JP2001291120A - Image generation system and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a data amount related to the same object in an object space and to obtain a high quality image. SOLUTION: A model image generating part 142 renders an object model placed in a model space and reflects an image of rendering results on a virtual object, and a model image arranging part 134 subsequently arranges the virtual object within the object space instead of the object model. A game image generating part 144 generates an image obtained by looking at the object space from a given viewpoint, and the image is displayed on a displaying part 190.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image generation system for generating an image at a given viewpoint in an object space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In 3D computer graphics (hereinafter, referred to as CG), when an object (for example, a tree) having the same shape is repeatedly displayed, if the object is directly arranged in an object space, CG is used.
To increase the amount of data, the following method has been adopted. In other words, this is a method in which a model for the object is created in advance, and the model is arranged in the object space only when the model is actually displayed.

Further, as a method of further reducing the amount of CG data, a method of reducing the number of polygons in a model or a method of mapping a single polygon as a texture instead of a model, and always pointing the polygon in the direction of the viewpoint. A method of expressing an object in a pseudo manner has been realized and put into practical use.

[0004]

However, in the method of arranging a plurality of the same models, the total number of polygons increases in proportion to the number of models, so that the drawing load becomes extremely large. On the other hand, in the method of reducing the number of polygons, the drawing speed is improved, but the image lacks in definition. In the method of turning one polygon in the viewpoint direction, the mapped texture does not change. However, when the image is viewed with attention, the image becomes uncomfortable because the display target always faces this direction.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of data relating to the same object in the object space and obtain a high-quality image.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an image generation for generating an image at a given viewpoint in an object space (for example, a world viewpoint in the embodiment). In the system, a rendering unit for rendering a given object model (for example, the model image generation unit 142 in FIG. 2), and a virtual body (for example, FIG. 1) reflecting an image of a rendering result by the rendering unit (C) an arrangement means for arranging the texture 134a mapped to one polygon in the object space instead of the given object model (for example, the model image arrangement unit 134 in FIG. 2); It is characterized by having.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information storage medium storing information for generating an image at a given viewpoint in an object space, the information storage medium comprising: Information on a given virtual body, rendering information for rendering the given object model, and an image rendered as a result of the rendering information are reflected on the given virtual body, and the given object is And arrangement information for arranging the virtual object, instead of the model.

[0008] Here, the virtual body may be a plane formed of one polygon or a cylindrical rotating body. In addition, in the reflection to the virtual body, various techniques such as parameterized texture mapping, projection mapping, and replacement mapping are included in addition to simple mapping.

According to the first or ninth aspect of the present invention, for example, when the object model is a model composed of 1000 polygons and the virtual body is a plane composed of one polygon, only one polygon data is stored in the object space. A 1000-polygon model image can be obtained by the drawing calculation processing relating to the capacity or one polygon. Therefore, when it is necessary to arrange a plurality of the same object models, it is possible to greatly reduce the capacity of image data and the amount of processing related to rendering calculation processing, and reduce the processing load related to image generation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image generation system according to the first aspect, the rendering means includes a viewpoint position or a viewpoint direction of the given viewpoint and an arrangement of the virtual body. The viewpoint to be rendered (for example, the model viewpoint in the present embodiment) may be changed based on the position.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information storage medium according to the ninth aspect, the rendering information includes a viewpoint position or a viewpoint direction of the given viewpoint,
The information may include information for changing a rendering viewpoint based on the arrangement position of the given virtual body.

According to the second or tenth aspect of the present invention, even when the viewpoint position or viewpoint direction of a given viewpoint changes in the object space, the viewpoint to be rendered is changed according to the change. Therefore, a consistent image can be obtained. Specifically, in the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, even when the viewpoint tumbles, an image similar to the movement of the viewpoint with respect to the actual object model can be obtained. it can.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image generating system according to the first or second aspect, the arranging means places the image of the rendering result on a surface facing the given viewpoint. By mapping, the image may be reflected in the virtual body.

In the information storage medium according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the arrangement information includes the image of the rendering result on a surface facing the given viewpoint. It may include information for mapping.

Here, the mapping is intended to include the various mapping methods described throughout this specification.

According to the third or eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the image is mapped on the opposing surface of the virtual body, the image always faces the given viewpoint.
It is possible to avoid a distorted image that can be seen from an oblique direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image generation system according to the first or second aspect, the virtual body may be configured as a rotating body.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the virtual body is a rotating body, the reduction rate of the amount of image data is reduced as compared with the case of a plane or the like. Can be obtained as a more three-dimensional image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image generating system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the arranging means is configured to determine a position of a given viewpoint in the object space. The angle of the virtual body with respect to the given viewpoint may be changed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, the surface on which the image of the virtual object is reflected is always directed to a given viewpoint, thereby preventing a distorted image that can be seen obliquely. be able to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image generating system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the rendering means includes an angle adjusting unit which centers the given object model. Rendering at different viewpoints, the arranging means, among the images of the rendering results of different viewpoint angles by the rendering means,
The image to be reflected on the virtual body may be determined based on a viewpoint direction of a given viewpoint in the object space and an arrangement position of the virtual body.

According to the invention of claim 6, for example, when a given viewpoint in the object space pans or the like, the object model should not actually rotate, but the present invention is applied. Thereby, the disadvantage that the image of the object model is rotated can be compensated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image generation system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the arranging means is configured to determine the position of the virtual object based on the position information. The luminance of the image of the rendering result reflected on the virtual body may be changed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, for example, by changing the brightness of a virtual object in front of a given viewpoint, the brightness of the virtual object on the near side is changed to be darker. You can express the perspective more realistically,
By reflecting the light source in the object space on the virtual body, it is possible to obtain an effect related to the light source close to the actual object model.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image generating system according to the seventh aspect, the arranging means may change the luminance of the rendering result image by bump mapping.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, even when the surface of the virtual body is flat, not only the luminance of the entire surface is changed but also a surface having various characteristics can be expressed. It is possible to perform more realistic luminance change reflecting the light source.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, a plurality of objects arranged in the object space are illustrated and described as “trees”, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to objects other than “trees”.
Further, a case where the present invention is applied to a game image generation system will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

First, the principle of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. In the present invention, first, an object space and a model space are prepared. The object space is a space that is realized in a conventional CG and includes a terrain on which various objects are arranged, and from a given viewpoint (hereinafter, a viewpoint in this object space is referred to as a world viewpoint). By rendering the object space, the final image is generated. The model space is a space for rendering one object model that needs to be arranged in the object space from a given viewpoint (hereinafter, a viewpoint in this model space is referred to as a model viewpoint).

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a "tree" object model 186a placed in a model space.
FIG. 1B shows an image 14 obtained by rendering the object model 186a using the model viewpoint 120a.
It is a figure which shows the state obtained as 2a. FIG. 1 (c)
Maps and duplicates the image 142a of FIG. 1B as a texture 134a onto one polygon and directs it toward a world viewpoint (not shown) in the front of the figure (hereinafter, the angle of the texture with respect to this world viewpoint is referred to as the model arrangement angle FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where the objects are arranged in an object space.

Therefore, the image of the object model viewed from the model viewpoint is used as a texture, and a copy of the image is placed in the object space. (The position where the texture is placed instead of the object model is hereinafter referred to as a model placement position.) ) Is done. Therefore, even if the object model is 1000 polygons, it is arranged as a texture of one polygon in the object space. That is, a fine object model can be obtained with only one polygon in the object space.

In the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, a polygon in which a model image is mapped as a texture will be described simply as a "texture".

FIG. 2 shows an example of a block diagram of the present embodiment. In this figure, the present embodiment only needs to include at least the processing unit 100 (or the processing unit 100 and the information storage medium 180), and the other blocks (for example, the operation unit 16)
0, display unit 190) can be any component.

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

The operation section 160 is for the 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 (machine-readable storage medium) 180 stores information such as programs and data, and functions as an optical disk (CD, DV).
D), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or hardware such as a memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 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.
It can be realized by hardware such as an LCD, a plasma display, a liquid crystal plasma display, a projector, or an HMD (head mounted display).

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 94, 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 operation section 110,
It includes an image generation unit 140 and a sound generation unit 150.

The game calculation unit 110 receives coins (price), sets various modes, progresses the game,
Selection screen setting processing, processing for obtaining the position and angle of an object based on the object data 184, processing for operating the object, processing for obtaining the position and viewpoint of the viewpoint, processing for arranging the object in the object space, hit check processing Game results (scores, grades, etc.)
, A process for a plurality of players to play in a common game space, or various game processes such as a game over process, by using the operation data input from the operation unit 160 or the portable information storage device 194. This is performed based on the stored personal data, stored data, game program 182, and the like.

The game calculation section 110 includes a model space setting section 120 and an object space setting section 130. The model space setting unit 120 sets a model space based on the object model and the model viewpoint based on the model data 186. Based on the viewpoint position of the world viewpoint in the object space and the viewpoint direction, the model space setting unit 120 sets the model viewpoint. Change the viewpoint position and viewpoint direction of.

The object space setting unit 130 is input from the model position determining unit 132 for determining the distance and angle from the world viewpoint to the model arrangement position, the model arrangement angle with respect to the world viewpoint direction, and the like, and the image generation unit 140. It has a model image arranging section 134 for arranging the texture in place of the object model in the direction facing the world viewpoint, using the image as a texture.

The image generation section 140 is provided with a game operation section 110
Performs various types of image processing in accordance with instructions from the user, and generates a viewable image from the model viewpoint in the model space and outputs the image to the object space setting unit 130, and a view from the world viewpoint in the object space. A game image generation unit 144 that generates an image and outputs the generated image to the display unit 190.

Here, a feature of this embodiment, that the model viewpoint is controlled in conjunction with the world viewpoint, will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation related to image generation during one frame in which a game image is generated.

First, the distance and angle from the world viewpoint to the model arrangement position in the object space are determined by the model position determination unit 132 (step S).
1). Next, based on the determination result, the model space setting unit 120 sets the position of the model viewpoint in the model space,
The model direction is set by changing the viewpoint direction (step S2). That is, a process of replacing the relationship between the world viewpoint and the model arrangement position in the object space with the model space is performed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the world viewpoint 130a tumbles around the model arrangement position (moves from position (A) to position (B)) in the object space. In this case, first, the model position determination unit 132 determines the tumble angle θ based on the position between the world viewpoint and the model arrangement position (actually, based on the coordinate values in the object space, the model is determined from the world viewpoint. It can be obtained in the position direction up to the arrangement position.) Next, the model space setting unit 120 sets the world viewpoint 130a to the same angle as the tumbled angle θ.
Tumble the model viewpoint in the model space. FIG.
Is a diagram showing a tumble of a model viewpoint 120a in a model space.

Next, based on the changed model viewpoint 120a, the model image generator 142 renders the object model and generates a model image (step S3). Here, in FIG.
It can be understood that the image 142a obtained by rendering dynamically changes due to the tumble.

Next, when the generated model image is output to the model image arranging unit 134, the model image arranging unit 13
4 uses the model image as a texture (step S
4) The object is arranged on the object space in a direction facing the world viewpoint (step S5).

For this reason, the game image is finally generated by the game image generating section 144 (step S).
6) In the image at this time, the "tree" as the object model is obtained as an image viewed from the side as shown in FIG.

As described above, in the object space, the texture is arranged instead of the object model. However, since the model viewpoint in the model space is changed in conjunction with the world viewpoint, the texture in the object space is changed. Will be arranged with a consistent image.

In step S6, the game image generation unit 144 may change the luminance of the placed texture according to the distance between the world viewpoint and the model placement position. For example, by changing the luminance to be brighter for the texture in front of the world viewpoint and darker for the texture on the far side, the perspective can be expressed more realistically. Various lighting (light source) processing may be performed by performing bump mapping or the like on the texture. Since the texture to be arranged is actually one polygon, when the brightness is changed, the brightness of the entire texture is changed. However, by performing bump mapping, the brightness is changed to one polygon. Thus, a more realistic image reflecting the light source can be obtained.

When the above method is attempted, the following two problems occur. The first problem is that, when there are a plurality of model arrangement positions, which model arrangement position is used as a reference, that is, the world viewpoint moves in the object space. The question is whether to set the model space based on the relationship with the world viewpoint. However, considering that an image viewed from the world viewpoint is finally generated as a game image, one representative point is selected from among the model arrangement positions within the world viewpoint field of view, and this representative point and the world viewpoint are selected. The problem is solved by using the relationship as a reference. Note that the selection of the representative point may be performed by selecting a model arrangement position farthest from the world viewpoint within the visual field range, or a model arrangement position in the vicinity may be set as the representative point.

The second problem is a problem generated by the method of determining the angle between the world viewpoint and the model arrangement position.
The following describes a case where the world viewpoint pans, where the problem appears most noticeably. As shown in FIG. 7, when the world viewpoint 130a pans, the world viewpoint 130a and the model arrangement position face each other before the panning.
After the panning, since the viewpoint direction has changed, an angle difference θ1 occurs between the viewpoint direction and the model arrangement position direction. According to the angle difference θ1, the model space setting unit 120
However, if the model viewpoint is tumbled as shown in FIG. 5, the result is that the “tree” in the object space in FIG. 7 rotates even though the position of the world viewpoint 130a has not changed.

As means for solving this problem, two methods can be considered. One is a method of determining the angle based on the position direction between the world viewpoint and the model arrangement position, not based on the viewpoint direction of the world viewpoint, but based on a coordinate system in the object space. In this case, if the position of the world viewpoint does not change, the model viewpoint in the model space does not change, so that a consistent image can be obtained.

Another method is as follows in model space:
Instead of generating an image from one model viewpoint, an image is generated from a plurality of viewpoint positions, and an image to be used as a texture is determined according to the viewpoint direction of the world viewpoint. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the model viewpoint 120a is moved up, down, left, and right by a given position in the model space, and an image of the object model 186a at each position is rendered. Then, when the viewpoint direction of the world viewpoint in the object space changes, an image to be used is determined from among a plurality of images obtained by rendering. Thereby, even if the viewpoint direction of the world viewpoint changes, it is possible to prevent the model from rotating.

In FIG. 2, a sound generation unit 150, which is another functional unit of the processing unit 100, performs various types of sound processing according to an instruction from the game processing unit 110, and performs BGM,
A sound such as a sound effect or voice is generated and output to the sound output unit 192.

The functions of the game operation unit 110, the image generation unit 140, and the sound generation unit 150 described above may be entirely realized by hardware, or may be entirely realized by a program. Alternatively, it may be realized by both hardware and a program.

The image generation system according to the present embodiment
A system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play may be provided, or a system having a multi-player mode in which a plurality of players can play in addition to such a single player mode 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.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The main processor 900 has a CD (DV
D) a program stored in 982 (information storage medium),
It operates based on a program transferred via the communication interface 990 or a program stored in the ROM 950 (one of information storage media), and performs game processing,
Various processes such as image processing and 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 process such as a matrix operation is required for a physical simulation for moving or moving an object (motion), a program operating on the main processor 900 sends the process to the coprocessor 902. Instruct (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 computation, and performs matrix computation (vector computation). 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. 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 in a CD (DVD) 982 or transferred from the 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, etc. 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 provided between the processor and the memory (RAM, VRAM, ROM, etc.).
A transfer is controlled.

The CD / DVD drive 980 is a CD in which programs, image data, sound data, etc. are stored.
(DVD) 982 (information storage medium) to access these programs and data.

The communication interface 990 is an interface for performing data transfer with the outside via a network. In this case, as a network connected to the communication interface 990, a communication line (an analog telephone line, an ISDN, a cable TV line), a high-speed serial bus, or the like can be considered. Then, data can be transferred via the Internet by using a communication line. Further, by using the high-speed serial bus, data transfer between another image generation system and another game system becomes possible.

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

When each unit of the present invention is executed by both hardware and a program, information (program, program, etc.) for executing each unit of the present invention using hardware is stored in the information storage medium. Data) will be stored. More specifically, the program is executed by each of the processors 902, 904, 906, and 9 as hardware.
The processing is instructed to 10, 930, etc., and data is passed if necessary. Then, each processor 902, 904,
906, 910, 930, etc. execute the respective means of the present invention based on the instruction and the passed data.

FIG. 10A 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. The information (program, data) for executing each means of the present invention is stored in the system board 1.
It is stored in a memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on 106. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.

FIG. 10B 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 stored information is stored in a CD (DVD) 1 which is an information storage medium detachable from the main system.
206 or a memory card 1208, 1209, or the like.

FIG. 10C shows a host device 1300,
The host device 1300 and the network 1302 (LA
N 1304 connected via a small network such as N or a wide area network such as the Internet).
An example in the case where the present embodiment is applied to a system including -1 to 1304-n will be described. In this case, the stored information is, for example, 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.
Is stored in Terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n
However, when a game image and a game sound can be generated stand-alone, a game program and the like for generating a game image and a game sound are distributed from the host device 1300 to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. You.
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-n to output them.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 10C, 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 is stored in a host device (server).
May be stored separately in the information storage medium of the terminal and the information storage medium of the 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, the portable information storage device is capable of exchanging information with the arcade game system and exchanging information with the home game system. (A memory card, a portable game device) may be used.

The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the case where the world viewpoint or the model viewpoint is moved in the left-right direction has been mainly described, but the above-described method can be applied to the case where the viewpoint is moved in the up-down direction.

Further, the model space has been described as being generated independently of the object space. However, the model space may be set in the object space. That is, a model image is obtained by arranging one object model at a representative point in the object space and rendering only this object model from the world viewpoint. Then, a textured model image may be arranged at a model arrangement position other than the representative point. Even in this case, an image similar to the image obtained by rendering from the model viewpoint in the model space can be obtained.

In the above description, the model image is mapped to one polygon as a texture, and the texture (actually, one polygon) is arranged in the object space. However, the object to be mapped is composed of one polygon. It need not be flat. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, mapping to a cylindrical rotating body may be performed, and the rotating body may be arranged in the object space. In this case, since the object is a rotating body, the model can be expressed more realistically than the plane formed by one polygon.

Further, the same light source as in the object space may be arranged at the same position in the model space. In that case, it is possible to obtain the same effect on the light source as in the case where the object model is actually arranged in the object space.

Finally, an actual image obtained by applying the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an image obtained by changing the position of a model viewpoint in a model space, using an object model as a motorcycle,
(A) is an image rendered from the front, and (b) and (c) are images rendered from an oblique direction.

FIG. 13 shows the image of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where the polygons are mapped to two polygons and arranged at a model arrangement position in an object space. Similarly,
14 shows the image of FIG. 12B, and FIG. 15 shows the image of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where the polygons are arranged on an object space using the image of FIG. As described above, by applying the present invention, it is possible to obtain a fine image in the object space even though it is one polygon.

[0088]

According to the present invention, for example, when the object model is a model consisting of 1000 polygons and the virtual body is a plane consisting of one polygon, the data capacity of only one polygon or one
A 1000-polygon model image can be obtained by the drawing calculation process for polygons. Therefore, when it is necessary to arrange a plurality of the same object models, the plane of one polygon may be arranged, so that the capacity of the image data and the processing amount related to the drawing operation can be significantly reduced. Further, with the reduction in the amount of image data, it is possible to speed up the processing related to image generation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a block diagram of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation related to image generation during one frame in which a game image is generated.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between an object space and a model space.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between an object space and a model space.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between an object space and a model space.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between an object space and a model space.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating generation of an image from a plurality of viewpoints in a model space.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a system in various modes to which the present embodiment is applied.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a virtual body for mapping a model image is a rotating body.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of an actual image obtained by applying the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an actual image obtained by applying the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an actual image obtained by applying the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an actual image obtained by applying the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 processing unit 110 game calculation unit 120 model space setting unit 130 object space setting unit 132 model position determination unit 134 model image placement unit 140 image generation unit 142 model image generation unit 144 game image generation unit 180 information storage medium 182 game program 184 object Data 186 Model data

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image generation system for generating an image at a given viewpoint in an object space, comprising: rendering means for rendering a given object model; and reflecting an image of a rendering result by the rendering means. And an arrangement unit for arranging the virtual object in the object space instead of the given object model. 2. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the rendering unit is configured to determine, based on a viewpoint position or a viewpoint direction of the given viewpoint and an arrangement position of the virtual body.
An image generation system characterized by changing a rendering viewpoint. 3. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the arranging unit maps the rendering result image on a surface facing the given viewpoint, thereby mapping the rendering result on the virtual body. An image generation system characterized by reflecting an image. 4. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the virtual body is a rotating body. 5. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the arranging unit is configured to determine the virtual object for the given viewpoint based on a position of the given viewpoint in the object space. An image generation system characterized by changing the angle of the image. 6. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein said rendering means performs rendering at different viewpoints centered on said given object model, and said arranging means. Of the rendering result images having different viewpoint angles by the rendering means, based on the viewpoint direction of a given viewpoint in the object space and the arrangement position of the virtual body in the object space. An image generation system characterized by determining. 7. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the layout unit reflects the rendering result on the virtual body based on positional information for arranging the virtual body. An image generation system characterized by changing the luminance of an image. 8. The image generating system according to claim 7, wherein said arranging means changes the luminance of the rendered image by bump mapping. 9. An information storage medium storing information for generating an image at a given viewpoint in an object space, comprising: information relating to a given object model; and information relating to a given virtual body. And rendering information for rendering the given object model; and an image rendered as a result of the rendering information is reflected on the given virtual body, and instead of the given object model, An information storage medium, comprising: placement information for locating. 10. The information storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the rendering information is rendered based on a viewpoint position or a viewpoint direction of the given viewpoint and an arrangement position of the given virtual body. An information storage medium including information for changing a viewpoint to be read. 11. The information storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the arrangement information includes information for mapping the image of the rendering result on a surface facing the given viewpoint. Information storage medium.