JP2003256863A - Image generation information, information storing medium and image generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for generating an image in a real time for much more quickly generating an image including a body of revolution, and for smoothly expressing the surface of the body of revolution. <P>SOLUTION: A model of the same shape as a part 20' of a sphere 20 configured of a complete polygon model is set as a segment object 22. In the same way, a plurality of segment objects are set by the model of the same shape as a part of the sphere 20. Then, the plurality of segment objects are quickly rotated around the same central point with a turning radius R whose length is the same as that of a radius R of the sphere 20. Furthermore, a static image including the quickly revolving segment objects is periodically generated, and periodically displayed at a display so that the pseudo expression of the sphere can be realized by using the illusion of the eyes of an observer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image generation information for generating an image for pseudo representation of a rotating body, an information storage medium for storing the image generation information, and an image for representing the rotating body. The present invention relates to an image generation device that generates

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many game devices have been developed in which a game image is generated in real time in response to an operation input by a player and sequentially displayed on a display. In such a game device, the player enjoys the game by inputting various selections and instructions using the game controller while watching the game image displayed on the display. On the other hand, the game apparatus body executes a game operation in response to a signal input from the game controller and generates a game image for each frame (1/60 seconds).

In a game realized by this type of game device, various polygon models and the like are arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space, and the position, motion, shape, etc. of each polygon model are displayed in response to an input instruction from the player. There is a type of developing a game by controlling and generating / displaying an image of the virtual space.

Here, the polygon model is a figure in which an object such as a person, a car, or a robot is configured by connecting a plurality of triangular or quadrilateral planes called polygons.

When a game image is generated, the position of a virtual camera (hereinafter referred to as a viewpoint) is set in the virtual space,
An image of the virtual space is generated by drawing each of the polygon models seen from the viewpoint. At this time, the coordinates of the vertices of each polygon are determined, the appearance and size of each polygon from the viewpoint are determined, and the positional relationship of each polygon is determined and rendered. For example, when a plurality of polygons are overlapped in the depth direction when viewed from the viewpoint, in principle, the polygon located in the back is drawn so as to be hidden by the polygon located in the front.

[0006]

In a game using the above three-dimensional virtual space, it is sometimes desired to represent a rounded symmetrical object (rotating body) such as a sphere or a cylinder. For example, there is a case where the rotating body is used as an object (object) arranged in the virtual space, or the rotating body is desired to be used as an effect for making the development of the game more impressive.

When an object having a rounded shape is constructed by the polygon model described above, many polygons are required to represent the surface more smoothly. This is because, if the number of polygons that are configured is small, the joints between the polygons will be exposed, and the impression of curved surfaces will be significantly impaired.

However, as the number of polygons increases, the load of image generation processing such as the processing for determining the position and orientation of each polygon and the processing for determining the positional relationship increases, which may delay the generation speed of game images. There is.

Therefore, conventionally, when expressing a rotating body, for example, a method of simply expressing other polygon models and canceling the delay of the image generation processing speed has been used. However, this method has the drawback that other polygon models are coarsely represented.

Alternatively, when a sphere is represented, a sphere may be represented by mapping a texture reminiscent of a sphere onto a circular plane object. However, according to such a method, there is a drawback that the appearance of the sphere does not change regardless of where it is viewed from the virtual space, resulting in a lack of stereoscopic effect.

In addition to the rotating body, when drawing an object having a large surface area compared to other objects arranged in the virtual space, there is a risk of delaying the image generation speed. For example,
Even when drawing one polygon, it is necessary to determine the positional relationship with other polygons for each pixel to be drawn. Therefore, if the area of the polygon is large, there is a high possibility that the polygon overlaps with other polygons in the depth direction, and there is a high possibility that the polygon becomes a delay factor in the image processing.

An object of the present invention is to more quickly generate an image including a rotating body and an object having a large surface area in an apparatus for generating an image in real time, and to smoothly express the surface of these objects.

[0013]

The image generation information (for example, game information 410 shown in FIG. 10) according to claim 1 is:
A center determining means (for example, a rotation control unit 114 shown in FIG. 10) that determines a center position in a virtual space with respect to a device (for example, the game device 1 shown in FIG. 1) including the processor by calculation and control by the processor. Step S16) of the rotation control process of FIG. 15 and rotation means for rotating the fragment object at a given radius of rotation around the center position determined by the center determination means in the virtual space (for example, in FIG. 10). Rotation control unit 114 shown; FIG.
16), and a still image of the fragment object rotated by the rotating means, to generate an image representing the rotating body (for example, the image generating unit 120 shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 16). Pseudo sphere drawing process of
It is a feature that it is information for operating the.

An image generating apparatus according to claim 19 (for example, the game apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1) is a center determining means for determining a center position in a virtual space (for example, a rotation control section 114 shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 15). Of the rotation control process of step S16)
And a rotation unit that rotates the fragment object with a given radius of rotation about the center position determined by the center determination unit in the virtual space (for example, the rotation control unit 114 shown in FIG. 10; the rotation control shown in FIG. 15). 16) and an image generating unit representing the rotating body (for example, the image generating unit 120 shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 16).
(Pseudo-sphere drawing process of)).

The term "rotating body" generally means a solid body formed by rotating a plane figure once around a straight line on the plane figure as an axis. Here, not only such a homogeneous three-dimensional shape but also a hollow body is used. Also includes.

According to the invention of claim 1 or 19, the fragment object is rotated about a given center position, and a still image including the fragment object is periodically generated. Therefore, if the generated still images are sequentially displayed on a regular basis, the rotating body can be simulated by the illusion of the eyes of the person who views the moving image. That is, in a single still image generation process, it is sufficient to draw each fragment object, and it is possible to draw more quickly than in the case where the entire shape of the rotating body is defined by the polygon model. In addition, since the fragment object is constantly rotating, it is possible for a viewer of the moving image to perceive it as if the surface of the rotating body is smooth.

In this case, if a plurality of fragment objects are rotated, the rotating body to be represented can be represented more likely. Therefore, the rotating body is claimed in claim 2.
The image generation information according to claim 1, wherein the rotating unit rotates the plurality of fragment objects at a given radius of rotation about the center position. It may include information for causing the device to function.

According to the invention of claim 22,
In the image generating apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect, the rotating means may rotate the plurality of fragment objects with a given radius of rotation about the center position.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 3, in the image generation information according to claim 2, the rotating means rotates the plurality of fragment objects with the same radius of rotation around the center position. Information may be included to cause the device to function.

According to the invention of claim 23,
In the image generating apparatus according to the twenty-second aspect, the rotating means may rotate the plurality of fragment objects about the center position with the same radius of rotation.

According to the invention of claim 3 or 23, the plurality of fragment objects are rotated at the same radius of rotation. Therefore, it is possible to more clearly express the contour of the rotating body to be expressed, as compared with the case where a plurality of fragment objects are rotated with different turning radii.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the image generation information of claim 2, the rotating means rotates the plurality of fragment objects at a first rotation radius. The at least two fragment object groups of the fragment object group and the second fragment object group rotated by the second rotation radius are divided into at least two fragment object groups, and the individual fragment objects are simultaneously rotated about the central position, It may include information for causing the device to function.

According to the invention of claim 24,
The image generating apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the rotating unit rotates the plurality of fragment objects with a first fragment object group that rotates with a first radius of rotation and a second fragment object group that rotates with a second radius of rotation. The fragment object group and at least two fragment object groups may be divided and the individual fragment objects may be simultaneously rotated around the center position.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 4 or 24, the plurality of fragment objects are divided into those rotating at least at the first radius of rotation and those rotating at the second radius of rotation. That is, the rotating body is represented by at least two layers of a fragment object group that rotates at the first radius of rotation and a fragment object group that rotates at the second radius of rotation. In this way, by expressing the rotating body with a heavy structure, the outline can be clearly expressed compared to the case where individual fragment objects are rotated with different rotation radii, and compared with the case where they are all rotated with the same rotation radius. Then, it becomes possible to express it with some blurring.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, center determination means for determining a center position in a virtual space for a device equipped with the processor by calculation / control by the processor, and the center determination for a fragment object. Setting means for setting an ellipse centered on the center position determined by the means as a unique trajectory, rotation means for rotating the fragment object on the trajectory set by the setting means, and rotation by the rotation means It is characterized in that it is information for causing the image generating means representing the rotating body to function by periodically generating a still image of the fragment object.

According to the invention described in claim 5, an ellipse centered on a given center position is set for the fragment object, and the ellipse is rotated as a trajectory. Therefore, for example, by rotating one fragment object, an elliptical ring can be represented in a pseudo manner, and an image can be generated more quickly than in the case where the ring is configured by a polygon model. It will be possible.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 6, the image generation information according to claim 1, wherein the setting means sets the center determining means for each of the plurality of fragment objects. An ellipse centered on the center position determined by is set as a trajectory, information for causing the device to function as described above, and the rotation means, the plurality of fragment objects on the trajectory set by the setting means. Information for causing the device to rotate so as to rotate.

According to the invention of claim 6, an elliptical trajectory is set for each of the plurality of fragment objects. Therefore, for example, for each of the fragment objects, by setting the contour line of an arbitrary cross section passing through the center point of the predetermined ellipsoid as the trajectory, and rotating each fragment object on the trajectory, The predetermined ellipsoid can be represented in a pseudo manner. Alternatively, by setting an axis as a center position in the virtual space and determining an elliptical orbit traversing the axis related to each fragment object, a column or a cone can be represented in a pseudo manner. .

Further, as in the invention described in claim 7, in the image generation information described in any one of claims 2 to 4 and 6, rotation is performed for each of the fragment objects. Condition setting means for determining the angular velocity, the rotation direction, and the initial position (for example, the rotation condition setting unit 112 shown in FIG. 10).
May include information for operating the device.

According to the invention of claim 25,
The image generation device according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein condition setting means for determining a rotation angular velocity, a rotation direction, and an initial position for each of the plurality of fragment objects (for example, in FIG. 10). The rotation condition setting unit 112 shown)
May be provided.

According to the invention of claim 7 or 25, the rotational angular velocity, the rotational direction, and the initial position of each fragment object are set separately. In other words, the individual fragment objects rotate in different directions at different speeds. Therefore, it becomes difficult to find out the rotation mode of each fragment object, the illusion of the viewer is promoted, and a smoother rotating body can be expressed.

Although various shapes can be considered as the rotating body, for example, a sphere or an ellipsoid may be represented by rotating a plurality of fragment objects. That is, as in the invention described in claim 8, in the image generation information according to claim 7, the center determining unit determines one point in the virtual space as the center position, and the condition setting unit, Information for causing the device to function so as to set an arbitrary rotation direction around the center position for each piece object may be included.

In this case, the shape of each fragment object may be configured as a part of a sphere to be represented.
That is, as in the invention described in claim 9, in the image generation information according to claim 8, the device is configured such that the shape of the fragment object is a shape of a part of a spherical surface having a given radius. It is also possible to include the information for making it function. For example, when representing a sphere in a pseudo manner, the shape of the fragment object may be set as a shape of a part of a spherical surface having the same radius as the radius of rotation of the fragment object.

Alternatively, for example, a column or a cone may be expressed as the rotating body. That is, like the invention described in claim 10, in the image generation information according to claim 7, the center determining means determines a straight line or a line segment in the virtual space as the center position, and the condition setting means. May include information for causing the device to function such that a rotation direction about the center position is set for each piece object.

In this case, the shape of the fragment object may be formed as a part of the cylinder to be represented. That is, as in the invention described in claim 11, in the image generation information according to claim 10, the shape of the fragment object is a shape of a part of a cylindrical side surface having a given radius. It may include information for causing the device to function. For example, when a pseudo cylinder is represented, the shape of the fragment object may be set as a part of the side surface of the cylinder having the same radius as the radius of rotation of the fragment object.

By the way, there are cases where it is desired to represent the rotating body semitransparently. In this case, as a generally well-known drawing method, transparency (α value) is set separately from the color information of the object.
Is stored and the color information of the object is combined with the color information of the background based on the transparency to express the transparency of the object (called α blend). However, in this method, the transparency must be stored in addition to the color information, and the memory capacity is required accordingly.

Therefore, as in the invention described in claim 12, in the image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the image generation means sets the gray value of the color of the fragment object to the fragment object. It is also possible to include information for causing the device to function so as to generate an image of the fragment object by subtracting from the gray value of the background color.

Alternatively, as in the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image generation information according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the image generation means sets the gray value of the color of the fragment object to the fragment object. It is also possible to include information for causing the device to function so as to draw the fragment object by adding it to the gray value of the background color.

According to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the fragment object is drawn by subtracting or adding the color gradation value of the fragment object from the background color gradation value. According to such a drawing method, it is possible to represent the fragment object semitransparently without storing the α value (transparency) separately from the color information.

In the α-blend, there is a base color (pattern) of an object which is desired to be semi-transparent, and since such a color and a background color are combined and expressed, any such object in the virtual space can be expressed. Even when placed in, the color of the base is expressed. However, if the drawing method according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect is used, the tint of the rotating body also changes in accordance with the tint of the background on which the fragment object is arranged. Therefore, by using the present invention, for example, in a game or the like, it is possible to express an effect (effect effect) in which the tint changes according to the environment.

According to the invention described in claim 14,
5. The image generation information according to claim 4, wherein the image generation means subtracts the color shading value of the fragment object belonging to the first fragment object group from the shading value of the background color of the fragment object, Includes information for causing the device to function to generate an image of the fragment object by adding the gray value of the color of the fragment object belonging to the second fragment object group to the density value of the color of the background of the fragment object. It may be that.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when the rotating body is expressed by the overlapping structure as in the fourth aspect of the invention, the first fragment object group is drawn by the subtraction method and the second fragment object group is drawn. The fragment object of is drawn by the addition method. In this way, by changing the drawing method for each layer, it is possible to represent the rotating body with a complicated pattern and to express a rotating body having a more three-dimensional effect.

According to the invention described in claim 15,
The image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 14 may include information for blurring the peripheral portion of the fragment object.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the peripheral edge portion of the fragment object is represented by blurring. If the outline of the fragment object is clear, its presence becomes stronger.
On the other hand, when the peripheral portion is blurred and expressed as in the invention described in claim 15, the presence of the peripheral portion is diminished, the impression as a component of the rotating body is reduced, and it is possible to give an impression as a rotating body having a smooth surface. Becomes

According to the invention described in claim 16,
The image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 15 may include information for causing the device to function as a unit that changes the number of fragment objects that are rotated by the rotating unit.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the number of the fragment objects to be rotated is changed. Therefore, for example, in a game, it is possible to change the number of fragment objects according to the game progress situation such as the ability value of the character, score, game stage, presence or absence of item, type of character, game scenario, and the like. It will be possible.

According to the invention described in claim 17,
The image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 16 may include information for causing the device to function as a unit that changes a trajectory when the fragment object is rotated.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, the trajectory of the fragment object is changed. Therefore, for example, when the sphere is artificially represented, by changing the radius of gyration of the fragment object, it is possible to represent how the size of the rotator changes with the passage of time. Alternatively, in the game, it is possible to change the size of the rotating body in accordance with the progress situation and the game scenario.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention,
The image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 17 may include information for causing the device to function as a means for changing the shape of the fragment object.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention, the shape of the fragment object is changed. Therefore, for example, when changing the trajectory of a fragment object or changing the radius of gyration, if the shape of the fragment object is changed according to the change, a rotating body can be represented regardless of the change in the trajectory. Is possible.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, a region setting means for setting a region in a virtual space by means of calculation and control by the processor and a region setting means in the virtual space are provided. Moving means for moving one or a plurality of fragment objects in parallel within the set area, and image generating means for representing a solid by periodically generating a still image of the fragment object moved by the moving means. It is characterized by being information for operating the. Here, the solid means a plane arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, a region is set in the virtual space, and the fragment object is moved in parallel within the region, so that the solid is represented in a pseudo manner. Therefore, an object larger in area (area or volume) than the fragment object actually drawn can be represented by using the illusion of human eyes. That is, in a single still image generation process, it is sufficient to draw each fragment object, and it is possible to draw more quickly than in the case where the entire shape of the object is defined by the polygon model.

According to the invention described in claim 20,
It goes without saying that the image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 19 may be stored in the information storage medium.

[0054]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, a case where a game using a three-dimensional virtual space is executed by the home-use game machine 1 will be described as an example. Also, in the following,
In the battle scene between the characters, a case where a sphere is expressed as an effect for more clearly representing the attack of each character will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following case.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a home-use game machine 1. As shown in the figure, the game apparatus 1 has a configuration in which the display 2, the game controllers 3, 4 and the like are detachable. Further, the system program, the game program, the game data, the game data, and the present embodiment are stored in the information storage medium such as the CD-ROM 5, the IC card 6, the memory card 7, which is a removable information storage medium in the game apparatus 1, and the game apparatus 1 body. Game information such as information necessary for realizing the form is stored.

The processing system of the game device 1 is a virtual camera (hereinafter, referred to as a virtual camera) in a three-dimensional virtual space during execution of the game.
Position), a game image based on the viewpoint is generated and displayed on the display 2. With respect to various characters and objects in the virtual space, their existing position, orientation, motion, etc. are determined for each frame based on signals and game information input from the game controllers 3 and 4.

On the other hand, the player sees the game image displayed on the display 2 while watching the game controllers 3, 4
To instruct the character's actions and make various selections to enjoy the game.

In the game of this embodiment, each character is equipped with a weapon and uses the weapon to compete with the opponent character. At that time, the processing system of the game device 1 is
An effect effect when a character attacks with a weapon is represented by a sphere. However, the present embodiment is characterized in that the sphere is not represented by a complete polygon model, but is represented in a pseudo manner with a smaller number of polygons. In the following, a sphere that is represented in a pseudo manner will be referred to as a pseudo sphere.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the game image 10 representing a pseudo sphere according to the principle described below, which is at the moment when the character 12 makes an attack. According to FIG. 2, the arm part of the character 12 is equipped with a weapon 14, and a sphere 16 (pseudo sphere), a ring 18, etc. are represented near the position of the weapon. In the present embodiment, the surface of the sphere is expressed by a simpler structure, not by a polygon model.

(1) Principle The principle for expressing a pseudo sphere will be described below. In the present embodiment, a pseudo sphere is represented by rotating a plurality of fragment objects (small pieces) at high speed on a concentric spherical surface. That is, if each of the generated images is independently displayed (as a still image), a plurality of fragment objects are
Perceived as distributed around the point. For example, in the example of the game image shown in FIG. 2, the white part is mainly a fragment object, but its distribution is clear and the background is seen in places. However, if the image of the rotating fragment object is generated at a predetermined time interval (every one frame) and continuously displayed on the display 2, the image displayed in the frame immediately before that is visually recognized by the player as an afterimage. Since it remains, the player can recognize it as a continuous smooth spherical surface. Here, high speed rotation is 1
In the period of the frame (1/60), it means a rotation that moves at least a distance corresponding to one fragment object or more.

In the following, the coordinate system in the three-dimensional virtual space is referred to as the world coordinate system and is represented by (X, Y, Z). However, the world coordinate system is set so that the Y axis indicates the vertical direction of the virtual space, and the positive direction of the Y axis indicates the vertical upward direction of the virtual space. A coordinate system other than the world coordinate system for defining the shape of each fragment object is called a fragment model coordinate system (xm, ym, zm), and the coordinate system used to form the pseudo sphere is the pseudo sphere coordinates. It is called a system (xc, yc, zc).

Basic Structure FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a fragment object. As shown in the figure, a part 20 ′ of the surface of a sphere 20 (hereinafter referred to as a typical sphere 20) defined by a complete polygon model is taken out, and this is taken as one fragment object 2
Set as 2. Similarly, a plurality (for example, 5 to 6) of fragment objects that are a part of the typical sphere 20 are prepared. All of the plurality of fragment objects may have the same shape, or may be different parts on the surface of the typical sphere 20.

During execution of the game, the rotational angular velocity ωv is added to each of the prepared plurality of fragment objects.
And the angle components (θx, θy, θz) used to determine the direction of the rotation axis (rotation direction), the arrangement angle ψ, and the initial position ωp.
And are set randomly. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, a radius of gyration R equal to the radius R of the typical sphere 20.
Then, it is rotated at high speed around the center point 30.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the rotational angular velocity ωv. In FIG. 5, a circle 42 indicates a trajectory of a representative point of the fragment object on the plane 40 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a trajectory). The radius of the circumference 42 is equal to the radius R of the typical sphere 20. That is, the fragment object rotates on the plane 40 including the rotation center point 30 (hereinafter referred to as the rotation center point). In the following, the plane 40 concerned
Is called the surface of revolution. Now, the rotation angular velocity ωv means a rotation angle per second when the representative point of the fragment object 22 rotates around the rotation center point 30.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the rotation direction. The rotation direction means the trajectory of the fragment object in the coordinate system (pseudo-sphere coordinate system (xc, yc, zc)) having the rotation center point 30 as the origin. Angle component (θx, θy, θ
z) is the fragment object 22 in the pseudo-sphere coordinate system.
Is an amount for determining the direction of the rotation axis, that is, an amount for determining the inclination of the rotation surface 40. The angle components (θx, θy, θz) are arbitrary vectors (x, y,
z) is an angle to be substituted into the operators Xope, Yope, Zope for converting another vector (x ′, y ′, z ′), θx is an angle around the xc axis, and θy is an angle around the yc axis. The angle and θz indicate the angle around the zc axis.

[Equation 1]

Specifically, a default tilt is set on the rotating surface 40. In the following, the default direction of the normal vector 44 of the rotation surface 40 is (0, 0, 1). At the start of the representation of the pseudo sphere, the angle components (θx, θy,
θz) is set randomly and the operators Xope, Yope, Zope
To each. While the game is being executed, the coordinates of the representative point 24 of the fragment object 22 are determined for each frame. First, the coordinates of the representative point 24 on the rotation surface 40 arranged in the default direction are described above. It is determined based on the rotation angular velocity ωv and the initial position ωp. And
The coordinates of the representative point 24 of the fragment object 22 in the pseudo-sphere coordinate system are determined by transforming the determined coordinates by the operators Xope, Yope, Zope.
The initial position ωp is the representative point 2 on the rotation surface 40.
4 shows the initial position of 4 and is specifically the angle with respect to the xc axis.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement angle ψ. FIG. 7A shows a rotation center point 30 in the pseudo spherical coordinate system.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a positional relationship between a representative point 24 of the fragment object 22 and FIG. Representative point 2 of fragment object 22
4 is located at the center of the fragment object 22. Since the fragment object 22 is a part of the surface of the typical sphere 20, it has a convex surface corresponding to the outer surface of the typical sphere 20 and a concave surface corresponding to the inner surface thereof. So, fragment object 2
2 is arranged such that its convex surface is the outer surface of the pseudo sphere, and the straight line 32 connecting the rotation center point 30 and the representative point 24 and the fragment object 22 intersect vertically.

The arrangement angle ψ is the angle of the piece object 22 around the straight line 32 connecting the rotation center point 30 and the representative point 24. In the following, the coordinate system for specifying the shape of the fragment object 22 is defined as the fragment model coordinate system (x
m, ym, zm). The origin is the position of the representative point 24.

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example in which the fragment object 22 is turned around the straight line 32 by the arrangement angle ψ. The solid line is the fragment object 2 with respect to the rotation surface 40.
2 shows a default arrangement of 2. At this time, ym indicates the same direction as the normal vector of the rotating surface 40, the xm axis indicates the direction parallel to the rotating surface 40, and the zm axis indicates the same direction as the straight line 32. On the other hand, the chain double-dashed line is the fragment object 22 'when it is turned around the straight line 32 by the arrangement angle ψ.
Is shown.

The arrangement of the fragment object in the pseudo-sphere coordinate system is determined by the above procedure. On the other hand, the coordinates of the rotation center point in the world coordinate system are determined. And
The coordinates of the fragment object in the pseudo-sphere coordinate system with the rotation center point 30 as the origin are converted based on the coordinates of the rotation center point in the world coordinate system to determine the coordinates of the fragment object in the world coordinate system. As described above, a smooth spherical surface can be expressed by configuring the fragment object based on the typical sphere 20 and further rotating it with the same radius R of rotation as the radius R of the typical sphere 20.

Double Structure In this embodiment, the pseudo sphere has a double structure. That is,
A pseudo sphere is represented by a fragment object group that rotates on a spherical surface with a radius of gyration R ₁ and a fragment object group that rotates on a spherical surface with a radius of rotation R ₂ .

FIG. 8 shows the trajectory 46 of a fragment object rotating with a radius of gyration R ₁ and the trajectory 48 of a fragment object rotating with a radius of gyration R ₂ superimposed on one plane. As shown in FIG. 8, the fragment object group rotating with the radius of rotation R ₁ and the fragment object group rotating with the radius of rotation R ₂ are rotated around the same rotation center point 30. In this way, by forming the pseudo sphere into a double structure, it is possible to represent a smooth spherical surface without interruption.

In the following, the fragment object group rotating with the radius of rotation R ₁ is referred to as the first fragment group, and the radius of rotation R ₂
The fragment object group rotating by is called the second fragment group. However, R ₁ <R ₂ .

Texture In this embodiment, the pseudo sphere is represented semitransparently. As a method of expressing the transparency of an object, a method using transparency (α value) is well known. According to this method, an α value (0 ≦ α ≦ 1) is set as the transparency of the object,
Each color component of the color information (Ro, Go, Bo) of the object and each color component of the color information (Rc, Gc, Bc) of the background of the object are α: (1-
Transparency is expressed by combining at the ratio of α). However, in the case of drawing using the transparency α in this way, the α value must be stored separately from the color information of the object, which requires an extra memory capacity.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the fragment information is obtained by adding or subtracting the color information (Rt, Gt, Bt) of the fragment object to the background color information (Rc, Gc, Bc). While drawing, express the transparency.

By the way, it is known that colors are variously expressed by combinations of shades of the three primary colors.
There are two types of expression forms, additive color mixing and subtractive color mixing. Generally, an additive color mixture is used in a color display. In the following, for each primary color of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), shading is defined by 8 bits, and the color information is (R, G,
B) = (255,255,255) (all outputs) is white, (R, G, B) = (0,
If 0, 0), it is assumed that black is displayed.

In the case of additive color mixture, if the color information of one is subtracted from the color information of the other (however, the lower limit value is 0), the color information inevitably approaches black (0 for each output). Conversely, if one color information is added to the other color information (however,
The upper limit value is rounded down to 255), and the color information approaches white (all outputs).

Since the color information of black is (R, G, B) = (0,0,0), other color information is added or subtracted from other color information. It does not change. Conversely, the white color information is
If it is added to other color information, the processed color information becomes white, and if subtracted, the processed color information becomes black. That is, the closer the color information of the fragment object is to black, the more transparent it is to the background color information, and the closer the color information of the fragment object is to white, the more opaque it is to the background color information.

Based on the above matters, a texture that is white near the center and becomes blacker toward the edge is mapped to the fragment object. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the texture 440 to be mapped to the fragment object. More precisely, the texture 440 is coordinate system (u, v)
This is information defining the gray level of each color of R, G, B for each unit coordinate point in. As shown in the figure, the edge portion of the texture 440 is close to black, and the central portion is close to white. Therefore, when such a texture 440 is mapped to a fragment object and added to or subtracted from other color information, the edge portion of the fragment object appears transparent (that is, other color information is visible) and the central portion becomes opaque. You will be able to see it.

In this way, by mapping a texture whose transparency gradually increases from the center to the peripheral portion on the fragment object, the edge portion of the fragment object becomes inconspicuous. That is, when the edge portion is blurred in this way, the shape of the fragment object is more difficult to recognize than when the edge object whose edge portion is clearly visible is rotated. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the impression that the fragment object is rotating in the virtual space and impress the player with a smooth pseudo sphere.

The dual structure of the inner and outer pseudo spheres of the pseudo sphere has been described above. In the present embodiment, the drawing method is changed between the fragment object rotating inside (first fragment group) and the fragment object rotating outside (second fragment group) in this double structure. That is, when a fragment object that rotates inside is drawn by the addition method, a fragment object that rotates outside is drawn by the subtraction method, and when drawing an inside fragment object by the subtraction method, the outside fragment object is drawn. The drawing method is changed between the inside and the outside, such as drawing by the addition method.

By changing the drawing method between the inside and the outside of the pseudo sphere, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the addition method, since the color information of the fragment object is added to the background color information, the fragment object becomes whitish as a whole. On the other hand, according to the subtraction method, since the color information of the fragment object is subtracted from the color information of the background, the fragment object becomes dark as a whole. Therefore, if the outside is drawn by the addition method, the pseudo sphere looks white and partially black. On the contrary, if the outside is drawn by the subtraction method, the pseudo sphere looks blackish and partially looks white.

Therefore, for example, when a character who is an ally for the player (hereinafter referred to as an ally character) attacks, the outside is added and the inside is subtracted to draw a pseudo sphere to express a whitish effect. On the other hand, when a character that is an enemy to the player (hereinafter referred to as an enemy character) attacks, the outside is subtracted, the inside is added, and a pseudo sphere is drawn to express a blackish effect. It becomes possible to do.

(2) Functions and Operations Functional Configuration of Game Device 1 The functional configuration of the game device 1 in the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the game apparatus 1. According to FIG. 10, the game device 1
Is a processing unit 100, an input unit 200, and a display unit 300.
And an information storage medium 400 and a temporary storage unit 500.

The processing unit 100 controls the entire system, gives instructions to each functional unit in the system, gives an instruction based on the operation signal input from the input unit 200 and the game information 410 stored in the information storage medium 400. In addition to the processing for advancing processing, various processing such as image processing and sound processing are performed, and the function thereof is various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.)
And hardware such as ASIC (gate array etc.) or a given program. In addition, the processing unit 100 mainly includes the game calculation unit 110 and the image generation unit 12.
Including 0, the game calculation unit 110 is caused to execute a process corresponding to the operation signal input from the input unit 200, and the image generation unit 120 is caused to generate an image based on the processing result.

The game calculation section 110 sets the screen for various selections in the game, the game progressing process, the coordinates of each character or object existing in the virtual space,
Various game processes such as a process for determining the direction and motion, a process for determining the position and direction of the viewpoint, and the like are executed for each frame. Note that these processes are executed based on the operation signal input from the input unit 200 and the game information 410 stored in the information storage medium 400.

Further, the game calculation section 110 includes a rotation condition setting section 112 and a rotation control section 114 for executing processing for expressing a pseudo sphere, and based on the game information 410 stored in the information storage medium 400. Make each part work.

The image generation section 120 includes the game calculation section 110.
The CPU executes a process for generating a game image for each frame in real time on the basis of the information determined by, and includes hardware such as a CPU, a DSP, an IC for image generation, and a memory. Specifically, the image generation unit 120 performs a process of performing front / rear clipping to determine a view volume of the virtual space (a range of the virtual space that can be seen from the viewpoint through the projection surface) of each character or object in the world coordinate system. A process of converting the coordinates into a two-dimensional coordinate system based on the coordinates of the viewpoint, a process of sequentially drawing individual objects in the frame buffer 510 to generate a game image, and the like are executed for each frame to generate a game image. To do. Then, the generated game image is output to the display unit 300 and displayed at a required timing (that is, at one frame interval).

Here, the frame buffer 510 means a memory area for storing a color density value (that is, an output amount) for each pixel on the display 2.
Specifically, the R, G, and B grayscale values (0 to 255) of each pixel are stored. The processing unit 100 outputs the image data stored in the frame buffer 510 to the display unit 300 to display the image. The frame buffer 510 is included in the temporary storage unit 500 described later.

The image generation unit 120 also executes a process for generating a game image including a pseudo sphere, a drawing order control unit 122, a mapping unit 124, and a fragment drawing unit 126.
Game information 4 including the information stored in the information storage medium 400
Each part is made to function based on 10.

The input section 200 is a functional section corresponding to the game controllers 3 and 4 shown in FIG. 1, and outputs the operation input of the player to the processing section 100 as an electric signal. The input unit 200 may use not only the game controllers 3 and 4 shown in FIG. 1 but also a general-purpose input device such as a keyboard, an input means such as a mouse, a trackball, and a joystick.

The display section 300 is a functional section corresponding to the display 2 shown in FIG. 1, and sequentially reads and displays the game images stored in the temporary storage section 500 in accordance with an instruction input from the processing section 100. The display unit 300 may be realized mainly by a display connected to a computer or the like, or may be realized by a display mainly used when displaying a TV broadcast.

The information storage medium 400 stores a system program and data relating to the driving of the game apparatus 1 in the present embodiment, game information 410 necessary for realizing a game, and a CD-ROM, MO. , DV
It can be realized by hardware such as D, memory, hard disk.

The game information 410 includes the processing unit 10
The information necessary for operating the game calculation unit 110 of 0 is included. Specifically, the game scenario, the model information of each character, the information of each object placed in the virtual space, the information for determining the motion of each object or character according to the operation signal input from the input unit 200, the game The information for calculating the score of, the information for measuring the game time, and the like are included. Furthermore, game information 41
0 indicates information for operating the rotation condition setting unit 112 included in the game calculation unit 110 (information for executing a setting process described below), and information for operating the rotation control unit 114 (rotation control described below). Information for executing the process).

Further, the game information 410 includes information necessary for the image generating section 120 to function. That is, a program for the image generation unit 120 to generate a game image for each frame based on the processing result by the game calculation unit 110 is included. For example, it includes information for realizing the process of converting the coordinates of the object or character in the virtual space from the world coordinate system to the two-dimensional coordinate system based on the viewpoint. It also includes information for executing a pseudo sphere drawing process described later.

Further, the information storage medium 400 stores the data (fragment object data 420) of the fragment objects forming the pseudo sphere. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the storage format of the fragment object data 420. Figure 1
According to No. 1, the fragment object data 420 includes the fragment group No. (Code for identifying the first fragment group and the second fragment group) and the fragment model No. , The number, and the texture No. to be mapped. And are stored in a table format.

Here, the first fragment group means the fragment object group which rotates at the radius of rotation R ₁ as described above, and the second fragment group means the fragment object group which rotates at the radius of rotation R _2. means. However, R ₁ <R ₂ .

The fragment model means a polygon model forming a fragment object as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, the coordinate data of the vertices of each polygon in the fragment model coordinate system (xm, ym, zm). , Surface data for forming a surface (polygon) by designating connections between vertices, and the like. In addition, the fragment model No. Is a code for identifying the fragment model.

The number means the number of fragment objects forming each fragment group. Hereinafter, fragment objects that rotate with the same radius of gyration will be represented using the same fragment model.

Texture No. Is an identification code of the texture to be mapped to the corresponding fragment object. In the following, the same texture is mapped for all fragment objects that rotate with the same radius of gyration.

The temporary storage unit 500 is a storage unit used as a work area of the processing unit 100, and the calculation result by the processing unit 100, operation information input from the input unit 200,
It is a functional unit that temporarily stores data and programs read from the information storage medium 400. Specifically, it stores the coordinates, orientation, motion details, etc. of each character,
The elapsed time measured from the start of the game is stored, the game score is stored, and the image information generated by the processing unit 100 is stored. In addition, the temporary storage unit 500
Is realized by hardware such as RAM or VRAM.

Characteristic processing and functions in the present embodiment of the game apparatus 1 will be described in detail below.

Pseudo Sphere Construction Process A. Rotation condition setting unit 112 The rotation condition setting unit 112 is a functional unit that sets a rotation condition for each of the fragment objects forming the pseudo sphere. The rotation conditions are the rotation angular velocity ωv, the rotation direction (θx, θy, θz), the arrangement angle ψ, and the initial position ωp.
It means When the rotation condition setting unit 112 determines the rotation condition for each piece object, the rotation condition setting unit 112 stores the determined content in the temporary storage unit 500 as the rotation setting data 512.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the storage format of the rotation setting data 512 generated by the rotation condition setting unit 112. According to the figure, the rotation setting data 512 includes
Fragment group No. And the fragment object No. And the rotational angular velocity ωv and the angular components (θx, θ
y, θz), the arrangement angle ψ, and the initial position ωp are stored in a table format.

The rotation condition setting unit 112 sets the drawing method (addition or subtraction) of the first fragment group (inside) and the second fragment group (outer) according to the character performing the attack. That is, when the teammate character makes an attack, it is set so that the first fragment group is drawn by the subtraction method and the second fragment group is drawn by the addition method. On the other hand, when the enemy character makes an attack, it is set so that the first fragment group is drawn by the addition method and the second fragment group is drawn by the subtraction method. Then, the set result is used as the drawing method setting data 5
The number 14 is stored in the temporary storage unit 500.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the storage format of the drawing method setting data 514 generated by the rotation condition setting unit 112. According to the figure, the drawing method setting data 51
No. 4 is a fragment group number. And the drawing method are stored in a table format.

The setting processing by the rotation condition setting unit 112 will be described below. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the setting process. According to the figure, the rotation condition setting unit 112 determines whether or not a condition for generating an attack effect is satisfied (step S1). For example, the input unit 20
An attack effect is generated when an instruction to cause the character to perform an attack is input from 0, or when the character performs an attack based on the processing result based on the game information 410.

When it is determined in step S1 that the attack effect is not generated (N), this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the condition for generating the attack effect is satisfied (Y), it is determined whether the character executing the attack is an enemy or an ally (step S2).

When the teammate character attacks (step S2; Y), the drawing method setting data 514 in which the outside is added and the inside is subtracted is generated and stored in the temporary storage unit 500 (step S3). On the other hand, when the enemy character attacks (step S2; N), the drawing method setting data 514 in which the outside is subtracted and the inside is added is generated and stored in the temporary storage unit 500 (step S4).

Next, the rotation condition setting unit 112 determines that the required number of fragment object Nos. Is generated (step S
5). Specifically, the number of fragment objects belonging to each fragment group is read from the fragment object data 420 (see FIG. 11), and the read number of fragment object Nos. To generate.

The generated fragment object No. For each of the rotation angular velocity ωv, the angular component of the rotation direction (θx,
θy, θz), the arrangement angle ψ, and the initial position ωp are set, and rotation setting data 512 as shown in FIG. 12 is generated and stored in the temporary storage unit 500 (step S6).

When setting the rotational angular velocity ωv, a positive random number r (0 <r <360) is generated and determined. However, at this time, the lower limit of the random number may be set higher in order to rotate the individual fragment objects at a relatively high speed. Further, either right rotation (+) or left rotation (-) is determined and stored together with the rotation angular velocity ωv.

An angle component (θ for determining the rotation direction
x, θy, θz), each component is 0 or more and 360
Set with a random number less than. Further, the arrangement angle ψ and the initial position ωp are similarly set by a random number of 0 or more and less than 360. The rotation condition setting unit 112 ends the present process when the rotation conditions are set for all the fragment objects.

B. Rotation Control Unit 114 The rotation control unit 114 is a functional unit that determines the position of each fragment object in the world coordinate system for each frame based on the rotation setting data 512 generated by the rotation condition setting unit 112. At that time, the rotation control unit 11
4 measures the time t from the start of the generation of the attack effect, and determines the position of the fragment object according to the elapsed time t.

Specifically, the rotation control unit 114 defines a pseudo sphere coordinate system (xc, yc, zc) whose origin is the rotation center point, and coordinates of the representative point of each fragment object in the pseudo sphere coordinate system. To decide. Then, by arranging the distribution of each fragment object in the pseudo-sphere coordinate system in the world coordinate system, the coordinates of each fragment object in the world coordinate system are determined. Hereinafter, the rotation control processing executed by the rotation control unit 114 will be described in detail.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining the rotation control process. The process described below is executed by the rotation control unit 114 for each frame based on the game information 410 stored in the information storage medium 400.

First, the rotation control unit 114 includes the temporary storage unit 5
An unprocessed fragment object is extracted from the rotation setting data 512 stored in 00 (step S10). Then, the rotational angular velocity ωv of the extracted fragment object
And the angle components (θx, θy, θ
z), the arrangement angle ψ, and the initial position ωp are read (step S11). Then, the coordinates of the extracted fragment object in the pseudo spherical coordinate system are determined based on the read rotation condition.

At this time, first, the coordinates (xc, yc, 0) of the representative point of the fragment object on the rotation surface 40 shown in FIG.
To decide. However, at this time, the default direction of the normal vector of the rotating surface 40 is (0, 0, 1). Specifically, the duration t from the occurrence timing of the attack effect
And the rotational angular velocity ω read from the rotation setting data 512
Based on v and the initial position ωp, the angle ω with respect to the xc axis
And the calculated angle ω and radius of gyration Rn
The coordinates (xc, yc, 0) of the representative point on the rotating surface 40 are determined based on (n = 1 or 2) (step S12). ω = ωv · t + ωp (1) x = Rn · cos ω, y = Rn · sin ω (2) At this time, if the fragment object extracted in step S10 belongs to the first fragment group, the expression ( Substitute R ₁ for 2) and substitute R ₂ for equation (2) if it belongs to the second fragment group.

Further, the pseudo spherical coordinate system (xc, yc, zc)
The coordinates of the representative point of the fragment object in are determined based on the angle components (θx, θy, θz) (step S1).
3). Specifically, the coordinates (xc, yc, 0) of the representative point of the fragment object on the rotation surface 40 are converted into the rotation operator Xope,
Coordinates are converted based on Yope and Zope to determine the coordinates in the pseudo-sphere coordinate system.

Further, the rotation control unit 114 determines the inclination of the fragment object around the straight line connecting the rotation center point and the representative point of the fragment object. That is, the inclination of the fragment object with respect to the rotation surface 40 is determined based on the arrangement angle ψ (step S14). At this time, the fragment object is arranged such that the convex surface of the fragment object is the outer surface of the pseudo sphere.

When the above processing is completed, for all the fragment objects stored in the rotation setting data 512,
It is determined whether or not the arrangement in the pseudo-sphere coordinate system is set (step S15), and when there is an unprocessed fragment object, the process returns to step S10 and is repeated.

When the setting of the positions in the pseudo spherical coordinate system is completed for all the fragment objects (step S1
5; Y), the coordinates of the rotation center point in the world coordinate system are determined (step S16). Specifically, the coordinates of the weapon of the character performing the attack are determined, and the coordinates of the rotation center point are determined in the vicinity of the position of the weapon.

Then, the distribution of the fragment objects in the pseudo spherical coordinate system is arranged at the position of the rotation center point in the world coordinate system, and the coordinates of the individual fragment objects are determined (step S17). At that time, the orientation of the pseudo-sphere coordinate system (xc, yc, zc) in the world coordinate system is determined according to the orientation of the character in the world coordinate system or the orientation of the weapon. When the arrangement in the world coordinate system is determined for all the fragment objects, this process ends.

Drawing of Pseudo Sphere A. Drawing Order Control Unit 122 As described above, the fragment information is drawn by adding or subtracting the color information of the fragment object to the color information of the background. Therefore, when drawing the fragment object on the frame buffer 510, it is necessary that an object or environment existing farther from the fragment object as viewed from the viewpoint has already been drawn.

The drawing order control unit 122 divides into a group of objects (and characters) close to the viewpoint and a group of objects (and characters) far from the viewpoint, based on the coordinates of the center of rotation of the pseudo sphere in the world coordinate system. And
The drawing order of the objects is determined so that the objects in the distant view, the pseudo sphere, and the objects in the near view are drawn in this order.

Specifically, the drawing order control unit 122 divides the view volume set by the image generation unit 120 into a distant view region and a near view region with the coordinates of the rotation center point of the pseudo sphere as a boundary. That is, a region farther (back) from the viewpoint than the coordinates (depth value) of the rotation center point is set as a distant view region, and a region closer (front side) to the viewpoint than the rotation center point is set as a near view region. Then, the drawing order is set in the order of the object group belonging to the distant view area, the pseudo sphere, and the object group belonging to the near view area.

Further, the drawing order control unit 122 rearranges each of the fragment objects forming the pseudo sphere in the order of depth with respect to the viewpoint to determine the drawing order. Specifically, the order is determined such that the fragment object existing at a position far from the viewpoint is preferentially drawn.

B. Mapping Unit 124 The mapping unit 124 is a functional unit that maps a texture onto each fragment object. Specifically, the rotation setting data 5 is used to determine whether the fragment object extracted for drawing belongs to the first fragment group or the second fragment group.
12 (see FIG. 12), and the texture to be mapped to the fragment object is determined based on the determination result and the fragment object data 420 (see FIG. 11). When the texture is determined, mapping is performed by associating the coordinates of the texture in the coordinate system (u, v) with the vertices forming the fragment object.

C. Fragment Drawing Unit 126 The fragment drawing unit 126 is a functional unit that draws a fragment object according to the addition and subtraction methods described above.

For example, color information (R, G, B) = (Rg, Gg, Bg) is stored in the pixel G on the frame buffer 510, and for the pixel G, color information of the texture of the fragment object ( When drawing R, G, B) = (Rt, Gt, Bt), the fragment drawing unit 126 adds the color information (R, G, B) of the pixel G to the addition method: (R, G , B) = (Rg + Rt, Gg + Gt, Bg + Bt), when the subtraction method: (R, G, B) = (Rg-Rt, Gg-Gt, Bg-Bt) is updated.

When there are a plurality of fragment objects overlapping from the viewpoint, the drawing order control unit 122
According to the drawing order set by, the fragment objects existing in the back are overwritten in order. For example,
When the two fragment objects overlap each other from the viewpoint, first, the fragment object at the back is drawn by the addition or subtraction method. Then, the color information of the fragment object in the front is added to or subtracted from the color information of the background including the fragment object previously drawn, and the drawing is performed.

D. Pseudo Sphere Drawing Process Hereinafter, a process of drawing a pseudo sphere (pseudo sphere drawing process) will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the pseudo sphere drawing process. The processing described below is executed by the image generation unit 120 for each frame based on the game information 410 stored in the information storage medium 400.

First, the image generating section 120 is connected to the game calculating section 1
The view volume in the virtual space is set based on the viewpoint coordinates and the line-of-sight direction determined by 10, and the object existing in the view volume is determined, and the presence or absence of the pseudo sphere is determined (step S
20). If the pseudo sphere does not exist in the view volume (N), this process is terminated and each object to be arranged in the virtual space is drawn as usual. As a virtual space drawing method in this case, any conventionally known drawing method may be used as long as it does not hinder the processing described below.

When the pseudo sphere exists in the view volume (step S20; Y), the drawing order control unit 12
2 divides the view volume into a near view region and a distant view region with reference to the coordinates of the center of rotation of the pseudo sphere. Further, it is determined whether all the objects existing in the view volume belong to the near view area or the distant view area (step S21).

The image generator 120 first draws each object existing in the distant view area in the frame buffer 510 (step S22). It should be noted that any method may be used as a method of drawing an individual object existing in the distant view area, as long as it does not hinder the processing described below.

When the drawing of the object existing in the distant view area is completed, then the drawing of the pseudo sphere is started. that time,
The drawing order control unit 122 determines the drawing order by determining the coordinates of the representative points of the fragment objects forming the pseudo sphere (step S23). That is, the fragment objects are arranged in the depth order when viewed from the viewpoint, and the order is determined so that the fragment objects existing in the back are drawn first.

The image generation unit 120 includes the drawing order control unit 12
One unprocessed fragment object is extracted according to the order determined by 2 (step S24), and it is determined whether the fragment object belongs to the inside or outside of the pseudo sphere (step S25). In other words, whether the extracted fragment object belongs to the first fragment group or the second fragment group is determined based on the rotation setting data 512.

The mapping unit 124 determines the texture based on the determination result (first fragment group or second fragment group) in step S25 and the fragment object data 420 (see FIG. 11), and extracts it in step 24. It is mapped to the broken piece object (step S26).

The fragment drawing unit 126 also executes step S2.
The drawing method (addition or subtraction) of the extracted fragment object is judged based on the judgment result in 5 (first fragment group or second fragment group) and the drawing method setting data 514 (see FIG. 13) (step S27).

When the fragment object extracted in step S24 is drawn by the addition method (step S2
8; Y), the color information of the texture determined in step S26 is added to the color information of the corresponding area in the frame buffer 510 (step S29). At this time, the color information addition process is executed by associating the coordinates (that is, pixels) on the frame buffer 510 with the coordinates (u, v) on the texture based on the arrangement of the fragment objects determined by the rotation control process. To do.

On the other hand, when the extracted fragment object is drawn by the subtraction method (step S28; N), the color information of the texture determined in step S26 from the color information of the corresponding area in the frame buffer 510. Is subtracted (step S30). Also at this time, based on the arrangement of the fragment objects determined in the rotation control process,
Color information subtraction processing is executed by associating the coordinates on the frame buffer 510 with the coordinates (u, v) on the texture.

When the drawing of the fragment object extracted in step S24 is completed, it is determined whether the drawing is completed for all the fragment objects stored in the rotation setting data 512 (step S31). When there is an unprocessed fragment object (step S31; N), the processing returns to step S24 and is repeated.

On the other hand, when the drawing of all the fragment objects is completed (step S31; Y), the image generator 120
Draws an object belonging to the near view area (step S32). Note that the drawing method at this time may be any drawing method as long as it does not hinder the above processing. Then, when the drawing process for the object belonging to the near view area is completed, this process is ended.

(3) Hardware Configuration Next, the hardware configuration of the game device 1 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration that enables the present embodiment to be realized.
According to the figure, the game device 1 includes a CPU 600 and a RAM.
601, ROM 602, information storage medium 603, image generation IC 604, sound generation IC 605, I / O port 606,
607 are connected to each other by a system bus 608 so that data can be input / output. Then, the image generation IC 604
Is connected to a display device 609, the sound generation IC 605 is connected to a speaker 610, the I / O port 606 is connected to a control device 611, and the I / O port 607 is connected to a communication device 612. Has been done.

The ROM 602 stores initialization information of the main body of the game apparatus 1 and basic information for operating each part of the main body of the game apparatus 1 and the like. The information storage medium 60
3 corresponds to the information storage medium 400 in the functional block shown in FIG. 10, and includes game information 410, model data and texture data for expressing each character or object appearing in the game according to the present embodiment. In addition to storing the above, other various image data, sound data, play data, etc. are stored. When the present embodiment is realized by the home-use game machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, a CD-ROM, a game cassette, a DVD, a memory card, etc. are used as an information storage medium for storing the game information 410 and the like. Further, when the present embodiment is realized by a game device for business use, the game information 410
An information storage medium for storing the above information can be realized by hardware such as a ROM. In this case, the information storage medium 603 is R
It becomes OM602. When the present invention is implemented by a personal computer, a CD-ROM, DVD, R
A memory such as an OM or a hard disk is used.

The control device 611 corresponds to the game controllers 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. 1, and is a device for inputting the result of the judgment made by the player in accordance with the progress of the game into the main body of the device.

The CPU 600 controls the entire apparatus and performs various operations according to a program stored in the information storage medium 603, a system program stored in the ROM 602 (initialization information of the apparatus main body, etc.), a signal input by the control apparatus 611, and the like. Perform data processing. RAM601 is
This is a storage unit used as a work area of the CPU 600, and stores given contents of the information storage medium 603 and the ROM 602, or the calculation result of the CPU 600.
The RAM 601 functions as the temporary storage unit 500 in the functional block shown in FIG.

Furthermore, this type of device includes a sound generation IC 60.
5 and the image generation IC 604 are provided so that the game sound and the game image can be appropriately output.
The sound generation IC 605 includes an information storage medium 603 and a ROM 60.
2 is an integrated circuit that generates a game sound such as a sound effect or a background music based on the information stored in 2. The generated game sound is output by the speaker 610.
The image generation IC 604 includes a RAM 601 and a ROM 6
02, an integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display device 609 based on image information output from the information storage medium 603 or the like. The display device 609 is a CRT.
, LCD, TV, plasma display, projector and the like.

The communication device 612 exchanges various information used inside the game device 1 with the outside, and is connected to another game device to connect the game information 410.
It is used for transmitting and receiving given information according to, and for transmitting and receiving information such as the game information 410 via a communication line.

The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 are information storage media storing game information 410 including a program for performing processes during game execution shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 to 16. 603, a CPU 600 that operates according to the program, an image generation IC 604,
It is realized by the sound generation IC 605 and the like. The processing performed by the image generation IC 604, the sound generation IC 605, etc.
It may be performed by software using the CPU 600 or a general-purpose DSP.

The present embodiment may be applied not only to the home-use game machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 but also to any other form of game machine. For example, in FIG. 18, the host device 700, the host device 700 and the communication line 7
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including terminals 703-1 to 703-n connected via 02 is shown.

In the case of the form shown in FIG. 18, the game information 410 or the like stored in the information storage medium 400 shown in FIG. 10 is, for example, a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, a memory or the like which can be controlled by the host device 700. Information storage medium 70
It is stored in 1. Also, terminals 703-1 to 703-
In the case where n has a CPU 600, an image generation IC, and a sound generation IC and can generate a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 700 generates the game image and the game sound. Game information 410
Etc. are transmitted to the terminals 703-1 to 703-n. on the other hand,
When it cannot be generated standalone, the host device 700 generates a game image and a game sound, and the terminal device 7 generates the game image and the game sound.
03-1 to 703-n and output at the terminal.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, this embodiment may be applied to an arcade game machine 800. In this arcade game device 800, the player has a speaker 802.
This is a device for operating a given character displayed on the display 806 to enjoy a given game by operating the operation buttons 804 while listening to the sound output from the device. The system board 808 built in the arcade game device 800 has a CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC,
A RAM, a ROM, a memory 810 that is an information storage medium that stores the game information 410, and the like are mounted.
Then, the CPU executes the various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16 to realize the game.

(4) Modifications It is needless to say that the embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned case and can be appropriately modified. Hereinafter, some modified examples will be described.

Regarding the kind of the rotating body, the case where the sphere is simulated is described in the above embodiment, but it is not limited to this, and it is expressed by rotating the fragment object of a predetermined shape. Any shape may be used when expressing a rotating body of any shape.

For example, a cylinder may be pseudo-expressed based on the above principle. FIG. 20A is a diagram showing an example of a columnar body 50 configured by a complete polygon model, and FIG. 20B is a diagram showing an example of a fragment object 52 which is a part of the columnar body 50. During execution of the game, a cylinder is artificially represented by rotating the fragment object 52 about a given axis with a radius of gyration equal to the radius of the cylinder 50.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a game image 60 in the case where a plurality of fragment objects shown in FIG. 20B are rotated about the same axis with the same radius of gyration to represent a pseudo cylinder. By periodically generating a still image when the plurality of fragment objects 52 are rotated about the same axis and displaying the still image as a moving image, a cylinder having a smooth surface can be simulated.

Alternatively, a pseudo ellipsoid may be expressed based on the above principle. 22A is a diagram showing an example of an ellipsoid 70 formed by a complete polygon model, and FIG. 22B is a diagram showing an example of a fragment object 72 that is a part of the ellipsoid 70. During execution of the game, a cross section passing through the center point of the ellipsoid 70 is determined, the contour line of the cross section is set as the trajectory of the fragment object 72, and the trajectory is rotated to represent the pseudo ellipsoid. .

In order to smoothly represent the surface of the ellipsoid,
The shape (meaning including size) of the fragment object may be changed according to the radius of gyration on the trajectory. In the ellipsoid, the ideal radius of curvature of the fragment object differs between the position near the major radius and the position near the minor radius. So, for example,
The shape of the fragment object is designed not as a shape of a part of the ellipsoid 70 as shown in FIG. 22B but as a part of a spherical surface, and the distance between the representative point and the rotation center point of the fragment object is set. Depending on the, the length of a piece of the fragment object may be changed, or the curvature of the fragment object may be changed. In this way, by appropriately changing the shape of the fragment object, it is possible to represent an ellipsoid with a substantially smooth surface.

With respect to the structure of the rotating body, the case where the pseudo sphere has a double structure has been described as an example in the present embodiment, but the structure is not limited to this, and it may be constituted by one layer or three layers. Needless to say, it may be configured by a multi-layered structure including more than one layer. Alternatively, each of the plurality of fragment objects may be rotated with different radiuses of rotation.

Drawing Method In this embodiment, when drawing a fragment object,
Although it has been described that the color information of the fragment object is added to or subtracted from the color information of the background, it is not necessary to limit to this method, for example, a transparent process using an α value,
The fragment object may be drawn by a transparent process such as multiplication blending.

Here, the multiplication blend is obtained by multiplying the color information of the fragment object by the color information of the background, and further,
This is a method of combining colors by dividing by 255 (when expressing the shade of each color with 8 bits).

Regarding the Number of Fragment Objects In the present embodiment, the number of fragment objects is always constant in both the first fragment group and the second fragment group. However, the number of fragment objects may be changed according to the progress of the game.

For example, the number of fragment objects is changed according to the attack ability of each character during the game execution. If the attack ability is high, the number of shard objects to be rotated is increased, and if the attack ability is low, the number of shard objects is decreased. According to this setting, since the number of fragment objects increases as the attacking power improves, the pseudo sphere is represented without interruption. On the other hand, if the attacking ability is reduced, the number of fragment objects is reduced, so that the pseudo sphere becomes thin and can be seen through. In this way, it is possible to indirectly inform the player of the attack ability of the character via the attack effect (that is, the pseudo sphere).

Regarding the radius of gyration In the present embodiment, the case where the radius of gyration of each fragment object is always constant has been described as an example, but the radius of gyration is not limited to this, and the radius of gyration is appropriately set according to the progress of the game. You may change it.

For example, the radius of gyration R ₁ of the first fragment group and the radius of gyration R ₂ of the second fragment group may be changed according to the offensive ability of the character during the game. When the offensive ability is high, the respective turning radii R ₁ and R ₂ are extended, and when the offensive ability is low, the respective turning radii R ₁ and R ₂ are shortened. According to the setting, if the attack capability is improved,
The attack effect (pseudo sphere) is increased, and it is possible to create a powerful attack. On the contrary, when the attacking ability is lowered, the attacking effect is reduced, and the attacking power can be rendered to be low.

However, at this time, it is advisable to change the size (the length between the vertices) of the individual polygons forming the fragment object in accordance with the lengths of the radius gyrations R ₁ and R ₂ . For example, when the radius of gyration is doubled, the length between the vertices is also doubled, and the size of the fragment object is changed according to the rate of change of the radius of gyration. By this processing, it is possible to represent a smooth rotating body with less discomfort.

Others In the above embodiment, the case where the rotating body is expressed in a pseudo manner using the fragment object has been described as an example, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, a plane or a solid may be artificially represented by moving a plurality of fragment objects in parallel within a predetermined area.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, the plane area 80 is set in the virtual space during the execution of the game. However,
For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the plane area 80 is a square having a side length of L. Then, the planar piece object 82 having a smaller size than the plane area 80 is reciprocated in parallel with the plane area 80 at a high speed in an arbitrary direction within the plane area 80. Here, the high speed means a speed of moving at least a distance corresponding to one fragment object or a speed of moving within a period of one frame (1/60).
With this, a larger plane arranged in the virtual space can be represented in a pseudo manner by a set of smaller fragment objects. The fragment object 82
Is not limited to a plane, and may be, for example, a line segment or an object formed by one or more polygons.

Alternatively, a two-dimensional piece object may be reciprocated (translated) in the virtual space to represent a solid. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, a line segment 90 is set in the virtual space during execution of the game, and the fragment object 92 is set.
The representative point 94 is reciprocated on the line segment 90. At this time, if the fragment object 92 is moved so that the surface of the fragment object 92 and the line segment 90 intersect perpendicularly, a pseudo three-dimensional object can be represented.

In the above embodiment, the same texture is mapped to all fragment objects rotating with the same radius of gyration, but the invention is not limited to this, and each fragment object can be mapped. Different textures may be mapped to each. Also, prepare multiple types of textures in advance,
The texture to be mapped to the fragment object may be changed according to changes in conditions such as the game stage, game scores, items equipped by the character, and the like.

In the above description, the case where the character is represented by using a pseudo sphere as an effect when attacking another character has been described, but the effect at the time of attack need not be limited.

For example, it may be used as an effect for impressing various movements and actions of the character in the game, or a rotating body may be simulated as an object arranged in the virtual space.

Also, according to the above description, the outside of the pseudo sphere is represented. That is, the description has been made on the assumption that the distance between the viewpoint and the rotation center point is larger than the rotation radius R of the fragment object. However, there is no need to limit to this case, and the position of the rotation center point and the position of the rotation center point are drawn so that the inside of the pseudo sphere is drawn, that is, the rotation radius R of the fragment object is always longer than the distance between the viewpoint and the rotation center point. The turning radius R may be set.

For example, in the first-person viewpoint game, if the coordinates of the center of rotation and the length of the radius of rotation are set so that the pseudo sphere or pseudo cylinder covers the operation target character and viewpoint of the player, the attack of the opponent is prevented. It is possible to more effectively and easily express a barrier for doing so.

Further, this embodiment is applicable not only to game devices for home and business use, but also to a simulator, a large-sized attraction device of a type for displaying an image on a display to execute an attraction, a personal computer, a multimedia terminal, a game image. It can also be applied to various image generation devices such as a system board that generates a.

[0178]

According to the present invention, by rotating a plurality of fragment objects around a given center position, a rotating body is represented in a simulated manner by the illusion of the eyes of the viewer. However, at this time, if only one still image is viewed, the fragment objects appear to be distributed around the center position. That is, the number of polygons to be drawn can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the rotating body is represented by a complete polygon model, and therefore, the image of the rotating body can be quickly generated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a game device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game image representing a pseudo sphere.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a fragment object.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram in which a fragment object is rotated around a rotation center point.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a rotating surface.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which a rotation surface is tilted.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement direction of a fragment object. (B) is a figure for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning angle (psi) of a fragment object.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a double structure of a pseudo sphere.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a texture.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a game device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of fragment object data.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of rotation setting data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of drawing method setting data.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a setting process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a rotation control process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a pseudo sphere drawing process.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration that enables the present embodiment to be realized.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an application example of the present embodiment to a game device including a host device and a terminal.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game machine.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a fragment object when a cylinder is represented in a pseudo manner.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a game image when a cylinder is pseudo-represented.

[Fig. 22] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a fragment object when a pseudo ellipsoid is represented.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of expressing a plane by translating a fragment object.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example in which a fragment object is moved in parallel to express a solid.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 game device 100 processing unit 110 Game calculation unit 112 Rotation condition setting section 114 rotation control unit 120 Image generator 122 Drawing Order Control Unit 124 Mapping unit 126 Fragment drawing part 200 input section 300 display 400 information storage medium 410 Game information 420 fragment object data 440 texture 500 temporary storage 510 frame buffer 512 rotation setting data 514 Drawing method setting data

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C001 BA01 BA03 BC00 BC08                 5B050 AA08 BA07 BA08 BA13 CA07                       CA08 DA02 EA05 EA07 EA09                       EA12 EA15 EA24 EA28 FA02                       FA05 FA10                 5B057 CA01 CA08 CA13 CA16 CB01                       CB08 CB13 CB16 CC01 CD03                       CD20 CE04 CE16 CH07 CH08                       CH11 CH12                 5B080 AA13 AA19 CA01 FA02 FA09                       GA22

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A center deciding means for deciding a center position in a virtual space, and a center position decided by the center deciding means in the virtual space, for a device provided with the processor by calculation / control by the processor. Rotating means for rotating the fragment object at a given radius of gyration as a center, and image generating means representing a rotating body by periodically generating a still image of the fragment object rotated by the rotating means. Image generation information to be used. 2. The image generation information according to claim 1, wherein the rotation means functions to rotate the plurality of fragment objects about a center position with a given radius of rotation. Image generation information characterized by including information for causing the image generation. 3. The image generation information according to claim 2, wherein the rotating means causes the apparatus to function so as to rotate the plurality of fragment objects about the central position with the same radius of rotation. Image generation information characterized by including information. 4. The image generation information according to claim 2, wherein the rotation unit rotates the plurality of fragment objects at a first radius of rotation, and a first fragment object group.
Dividing into at least two fragment object groups of a second fragment object group rotating with a second radius of rotation,
Image generation information including information for causing the apparatus to function so as to simultaneously rotate the individual fragment objects about the center position. 5. A center deciding means for deciding a center position in a virtual space by means of calculation / control by the processor, and a center position decided by the center deciding means for a fragment object. Setting means for setting an ellipse centered at as a unique trajectory, rotation means for rotating the fragment object on the trajectory set by the setting means, and a static image of the fragment object rotated by the rotation means at regular intervals. Image generation information representing a rotating body, and image generation information for causing the function. 6. The image generation information according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit has an ellipse centered on the center position determined by the center determination unit for each of the plurality of fragment objects. Is set as a trajectory, information for causing the device to function, and the rotating means causing the device to function so as to rotate the plurality of fragment objects on the trajectory set by the setting means. The image generation information characterized by including the information of. 7. The image generation information according to claim 2, wherein the rotation angular velocity, the rotation direction, and the initial position are determined for each of the fragment objects. Image generation information including information for causing a setting unit to function with respect to the device. 8. The image generation information according to claim 7, wherein the center determining unit determines one point in the virtual space as the center position, and the condition setting unit arbitrarily sets the center position as a center. The image generation information including information for causing the device to function such that the rotation direction of is set for each piece object. 9. The image generation information according to claim 8, further comprising information for causing the device to function such that the shape of the fragment object is a shape of a part of a spherical surface having a given radius. Image generation information characterized in that. 10. The image generation information according to claim 7, wherein the center determining unit determines a straight line or a line segment in the virtual space as the center position, and the condition setting unit sets the center position as an axis. The image generation information including information for causing the device to function such that the rotation direction to be set is set for each piece object. 11. The image generation information according to claim 10, wherein information for causing the device to function such that the shape of the fragment object is a shape of a part of a side surface of a cylinder having a given radius. Image generation information characterized by including. 12. The image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the image generation means subtracts the gray value of the color of the fragment object from the gray value of the background color of the fragment object. Then, generate an image of the fragment object,
Image generation information including information for causing the device to function. 13. The image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the image generation means adds the gray value of the color of the fragment object to the gray value of the background color of the fragment object. Then, image generation information including information for causing the device to function so as to draw the fragment object. 14. The image generation information according to claim 4, wherein the image generation unit determines the color shading value of the fragment object belonging to the first fragment object group from the shading value of the background color of the fragment object. Subtracting and adding the gray value of the color of the fragment object belonging to the second fragment object group to the gray value of the color of the background of the fragment object causes the device to generate the image of the fragment object. Image generation information, which includes information for 15. The image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the image generation information includes information for blurring a peripheral portion of the fragment object. 16. The image generation information according to claim 1, further comprising information for causing the device to function as a unit for changing the number of fragment objects rotated by the rotating unit. Image generation information. 17. The image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the image generation information includes information for causing the device to function as a means for changing a trajectory when the fragment object is rotated. Image generation information to be set. 18. The image generation information according to claim 1, wherein the image generation information includes information for causing the device to function as a means for changing the shape of the fragment object. . 19. A region setting means for setting a region in a virtual space for a device provided with the processor by calculation / control by the processor; and in the region set by the region setting means in the virtual space, An image for operating a moving unit that moves one or more fragment objects in parallel, and an image generating unit that represents a solid by periodically generating a still image of the fragment object that is moved by the moving unit. Generation information. 20. An information storage medium, characterized in that it stores the image generation information according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 21. Center determining means for determining a center position in a virtual space, and rotating means for rotating the fragment object at a given radius of rotation in the virtual space with the center position determined by the center determining means as a center. An image generation apparatus comprising: an image generation unit that represents a rotating body by periodically generating a still image of a fragment object that is rotated by the rotation unit. 22. The image generating apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the rotating unit rotates a plurality of fragment objects at a given radius of rotation about the center position. 23. The image generating apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the rotating unit rotates the plurality of fragment objects about the central position with the same radius of rotation. 24. The image generating apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the rotating means rotates the plurality of fragment objects with a first fragment object group,
Dividing into at least two fragment object groups of a second fragment object group rotating with a second radius of rotation,
An image generating apparatus, wherein individual fragment objects are simultaneously rotated around the center position. 25. The image generating apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a condition setting unit that determines a rotation angular velocity, a rotation direction, and an initial position for each of the plurality of fragment objects. An image generation apparatus comprising: