit check processing, processing to calculate game results (results, results), processing for multiple players to play in a common game space, or game over processing Various game processes are performed based on operation data from the operation unit 160, personal data and storage data from the portable information storage device 194, a game program, and the like.

The image processing unit 140 includes a game processing unit 110
Various image processes are performed in accordance with instructions from the user. In addition, the sound processing unit 150 includes the game processing unit 110
Various types of sound processing are performed in accordance with instructions from the user.

All of the functions of the image processing unit 140 and the sound processing unit 150 may be realized by hardware, or all of them may be realized by a program. Alternatively, it may be realized by both hardware and a program.

The game processing section 110 includes a movement / motion calculation section 114.

The movement / motion calculation section 114 calculates movement information (position data and rotation angle data) and movement information (position data and rotation angle data of each part of the object) of an object such as a car. , Operation unit 1
Based on the operation data or the game program input by the player through the operation 60, a process of moving or operating the object is performed.

More specifically, the movement / motion calculation unit 114
Performs a process of obtaining the position and rotation angle of the object, for example, for each frame (1/60 second). For example, (k-
1) The position of the object in the frame is PMk-1, the speed is VMk-1, the acceleration is AMk-1, and the time of one frame is Δt.
And Then, the position PM of the object at the k frame
k and the speed VMk are obtained, for example, as in the following equations (1) and (2).

PMk = PMk−1 + VMk−1 × Δt (1) VMk = VMk−1 + AMk−1 × Δt (2) The image processing unit 140 includes a geometry processing unit (three-dimensional coordinate calculation unit) 142 and a drawing unit ( Rendering unit) 146.

Here, the geometry processing unit 142 performs various types of geometry processing (three-dimensional coordinate calculation) such as coordinate conversion, clipping processing, perspective conversion, and light source calculation.

The drawing unit 146 includes a contour processing unit 144, and performs a process of drawing an object based on the object data after the geometry processing (after the perspective transformation) and the texture stored in the texture buffer.

The contour processing section 144 calculates information necessary for specifying the contour of the three-dimensional object, and performs processing for generating an image with a contour added based on this information.
For example, an outline portion is drawn by shifting a perspective transformed image of a three-dimensional object or a mask image specifying a drawing area of the perspective transformed image by a small value in a plurality of different directions and overlapping a given drawing buffer. The included image area can be specified. Then, by drawing the original image over the pixels other than the outline portion of the image area including the outline portion, an image in which the outline is added to the original image can be generated.

Here, the image of the three-dimensional object after the perspective transformation is drawn in a spare frame buffer,
At least one of the mask image and the original image may be drawn in the frame buffer based on the image drawn in the spare frame buffer.

For each pixel of the given buffer or spare frame buffer on which the perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object is rendered, the pixel rendered at the pixel is the perspective-converted image of the three-dimensional object after the perspective transformation. Mask information for identifying whether the image is an image or a background portion may be provided, and at least one of the original image and the mask image may be drawn based on the mask information.

Note that the image generation system of the present embodiment
A system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, or a system including not only such a single player mode but also a multiplayer mode in which a plurality of players can play, may be used.

When a plurality of players play,
The game image and the game sound to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or may be generated using a plurality of terminals connected by a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Is also good.

2. Features and operations of the present embodiment The features of the present embodiment are that information necessary for specifying the contour of a three-dimensional object is calculated, and an image with a contour added based on the information is generated.

FIG. 2 shows an image obtained when a normal rendering process is performed on a donut-shaped three-dimensional object without emphasizing the contour, and FIG. 3 shows the contour of the present embodiment on the donut-shaped three-dimensional object. It shows an image that has undergone a rendering process with emphasis.

In a conventional three-dimensional CG, it is general to generate a real and natural image closer to a real photograph as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the contours 210 and 220 are contoured to render the three-dimensional object in a cell animation style.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example when contouring is performed in this embodiment.

A method for contouring a three-dimensional object according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a three-dimensional object to be contoured is perspectively transformed into a screen coordinate form (step S1).
0).

Then, an image after the perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object (hereinafter referred to as an original image) is drawn on an RGB plane of a temporary buffer (backup frame buffer),
Set mask information in the α plane (step S2
0).

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a temporary buffer (spare frame buffer). The temporary buffer (spare frame buffer) is a buffer in which pixel information of each pixel is drawn, and includes an R plane 310, a G plane 320, and a B plane 330 for storing R, G, and B values of each pixel. , An α plane 340 for storing the α value of each pixel.

The α value is used to store mask information capable of discriminating whether the image drawn on the pixel is a perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object (hereinafter referred to as an original image) or a background portion. Can be Note that the mask information may be mask bits indicating whether the image is the original image or the background portion by ON or OFF, or may be configured such that the original image and the background portion can be identified by comparing an α value with a certain threshold value. May be given.

The temporary buffer (spare frame buffer) may be provided on the VRAM as in the case of the frame buffer, or may be provided on the main memory. In the present embodiment, a temporary buffer (backup frame buffer) is provided on the VRAM in the same manner as the frame buffer, and the processing is speeded up by performing drawing by the two-pass method.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show R, G, and B planes 300 of a temporary buffer (backup frame buffer) and α.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between planes 340. FIG.
If 370 in (A) is the original image and 380 is the background, the mask information indicating the original image is stored in the pixels in the area 360 corresponding to the original image on the α plane of the temporary buffer (spare frame buffer). It is remembered.

FIGS. 7A to 7F show how a contour is generated by overlaying a mask image on a frame buffer by shifting the mask image by a small value in a plurality of different directions with respect to the drawing position of the original image. It is a figure for explaining. FIG.
Reference numeral 410 in FIG. 4A indicates a planned drawing position of the original image in the frame buffer 400. The mask image is an image for specifying a drawing area of the original image.

In steps S30 to S60 in FIG. 4, a process of drawing the mask image by shifting the mask image upward, downward, rightward and leftward from the planned drawing position of the original image is performed.

That is, the mask image is specified based on the mask information of the α-plane of the temporary buffer (backup frame buffer), and the mask image filled with the outline color is placed above the original image drawing position of the frame buffer. Drawing is performed at a position shifted by one pixel (step S30, FIG. 7).
(See (B) 420).

Next, the mask image painted in the color of the outline is drawn at a position shifted by one pixel from the drawing position of the original image in the frame buffer (step S40).
(See 430 in FIG. 7C).

Next, the mask image painted in the color of the outline is drawn at a position shifted by one pixel to the right from the drawing position of the original image in the frame buffer (step S50).
(See 440 in FIG. 7D).

Next, the mask image painted in the color of the outline is drawn at a position shifted one pixel to the left from the drawing position of the original image in the frame buffer (step S60).
(See 450 in FIG. 7E).

Then, the original image on the temporary buffer is drawn at the drawing position of the original image on the frame buffer (step S70, see FIG. 7F).

Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (F), the contour lines 472, 474, 1
476, 478 have been generated.

As described above, in this embodiment, the mask image is shifted in the plurality of directions by a small value and overlapped on the frame buffer to be drawn, thereby generating a contour portion having a small value width around the overlapped drawing area. be able to.
Therefore, it is possible to generate an image to which a contour is added by a simple algorithm and an arithmetic process of drawing with a shift.

3. Hardware Configuration Next, an example of a hardware configuration that can realize the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The main processor 900 is a CD982
(Information storage medium), a program transferred via the communication interface 990, or a program stored in the ROM 950 (one of the information storage media).
Various processes such as sound processing are executed.

The coprocessor 902 assists the processing of the main processor 900, has a multiply-accumulate unit and a divider capable of high-speed parallel operation, and executes a matrix operation (vector operation) at high speed. For example, when a physical simulation for moving or moving an object requires processing such as matrix operation, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs the coprocessor 902 to perform the processing (request ).

The geometry processor 904 performs geometry processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, light source calculation, and curved surface generation. The geometry processor 904 includes a multiply-accumulate unit and a divider capable of high-speed parallel operation, and performs a matrix operation (vector operation). Calculation) at high speed. For example, when performing processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, and light source calculation, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs the geometry processor 904 to perform the processing.

The data expansion processor 906 performs a decoding process for expanding the compressed image data and sound data, and performs a process for accelerating the decoding process of the main processor 900. As a result, a moving image compressed by the MPEG method or the like can be displayed on an opening screen, an intermission screen, an ending screen, a game screen, or the like. The image data and sound data to be decoded are stored in the ROM 950,
It is stored on a CD 982 or transferred from outside via a communication interface 990.

The drawing processor 910 executes a high-speed drawing (rendering) process of an object composed of primitive surfaces such as polygons and curved surfaces. When drawing an object, the main processor 900
Uses the function of the DMA controller 970 to pass object data to the drawing processor 910,
If necessary, the texture is transferred to the texture storage unit 924. Then, the drawing processor 910 draws the object in the frame buffer 922 at high speed while performing hidden surface removal using a Z buffer or the like based on the object data and the texture. Further, the drawing processor 910 includes α blending (semi-transparent processing), mip mapping, fog processing, trilinear
Filtering, anti-aliasing, shading, and the like can also be performed. Then, when an image for one frame is written to the frame buffer 922, the image is displayed on the display 912.

The sound processor 930 includes a multi-channel ADPCM sound source and the like, and generates high-quality game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and voices. The generated game sound is output from the speaker 932.

Operation data from the game controller 942, save data and personal data from the memory card 944 are transferred via the serial interface 940.

The ROM 950 stores a system program and the like. In the case of the arcade game system, the ROM 950 functions as an information storage medium,
Various programs are stored in 950. Note that a hard disk may be used instead of the ROM 950.

The RAM 960 is used as a work area for various processors.

The DMA controller 970 is used to transfer data between the processor and the memory (RAM, VRAM, ROM, etc.).
A transfer is controlled.

The CD drive 980 stores a CD 982 in which programs, image data, sound data, and the like are stored.
(Information storage medium) to enable access to these programs and data.

The communication interface 990 is an interface for transferring data with the outside via a network. In this case, a network connected to the communication interface 990 may be a communication line (analog telephone line, ISDN), a high-speed serial interface bus, or the like. And
Using a communication line enables data transfer via the Internet. In addition, by using a high-speed serial interface bus, other image generation systems,
Data transfer with other game systems or information processing devices (personal computers, printers, mice, keyboards, etc.) becomes possible.

The means of the present invention may be entirely executed only by hardware, or executed only by a program stored in an information storage medium or a program distributed via a communication interface. Is also good. Alternatively, it may be executed by both hardware and a program.

When each means of the present invention is executed by both hardware and a program, the information storage medium has a program (program and program) for executing each means of the present invention using hardware. Data) will be stored. More specifically, the program is executed by each of the processors 902, 904,
The processing is instructed to 906, 910, 930, etc., and data is passed if necessary. Then, each processor 90
2, 904, 906, 910, 930, etc. execute the respective means of the present invention based on the instruction and the passed data.

FIG. 9A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the button 1104, and the like while watching the game image projected on the display 1100. Various processors, various memories, and the like are mounted on a built-in system board (circuit board) 1106. A program (or a program and data) for executing each unit of the present invention is stored in the memory 11 as an information storage medium on the system board 1106.
08 is stored. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.

FIG. 9B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while watching the game image projected on the display 1200. In this case, the storage information is stored in a CD 1206 or a memory card 1208, 1209, which is an information storage medium detachable from the main system.

FIG. 9C shows a host device 1300, a host device 1300 and a network 1302 (LAN
Terminal 1304 connected via a small network such as the Internet or a wide area network such as the Internet.
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a system including -1 to 1304-n will be described. In this case, the storage information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300. When the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n are capable of generating a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, a game program for generating a game image and a game sound is transmitted from the host device 1300 to the terminal 1313.
04-1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, and transmits them to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-1.
The data is transmitted to the terminal 304-n and output at the terminal.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 9C, each means of the present invention may be executed by distributing between a host device (server) and a terminal. Further, the storage information for executing each means of the present invention may be stored separately in an information storage medium of a host device (server) and an information storage medium of a terminal.

The terminal connected to the network may be a home game system or an arcade game system. When the arcade game system is connected to a network, a portable information storage device capable of exchanging information with the arcade game system and exchanging information with the home game system. (Memory card, portable game device) is desirable.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be variously modified.

For example, in the invention according to the dependent claims of the present invention, a configuration in which some of the constituent elements of the dependent claims are omitted may be adopted. In addition, a main part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention may be made dependent on another independent claim.

Further, in the present embodiment, coordinate transformation and perspective transformation have been described as examples of the geometry processing, but the geometry processing of the present invention is not limited to these.

In the above description, RGB is used as an example of color information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, values such as HSV and HLS may be used.

In this embodiment, drawing is performed once in a temporary buffer, and thereafter, drawing is performed in a frame buffer.
The case where the path format is adopted has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be realized even when the image is written into the frame buffer in one pass, and the drawing may be performed in the frame buffer in three passes or more.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a mask image is drawn at a position shifted one pixel upward, downward, rightward, and leftward from a planned drawing position of an original image to specify an image area including an outline portion. Not limited to this. More detailed contour information can be obtained by drawing in more different directions, but increasing the number of drawing times increases the processing load, so it is most effective according to the shape of the image after perspective transformation. It is preferable to set an appropriate number of times of drawing.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which an image area including a contour portion is specified based on an image of a three-dimensional object after perspective transformation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information necessary for specifying a contour portion may be calculated by arranging three-dimensional objects before perspective transformation in a different three-dimensional space in a plurality of different directions and displacing them by minute values.

The present invention also relates to various games (fighting games,
Shooting games, robot fighting games, sports games, competition games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.).

The present invention also provides various images such as a business game system, a home game system, a large attraction system in which many players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, an image generation system, and a system board for generating game images. Applicable to generation systems.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram of an image generation system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an image obtained when a normal rendering process is performed on a donut-shaped three-dimensional object without emphasizing a contour.

FIG. 3 illustrates an image obtained by performing rendering processing on a donut-shaped three-dimensional object in which the contour of the present embodiment is emphasized.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example when contouring is performed in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a temporary buffer (spare frame buffer).

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the R, G, and B planes of a temporary buffer (spare frame buffer) and the α plane.

FIGS. 7A to 7F show how a contour is generated by shifting a mask image by a small value in a plurality of different directions with respect to a drawing position of an original image and overlapping the frame image on a frame buffer; FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams showing examples of various types of systems to which the present embodiment is applied; FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 processing unit 110 game processing unit 112 editing screen display unit 114 movement / motion calculation 140 image processing unit 142 geometry processing unit 144 contour processing unit 146 drawing unit 150 sound processing unit 160 operation unit 170 storage unit 172 main memory 174 frame buffer 176 texture Storage unit 180 Information storage medium 190 Display unit 192 Sound output unit 194 Portable information storage device 196 Communication unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image generation system for generating an image, comprising: means for calculating information necessary for specifying a contour of a three-dimensional object; and a contour based on the information necessary for specifying the contour. Means for generating an image to which an image is added. 2. The information according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional object is shifted by a small value in a plurality of different directions and superimposed on a given three-dimensional space to calculate information necessary for specifying a contour portion. An image generation system, characterized in that: 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a mask image for specifying a perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object or a drawing area of the perspective-transformed image is shifted by a small value in a plurality of different directions. An image generation system characterized in that an image area including an outline portion is specified by drawing an image on a given drawing buffer. 4. An image in which a contour is added to an original image by drawing the original image so as to overlap pixels other than the contour portion of the image area including the contour portion. Image generation system. 5. The image according to claim 3, wherein an image of the three-dimensional object after the perspective transformation is drawn on a spare frame buffer, and the mask image and the original image are drawn based on the image drawn on the spare frame buffer. An image generation system, wherein at least one of the images is drawn in a frame buffer. 6. The pixel according to claim 3, wherein each pixel of the given buffer or the spare frame buffer on which the perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object is drawn is drawn on the pixel. The image processing apparatus has mask information capable of identifying whether the image is a perspective-transformed image or a background part of a three-dimensional object, and draws at least one of an original image and a mask image based on the mask information. Image generation system. 7. An information storage medium usable by a computer, comprising: means for calculating information necessary for specifying a contour of a three-dimensional object; and a contour based on the information necessary for specifying the contour. An information storage medium storing means for generating an added image, and a program for executing the program. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein information necessary for specifying a contour portion is calculated by disposing the three-dimensional object by a small value in a plurality of different directions and superposing the three-dimensional object on a given three-dimensional space. An information storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein a mask image for specifying a perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object or a drawing area of the perspective-transformed image is shifted by a small value in a plurality of different directions. An information storage medium characterized in that an image area including an outline portion is specified by performing drawing on a given drawing buffer in an overlapping manner. 10. The image according to claim 9, wherein an image having an outline added to the original image is generated by superimposing and drawing the original image on pixels other than the outline in the image area including the outline. Information storage medium. 11. The image according to claim 9, wherein an image of the three-dimensional object after perspective transformation is drawn in a spare frame buffer, and the mask image and the original image are rendered based on the image drawn in the spare frame buffer. An information storage medium for drawing at least one of images in a frame buffer. 12. The pixel according to claim 9, wherein each pixel of the given buffer or the spare frame buffer on which an image of the three-dimensional object after the perspective transformation is drawn is drawn on the pixel. The image processing apparatus has mask information capable of identifying whether the image is a perspective-transformed image or a background part of a three-dimensional object, and draws at least one of an original image and a mask image based on the mask information. Information storage medium.