JP2001224844A - Game system and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system and an information storage medium capable of generating the image of heat waves or the like generated around a flame changed in shape at real time, with a small processing burden. SOLUTION: A primitive is plotted in an image plotting area to generate mask information changed in the shape of a masked area or a non-masked area at real time, and using the generated mask information, an original image and its gradated image are mask-composited. Flame particles generated, moved and disappearing with the lapse of time are used as the plotted primitive. The generated position, moving state or service life of the flame particles is changed at random. The mask information is generated on the basis of the α-value of the plotted primitive. A distorted image and a flame image (mask image) are composited to form a first composite image including the mask information, and the first composite image and the original image are mask-composited using the mask information included in the first composite image, to express heat waves.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game system and an information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a game system for generating an image which can be viewed from a given viewpoint in an object space which is a virtual three-dimensional space. Popular as something you can do. For example, in a game system in which a player can enjoy a flight simulator game, a player flies an airplane (object) operated by himself / herself in an object space and performs a battle with another player or an airplane operated by a computer. Enjoy the game.

In such a game system, it is an important technical problem to generate a more realistic image in order to improve the virtual reality of the player. Therefore, for example, it is desired that a heat image or the like generated in an afterburner of an airplane can be represented by a realistic image.

[0004] As a method of expressing the afterburner heat haze, the following method can be considered.

That is, in this method, a plurality of flame objects having different shapes to which the texture of the picture of the flame of the afterburner is mapped are prepared in advance. Then, these flame objects are switched like an animation to express a state in which the flame sways.

However, this technique requires a large number of flame objects in order to realistically represent the heat haze, which causes a problem that the storage capacity of the object data increases. In particular, in order to generate a consistent image even when viewed from all directions, it is necessary to prepare a flame object having a different shape according to the viewing direction, which results in an increase in the storage capacity of the object data. Makes the problem even more serious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to reduce an image such as a heat haze generated around a flame whose shape changes in real time with a small processing load. It is to provide a game system and an information storage medium that can be generated.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a game system for generating an image, wherein one or a plurality of primitives are drawn in a given drawing area so that a mask area is drawn. Or means for generating mask information in which the shape of the non-mask area changes in real time,
Synthesizing means for synthesizing a first image and a second image using a mask using the generated mask information.
Further, an information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used 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, the first and second images are mask-combined using mask information generated by drawing a primitive (a primitive after geometry processing) in a drawing area. Therefore, it is possible to generate an image in which the first image is displayed in the mask area specified by the mask information and the second image is displayed in the non-mask area specified by the mask information. Alternatively, an image in which the second image is displayed in the mask area and the first image is displayed in the non-mask area can be generated.

According to the present invention, since the mask information is generated by drawing the primitive in the drawing area, the shape of the mask area or the non-mask area changes in real time. Therefore, the area in which the first image is displayed and the area in which the second image is displayed change in real time, and a more realistic image than before can be generated.

Further, in the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention, one of the first and second images is an original image, and the other of the first and second images is an original image. Is an image obtained by applying an image effect to the image.

This makes it possible to generate an image in which the original image and the image obtained by applying the image effect to the original image can be generated, and the degree of variety of the generated image can be increased.

[0013] In the game system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention, the primitive drawn in the drawing area is a particle that is generated, moved, and disappears as time passes.

As described above, when the mask information is generated by drawing particles, the shape of the mask area or the non-mask area changes in conjunction with the change in the outer shape of the irregular display object represented by the particles. And a more realistic image can be generated.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention are characterized in that:
It is characterized by including means (or a program or a processing routine for executing the means) for randomly changing at least one of the occurrence position, the movement state, and the life.

By doing so, the position of the particles and the like change randomly, and the outer shape of the display object represented by the particles also changes steadily. Then, the shape of the mask area or the non-mask area changes swayingly in conjunction with the change in the outer shape of the display object, and a more realistic image can be generated.

In the game system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention, the mask information is generated based on an α value of the primitive drawn in the drawing area.

In this manner, mask information can be generated by effectively utilizing the α value used for the translucent representation of a primitive. According to the present invention, mask information can be generated simply by drawing the primitive in which the α value is set in the drawing area, so that new processing for generating mask information is not required, and the processing load is greatly reduced. Can be reduced.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention are characterized in that the synthesizing means converts the second image and a third image generated by drawing the primitive in the drawing area. Compositing to generate a first composite image including the mask information, and performing mask composition of the first composite image and the first image using the mask information included in the first composite image. And generating a second composite image.

With this configuration, for example, an image in which a first image is displayed in a mask area and a first synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the second and third images in a non-mask area, An image in which the first composite image is displayed in the mask area and the first image is displayed in the non-mask area can be generated, and the degree of variety of the generated image can be increased.

[0021]

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 a game system (image generation system) 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 160 and the display unit 19
0, the sound output unit 192, the portable information storage device 194, and the communication unit 196) can be optional components.

The processing section 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction of each block in the system, game processing, image processing, and sound processing. Various processors (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 (program or 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 the outside (for example, a host device or another game system), and has a function of various processors or an ASIC for communication. This can be realized by hardware, a program, or the like.

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 generation section 130, and a sound generation section 150.

The game processing unit 110 receives coins (price), sets various modes, progresses the game, sets a selection screen, and sets the position and rotation angle of an object (one or more primitive planes). Processing for calculating (the rotation angle around the X, Y or Z axis), processing for moving the object (motion processing), processing for obtaining the position of the viewpoint (the position of the virtual camera) and the line of sight (the rotation angle of the virtual camera), the map object Such as processing for arranging objects in the object space, hit check processing, processing for calculating game results (results, results), processing for playing by a plurality of players in a common game space, or game over processing. The game processing is performed by operating data from the operation unit 160 or the portable information storage device 194.
Based on personal data, stored data, and game programs.

The image generation unit 130 includes a game processing unit 110
Performs various image processing in accordance with an instruction from the camera, generates an image that can be viewed from a virtual camera (viewpoint) in the object space, and outputs the generated image to the display unit 190.

The sound generation unit 150 performs various sound processes in accordance with instructions from the game processing unit 110, and performs BGM,
A sound such as a sound effect or a sound is generated and output to the sound output unit 192.

The game processing unit 110 and the image generation unit 1
30, all of the functions of the sound generation 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 is a movement / motion calculation section 1
12 inclusive.

Here, the movement / motion calculation unit 112 calculates movement information (position data, rotation angle data) and movement information (position data, rotation angle data of each part of the object) of an object (model) such as a character. For example, based on operation data or a game program input by a player through the operation unit 160, a process of moving or moving an object is performed.

More specifically, the movement / motion calculation unit 112
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 generation unit 130 has a particle processing unit 132, a geometry processing unit 134, and a drawing unit 140. including.

Here, the particle processing unit 132 is provided with an irregularly shaped display object (for example, flame, smoke, water,
A process for sequentially generating, moving, or extinguishing particles (for example, a flame particle, a smoke particle) for expressing an explosion with time is performed. More specifically, a process of randomly changing the generation amount, generation position, moving state (speed, acceleration, etc.) or life of the particles is performed. As a result, an irregularly shaped display object such as a flame can be realistically expressed.

The geometry processing unit 134 performs various types of geometries such as coordinate conversion from a local coordinate system to a world coordinate system, coordinate conversion from a world coordinate system to a viewpoint coordinate system, perspective conversion to a screen coordinate system, clipping, and light source calculation. Processing (three-dimensional operation) is performed on the object. The drawing data (position coordinates, texture coordinates, color (luminance) data, α value, etc., of the definition points of the two-dimensional primitive surface) obtained by the geometry processing are stored in the storage unit 17.
0 is stored in the main memory 172.

The drawing (rendering) section 140 performs texture mapping, color (luminance) data interpolation processing, hidden surface elimination, and the like, based on the drawing data obtained by the geometry processing and stored in the main memory 172. Is drawn in the frame buffer 174 or the like. As a result, an image is generated at a given viewpoint (virtual camera) in the object space where the object is arranged.

The drawing unit 140 includes a mask information generation unit 14
2, including a synthesizing unit 144.

Here, the mask information generation section 142 generates a mask information (mask plane) such that the shape of the mask area or the non-mask area changes in real time by drawing the primitive in the drawing area. I do. More specifically, this mask information is, for example,
It can be generated based on the α value set for the primitive drawn in the drawing area.

The drawing area is an area in which data in units of pixels can be drawn, and includes a frame buffer, another buffer (temporary drawing buffer), and the like.

In the present embodiment, as primitives to be drawn in the drawing area, 3D (three-dimensional) sprites, 3D objects, primitive surfaces (polygons, free-form surfaces), lines or points can be considered.

The α (alpha) value is information stored in association with each pixel, for example, plus alpha information other than color information. This α value can be used as transparency (equivalent to opacity and translucency), mask information, bump information, and the like.

The synthesizing unit 144 includes a mask information generating unit 142
A mask synthesis process is performed on the first image (for example, the original image) and the second image (for example, an image obtained by applying an image effect to the original image) using the mask information generated by the above. Thus, the first image is displayed in the mask area specified by the mask information, and the second image is displayed in the non-mask area specified by the mask information. Alternatively, the second image is displayed in the mask area, and the first image is displayed in the non-mask area.

The synthesizing unit 144 translucently synthesizes the above-described second image and the third image generated by drawing the primitive in the drawing area, and performs the first synthesis including mask information. An image is generated, and a process of combining the first combined image with the first image using mask information is also performed.

It should be noted that the game system according to the present embodiment
The system may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, or a system having not only such a single player mode but also a multi-player mode in which a plurality of players can play.

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. 2. Features of the Present Embodiment 2.1 Synthesis Using Mask Information In the present embodiment, first, as shown at A1 in FIG. 2, an original image (a first area on a VRAM, for example, a frame buffer) is stored in a drawing area 1 (a frame buffer). Image).

The original image is, for example, an image (frame image) drawn based on drawing data (polygon data) obtained by the geometry processing.

Next, as shown by A2 in FIG. 2, a distorted image (second image) obtained by applying an image effect to the original image is converted into a drawing area 2 (an area on VRAM, for example, a frame). (A separate buffer provided in an area different from the buffer). This can be realized, for example, by drawing a polygon of a display screen size (or a polygon of a size obtained by dividing the display screen) in which a distortion image of the original image is mapped as a texture in the drawing area 2.

It is to be noted that, besides distortion, various effects such as blur, mosaic, negative / positive inversion, posterization, solarization, binarization, monotone filter, sepia filter, pixel replacement or pixel averaging can be considered as image effects. it can.

Next, as shown at A3 in FIG. 2, a drawing area 3 (an area on the VRAM, for example, another buffer)
Mask information (mask plane) such that the shape of a mask region or a non-mask region changes in real time by drawing one or more primitives (3D sprite, 3D object, primitive surface, line or point)
Generate

More specifically, mask information having a flame-shaped non-mask region (or a mask region) is generated by drawing a large number of flame particles in the drawing region 3 as described later. Then, the non-mask area is deformed in real time by changing the position of the flame particles or the like (deformed in virtual time, real time, or the elapse of a frame)
Will do.

Next, as shown by A4 in FIG. 2, the original image of the drawing area 1 and the distortion image of the drawing area 2 are mask-synthesized using the generated mask information.

More specifically, for example, when the distortion image in the drawing area 2 is overwritten on the original image in the drawing area 1, the distortion image is prevented from being drawn in the mask area (the original image is drawn in the non-mask area). Not to be). This allows
The original image is displayed in the mask area, and the distorted image is displayed in the non-mask area.

Note that, contrary to A4 in FIG. 2, a distorted image may be displayed in the mask area and the original image may be displayed in the non-mask area.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the mask information is generated by drawing the primitive in the drawing area, the shape of the mask area or the non-mask area specified by the mask information changes in real time. . Accordingly, since the shapes of the mask region and the non-mask region also change in conjunction with the change in the shape of the flame, a heat haze around the flame can be realistically expressed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction change to change the appearance of the flame, the shapes of the mask region and the non-mask region also change in accordance with the change. Therefore, a real image can be generated without preparing many masks of different shapes according to the viewpoint position and the line of sight.

2.2 Expression of Flame by Particles In the present embodiment, a flame whose shape changes to an irregular shape is expressed by using a flame particle (light source particle) which is generated, moved, and disappears with time. ing. The amount, position, moving state, or life of the flame particles changes randomly.

For example, FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4
(A) and (B) show examples of game images generated according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 3A, the flame 20 is lit on the candle 18. The flame 20 is represented by a plurality of flame particles generated from the tip of the candle 18. Objects such as a bear 22, a desk 24, and a carpet 26 around the flame 20 emit light from the flame 20 (specifically,
Light from the representative light source set at the representative position of the flame particle is shaded. The light also generates the shadow 30 of the bear 22 and the like.

In FIG. 3B, the candle 18 falls down,
The flame 20 has been burned to the desk 24, and the overall shape of the flame 20 has changed from FIG. FIG. 4A,
In FIG. 3B, the flame 20 transferred to the desk 24 is further spread, and the size of the entire shape of the flame 20 is further increased as compared with FIG. 3B.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by expressing a flame with a large number of flame particles, a real image of the flame whose shape changes in real time has been successfully generated.

Here, the flame particle may be a three-dimensional object such as a sphere or a planar object. Alternatively, it may be a line or a point.

When adopting a plane-shaped flame particle, as shown in FIG. 5, the main surface of the flame particle FP is substantially perpendicular to the line connecting the viewpoint VP and the flame particle FP. It is desirable to dispose the FP at first. In this way, if the flame particles are represented by so-called 3D sprites, the viewpoint VP and the flame particles F
Even when the relative positional relationship with P changes, the viewpoint VP
As a result, the flame particle FP is always displayed in the maximum size. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently represent an irregular display such as a flame without increasing the number of flame particles FP.

In the 3D sprite of FIG. 5, the value of α in the area where the picture of the flame is drawn is a value other than 0 (0 <α).
≦ 1), and the α values of the other areas are 0
(Transparent). By doing so, it is possible to represent a droplet-shaped flame particle while using a quadrangular polygon. Also, by setting the α value in this way, it is possible to generate mask information using the α value, as described later.

Next, a specific control method of the flame particles will be described.

For example, in FIG.
Is represented by flame particles sequentially generated from the generation position 40. Each of these flame particles moves upward (Y direction) after being generated at the generation position 40, and disappears when the life is over. By generating such flame particles one after another from the generation position 40, the flame 20 as shown in FIG. 6A can be expressed.

In this case, in this embodiment, the moving state (speed or acceleration, etc.) and the life of the flame particles change randomly. Therefore, even if a plurality of flame particles are generated at the same time, the range occupied by the plurality of flame particles has a certain extent (area), so that the flame 20 of the candle 18 can be realistically expressed. Become.

In FIG. 6B, the candle 18 falls down,
The flame is burning on the desk 24. In this case, FIG.
As shown in B1 of (B), a certain range of the source area is set on the desk 24, and the flame particles are sequentially generated from the generation positions randomly selected in the source area. In addition, the amount of generated flame particles also changes randomly.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B, as shown by B2 and B3, the range of the source area is further expanded.
4 Flame particles are generated from various places.
Thereby, it is possible to realistically express the manner in which the flame burns and spreads on the desk 24.

In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the desk 24
, The range of the source area is widened, and a state in which the entire desk 24 is burning with flame is expressed (FIG. 4A,
(B)). Then, in this case, in the present embodiment, the generation amount, the generation position, the moving state, and the life of the flame particles change randomly, and the position of each flame particle also changes in real time. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the overall shape of the flame changes swaying like a real world flame, so that a very realistic flame image can be generated. Become.

According to the present embodiment, when the overall shape of the flame image changes steadily, the non-mask area (mask area) shown in A3 of FIG. 2 also changes in accordance with the change in the shape. Change. Therefore, as shown by A4 in FIG. 2, the shape of the distorted image combined with the original image also changes, and it is possible to express a heat haze.

2.3 Generation of Mask Information Using α Value In this embodiment, the mask information is generated based on the α value of the flame particles (primitives in a broad sense) drawn in the drawing area.

That is, in the present embodiment, C1 and C1 in FIG.
2. As shown in C3, after preparing the original image in the drawing area 1 and the distortion image in the drawing area 2, the flame particles are drawn in the drawing area 3.

At this time, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the value of α satisfying 0 <α ≦ 1 is set in the portion of the flame picture of each flame particle. Therefore, the flame particles are drawn in the drawing area 3
, The α value set in the picture of the flame is written in the pixel where the picture of the flame is drawn.

In the present embodiment, the α value written in this way is used as mask information.

That is, as shown by C3 in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, an α value satisfying 0 <α ≦ 1 is set in the area where the flame image is drawn, and the flame image is not drawn. In the area,
An α value that satisfies α = 0 is set.

In this embodiment, the drawing area 3
(Semi-transparent composition) of the third image and the distorted image
A first composite image as shown at C4 in FIG. 9 is generated. The first composite image includes mask information having an α value such that 0 <α ≦ 1 in the non-mask area and α = 0 in the mask area.

Then, the first synthesized image is overwritten on the original image in the first drawing area, thereby generating a second synthesized image as shown by C5 in FIG. At this time, in the present embodiment, the original image of the drawing area 1 and the first composite image of the drawing area 2 are mask-combined using the α value (mask information) included in the first combined image. That is, in the mask area where α = 0, the first composite image is prevented from being drawn, and 0 <α ≦
The first composite image is drawn only in the non-mask area that becomes 1. Thereby, as shown in C5 of FIG.
The original image is displayed in the mask area, and an image obtained by translucently combining the flame image and the distortion image is displayed in the non-mask area.

FIGS. 10A to 12 show examples of each image generated according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10A is an example of the original image shown at C1 in FIG. FIG. 10B shows an example of a distortion image shown as C2. This distortion image is generated by applying a distortion image effect to the original image of FIG. 10A, and the shape of the bear 22 and the desk 24 is distorted.

FIG. 11A is an example of a flame image (third image including mask information) shown at C3 in FIG. Since the image of the flame is generated by drawing the flame particles as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the outer shape of the flame changes in real time. Thereby, the shapes of the mask area and the non-mask area change in real time.

FIG. 11B is an example of the first composite image shown at C4 in FIG. In this first composite image, FIG.
Since the distortion image of FIG. 11B and the image of the flame of FIG. 11A are translucently synthesized, the face of the bear 22 can be seen faintly in the flame 20.

FIG. 12 is an example of the second composite image shown at C5 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, in the mask area where α = 0, the original image shown in FIG.
In the non-mask area where <α ≦ 1, the composite image of the flame image and the distortion image shown in FIG. 11B is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the surrounding air is heated by the heat of the flame 20, and the density distribution of the air becomes uneven, so that the light passing therethrough is irregularly refracted, and He has succeeded in realistic expression of a heat haze that makes something seem to waver.

3. Next, a detailed example of the processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15.

First, the processing for generating and updating the flame particles described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 8B is performed (step S1 in FIG. 13).

In the process of generating / updating flame particles, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, first, the amount of generated flame particles (light source particles) is determined based on random numbers (step S11). And FIG.
As described in (B) and B1, B2, and B3 in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the generation positions of the flame particles are randomly selected from the generation source region by the generation amount (step S1).
2). Then, the selected generation position becomes the initial position P of each flame particle. It should be noted that the range of the source area changes according to how the flame spreads.

Next, the flame intensity IF of each flame particle
Is determined based on the type X of the generation source such that IF = CONST (X) (step S13). For example, when the source of the flame is a candle, the intensity IF has a relatively small value, and when the source of the flame is a cloth or a desk, the intensity IF has a relatively large value.

Next, based on the determined flame intensity IF,
Velocity V, acceleration A, and life L of each generated flame particle
Initial values of IFE and light intensity I are set (step S1).
4).

For example, the initial value of the speed V (vector) is as follows.

V (VX, VY, VZ) = (0, K0 × IF ² , 0) (3) That is, VX and VZ, which are the X and Z components of the speed V, become 0, and the Y component (upward) VY is proportional to the square of the flame intensity IF. Therefore, a flame particle having a higher flame intensity IF is fired upward at a higher initial velocity.

The initial value of the acceleration A (vector) is given by the following equation.

A (AX, AY, AZ) = (0, K1 + K2 × IF × RANDOM (0, 1), 0) (4) That is, AX and AZ which are the X and Z components of the acceleration A become 0, AY, which is the Y component (upward), increases as the flame intensity IF of the flame particle increases. However, the initial acceleration AY of each flame particle in the Y direction randomly changes with a random number value RANDOM (0, 1) of 0 or more and 1 or less. As a result, the moving state of the flame particles also changes randomly.

The initial value of the life LIFE is given by the following equation.

LIFE = K3 × IF−K4 × RANDOM (0,1) (5) That is, the life LIFE becomes longer as the flame intensity IF of the flame particle increases. In addition, the random value RANDOM
By (0, 1), the life LIFE of each flame particle changes randomly.

The light intensity I is given by the following equation.

I = K5 × IF (6) That is, the light intensity I is the flame intensity I of the flame particle.
The larger the F, the stronger.

Next, for all the flame particles (the flame particles generated in the current frame and the flame particles generated in the past frame), the velocity V, the acceleration A, and the position P (position vector) are updated according to the following equations. (Step S15).

V (VX, VY, VZ) = V (VX, VY, VZ) + A (AX, AY, AZ) A (AX, AY, AZ) = (0, K6 + K7 × I × RANDOM (0, 1)) , 0) P (X, Y, Z) = P (X, Y, Z) + V (VX, VY, VZ) (7) That is, the acceleration AY in the Y direction increases as the light intensity I increases. It changes randomly with.

Next, 1 is subtracted from the life time LIFE for all the flame particles, and the flame particles for which LIFE = 0 are extinguished (step S16).

As described above, the process of generating and updating the flame particles is completed.

Returning to the description of FIG.

Next, as described in C1 of FIG. 9, the original image (first image) other than the flame particles is drawn in the drawing area 1.
(Frame buffer) (Step S in FIG. 13)
2). Then, as described in C2 of FIG. 9, the original image of the drawing area 1 is distorted and copied to the drawing area 2 (step S3). Next, as described in C3, the flame particles generated and updated in step 1 (flame image, mask image)
Is performed in the drawing area 3 (step S4).

In the drawing process of this flame particle, FIG.
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, first, the R, G, B, and α values of all the pixels in the drawing area 3 are cleared to 0 (step S21).

Next, the calculation method of α synthesis (α addition, α subtraction, α blending) is set (step S22).
Here, the color data of the drawing area 3 is added to the color data described in FIG.
If the color data of the D sprite is the α value of the 3D sprite (α
The calculation method is set so that α is added using Y).
In addition, the 3D sprite α value (αY) is set to be written in the pixel data after the calculation. Further, when the value of each color component after the calculation becomes larger than 255, the color component is set to be clamped to 255.

The above setting is realized by writing a given value to a register for instructing a drawing unit (drawing processor) with a command.

Next, the 3D sprite shown in FIG. 5 is drawn at the position P of the flame particle obtained in step S15 in FIG. 14 (step S23).

In this case, the scale of the 3D sprite is
It is set to increase as the light intensity I of the flame particle and the life LIFE increase.

Further, values of 255, 25, and 0 are set for the R, G, and B components of the color of the 3D sprite, respectively. While setting the R, G, and B components to such values,
As described in step S22, the value of each color component is set to 255
Thus, a flame that becomes red near the boundary where the number of flame particles is small and becomes yellow near the center where the number of flame particles is large can be expressed.

The α value (αY) of the 3D sprite is
It becomes the maximum value when flame particles are generated (but LIFE
<K10), and becomes 0 when the life time LIFE = 0.

Returning to the description of FIG.

After the flame particles are drawn in the drawing area 3 as described above, the flame image of the drawing area 3 is translucently synthesized with the distortion image of the drawing area 2 as described in C4 of FIG. A first composite image is generated (Step S5). At this time, the α value included in the flame image (the α value obtained by drawing the flame particles) is written as the α value of the first composite image.

Next, as described with reference to C5 in FIG. 9, drawing is performed by setting the area of α = 0 in the first composite image of the drawing area 2 as a mask area and the area of 0 <α ≦ 1 as a non-mask area. Overwrite the original image of area 1 with the first composite image of drawing area 2,
Generate a second composite image that is a completed image (step S
6). This makes it possible to express a heat haze that occurs around the flame as shown in FIG.

4. Hardware Configuration Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing 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 decompression processor 906 performs a decoding process for decompressing the compressed image data and sound data, and performs a process for accelerating the decoding process of the main processor 900. Thus, a moving image compressed by a given image compression method 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 95.
0, stored in the CD 982, or transferred from the outside via the 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. The drawing processor 910 can also perform α blending (translucent processing), depth queuing, mip mapping, fog processing, trilinear filtering, anti-aliasing, shading processing, and the like. 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 or 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.

[0130] ROM 950 stores system programs 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.

[0132] The DMA controller 970 is a device for controlling the DM 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 to and from 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 bus, or the like. Then, data can be transferred via the Internet by using a communication line. Further, by using the high-speed serial bus, data transfer with another game system becomes possible.

It is to be noted that each means of the present invention may be entirely executed by hardware only, 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 stores a program for executing each means of the present invention using hardware. Will be. More specifically, the program instructs the processors 902, 904, 906, 910, 930, etc., which are hardware, to perform processing, and passes data if necessary. Then, each processor 902, 904, 906, 910,
930 etc., based on the instruction and the passed data,
Each means of the present invention will be executed.

FIG. 17A 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. Information (program or data) for executing each unit of the present invention is stored in a memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.

FIG. 17B 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. 17C shows a host device 1300,
The host device 1300 and the network 1302 (LA
N or a wide area network such as the Internet).
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a system including 4-1 to 1304-n will be described. In this case, the storage information is, for example, a magnetic disk device that can be controlled by the host device 1300,
It is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic tape device and a memory. If the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n are capable of generating a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 outputs the game image and the game sound.
A game program or the like for generating game sounds is transmitted to the terminal 1.
It is delivered to 304-1 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.
1304-n and output at the terminal.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 17C, each means of the present invention may be executed in a distributed manner 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 embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made.

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.

In the present embodiment, the case where the first image is an original image and the second image is an image obtained by applying an image effect to the original image has been described. The first image may be an image obtained by applying an image effect to the original image.

It is particularly desirable that the primitive to be drawn for generating mask information is a particle, but the primitive of the present invention is not limited to a particle.

The display objects generated by drawing primitives are not limited to flames. For example, various display objects whose shapes are deformed in real time, such as fireworks, explosions, lightning, and luminous amoeba, can be expressed.

Although it is desirable that the particles are represented by 3D sprites as shown in FIG. 5, they may be represented by three-dimensional objects, lines, and points.

The method of controlling particles is also shown in FIG.
The present invention is not limited to the methods described with reference to FIGS.

Further, the present invention provides 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 relates to various game systems (image generation systems) such as a business game system, a home game system, a large attraction system in which many players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, and a system board for generating game images. System).

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a method of combining masks of first and second images using mask information generated by drawing primitives.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are examples of game images generated according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are also examples of game images generated according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a method of expressing particles by 3D sprites.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining flame particles. FIG.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining flame particles. FIG.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for describing flame particles. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a method of generating mask information based on the α value of a flame particle.

FIG. 10A is an example of an original image, and FIG.
(B) is an example of a distorted image.

FIG. 11A is an example of a flame image, and FIG.
(B) is an example of the first composite image.

FIG. 12 is an example of a second composite image that is a final image.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed processing example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed processing example of the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed processing example of the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C are diagrams showing examples of various types of systems to which the present embodiment is applied; FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FP flame particle VP viewpoint 100 processing unit 110 game processing unit 112 movement / motion calculation unit 130 image generation unit 132 particle processing unit 134 geometry processing unit 140 drawing unit 142 mask information generation unit 144 synthesis unit 150 sound generation unit 160 operation unit 170 storage Unit 172 Main memory 174 Frame buffer 180 Information storage medium 190 Display unit 192 Sound output unit 194 Portable information storage device 196 Communication unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A game system for generating an image, wherein one or more primitives are drawn in a given drawing area to generate mask information in which the shape of a mask area or a non-mask area changes in real time. A game system comprising: means for combining a first image and a second image by mask using the generated mask information. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second images is an original image, and the other of the first and second images is an image obtained by applying an image effect to the original image. A game system, comprising: 3. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the primitive drawn in the drawing area is a particle that is sequentially generated, moved, and disappears with the passage of time. 4. The game system according to claim 3, further comprising means for randomly changing at least one of the amount, position, moving state, and life of the particles. 5. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the mask information is generated based on an α value of the primitive drawn in the drawing area. 6. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the synthesizing unit synthesizes the second image and a third image generated by drawing the primitive in the drawing area. Generating a first composite image including the mask information, and performing mask composition of the first composite image and the first image using the mask information included in the first composite image;
A game system for generating a second composite image. 7. An information storage medium usable by a computer, wherein mask information in which a shape of a mask region or a non-mask region changes in real time by drawing one or a plurality of primitives in a given drawing region is provided. An information storage medium, comprising: a program for executing: a generating unit; and a combining unit configured to perform mask combining of the first and second images using the generated mask information. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein one of the first and second images is an original image, and the other of the first and second images is an image obtained by applying an image effect to the original image. An information storage medium characterized by the following. 9. The information storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the primitive drawn in the drawing area is a particle that is sequentially generated, moved, and disappears as time elapses. 10. The information storage medium according to claim 9, further comprising a program for executing means for randomly changing at least one of an amount, a position, a moving state, and a life of the particles. 11. The information storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the mask information is generated based on an α value of the primitive drawn in the drawing area. 12. The image processing device according to claim 7, wherein the synthesizing unit synthesizes the second image and a third image generated by drawing the primitive in the drawing area. Generating a first composite image including the mask information, and performing mask composition of the first composite image and the first image using the mask information included in the first composite image;
An information storage medium for generating a second composite image.