JP3453119B2 - Information storage medium and game device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game information, an information storage medium, and a game device for generating an image of an object space viewed from a virtual camera and displaying the generated image to execute a given game. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when representing a cloud in an image of a video game device or the like, in order to reduce the processing, a cloud object in which the texture of the cloud is mapped to one flat polygon is placed in the object space. Clouds were expressed by setting them horizontally. However, for example, when generating an image viewed from the operator's viewpoint in a game of operating an airplane, the virtual camera (viewpoint) may be horizontal to the cloud, and the cloud may not be thick. There was a problem that I could understand. For this reason, so-called billboard processing is performed in which the cloud object is always opposed vertically to the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera.

[0003]

However, in the conventional art, one polygon on which the texture of the cloud is mapped is always fixed in the vertical and horizontal positions with respect to the virtual camera and is perpendicular to the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera. The method of arrangement was adopted. Therefore, even if the position of the virtual camera, the direction of the line of sight, or the like changes, the cloud does not change at all, and there is a problem that a feeling of strangeness occurs. Furthermore, for example, when the elevation angle or depression angle in the line-of-sight direction becomes large, there is a problem that the cloud is inverted and expressed at an angle of ± 90 °. Therefore, it has been desired to create a cloud expression that does not cause discomfort even when the position of the virtual camera or the direction of the line of sight changes. Especially in a game, the processing for each frame must be performed within a given time, which increases the processing load when expressing a cloud that is comfortable with changes in the position of the virtual camera and the direction of the line of sight. There was also the problem of having to suppress it.

An object of the present invention is to realize consistent cloud representation for changes in the position of the virtual camera and the direction of the line of sight.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Hereinafter, the means for solving the above problems will be described. Before that, the important terms "cloud element" and "cloud object" used throughout the specification will be described. , Explain its interpretation.

The technique disclosed in the present specification focuses on how to express a “cloud”. However, in the real world, due to the nature of "clouds", one "cloud" is usually one "cloud", and we do not think that "small clouds" gather together to form one "cloud". Is common. In the field of computer graphics, a method of expressing a “cloud” by a particle system (so-called particles) is known. According to this method, a “cloud” is a set of “particles”. , Not a set of "small clouds". However, this technology is one by one
It cannot be said that the unit that constitutes the "cloud" is a "particle" because it does not control one. Therefore,
The term "cloud element" is used to indicate that it is an element that constitutes "cloud" and is a unit.

From the above meaning, the term "cloud element" is used throughout the present specification to specify the elements constituting the cloud object. Therefore, the term cloud includes a cloud-shaped object. That is, a cloud-shaped object (for example, a small cloud or a cloud-shaped object that represents only one side), an alternative selection of a plurality of cloud-shaped objects, or the like is one cloud-shaped object (for example, a large cloud). Or a cloud-like object viewed from one side). Also, in the meaning of cloud, there are multiple particles.
It also includes a collection of. That is, this is because the constituent elements of the cloud-like object include a case where a plurality of particles are one unit.

The "cloud-shaped object" means the following. That is, although the technology disclosed in the present specification focuses on the “cloud”, it means that the present technology is not applicable only to the “cloud”. "Cloud object"
Is meant to include objects such as "smoke", "fog", and "haze" that have the same form as "cloud".

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image of a first object space viewed from a first virtual camera (for example, the virtual camera 100 shown in FIG. 2) is generated by calculation / control by a processor, and a given image is given. With respect to the first device which executes the game, a plurality of types prepared in advance according to the value of the given angle parameter (for example, the pitch angle X shown in FIG. 2) of the first virtual camera are provided. First cloud (for example, cloud part A (122) and cloud part B (124) shown in FIG. 3)
Are combined at a given ratio according to the current value of the given angle parameter, so that the first plate-shaped body placed toward the first virtual camera in the first object space is processed. First generation means (for example, the small cloud shown in FIG. 31) for generating texture information (for example, the small cloud texture 102 shown in FIG. 4) to be reflected on the cloud-shaped object (for example, the small cloud billboard in the embodiment). Drawing unit 63
2) is game information that can be calculated by the processor for causing the above-mentioned function.

Here, the first device may be a computer device or a portable / home / commercial game device. The given angle parameter is an angle parameter relating to the first virtual camera, which is necessary for setting the first virtual camera in the first object space. An angle such as a roll angle, a pitch angle, or a yaw angle. Further, in the synthesis processing at a given ratio, for example, when the first cloud is two and the synthesis processing is performed at a ratio of 1: 0 or 0: 1, that is, the first cloud is Including the case of switching.

According to the first aspect of the invention , for example, two first cloud elements representing one side surface (for example, front surface) and the other side surface (for example, rear surface) of the first cloud-shaped object are prepared, It is possible to switch the first cloud element according to the line-of-sight direction of the first virtual camera. That is, since the first cloud-shaped object is arranged toward the first virtual camera,
For example, the front surface and the back surface of the first cloud-like object can be easily represented without any contradiction.

Furthermore, since the texture information reflected in the first cloud-like object is generated "according to the current value of the angle parameter" of the first virtual camera, the first object space has the first texture information. When arranging the cloud-shaped object, it is not necessary to consider the vertical and horizontal directions of the first cloud-shaped object. That is, for example, when the roll angle of the first virtual camera changes, it is necessary to rotate the first cloud-shaped object according to the roll angle, but texture information is generated according to the roll angle. Because the first
The cloud-shaped object of 1 is simply placed in the first object space (more precisely, the position where the first cloud-shaped object is placed in the first object space is determined).

A second invention is the game information of the first invention , wherein the first cloud is texture information having color information including at least transparency information (for example, α value in the embodiment). , Combining the color information of the plurality of types of first cloud elements at the given ratio with respect to the first generation unit to synthesize the plurality of types of first cloud elements. It is characterized in that it includes information (for example, equations (2) and (3) in the embodiment) for causing the above to function.

According to the second aspect of the present invention , the first cloud element synthesizing process can be performed by summing the color information. Further, when the color information is only the transparency information, the total calculation of the color information can be more easily completed. That is, for example, if the color of the first cloud-shaped object is preset as “white”, the color of the first cloud-shaped object to be drawn can be easily determined only by calculating the transparency information. it can.

A third invention is the game information of the second invention , wherein a given animation (for example, the airflow texture 104 shown in FIG. 7) is given to the first device by the first cloud. It is characterized in that it includes information for operating the animation reflecting means for reflecting the color information of the elementary color .

According to the third aspect of the present invention , the color information of the first cloud changes with the passage of time, so that the appearance of the air flow can be expressed.

In this case, as in the fourth aspect,
The game information according to the third aspect of the present invention causes the animation reflecting means to change at least one of the direction, scale, and part of the given animation reflected in the first cloud. Information may be included.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention , since there are a plurality of types of the first cloud, depending on the type, the direction, scale, and part (for example, when the animation is mapped to the first cloud) that reflects the animation. By changing the direction of the mapping for the first cloud, etc.),
It is possible to express various air flows even with one animation.

Further, as in the fifth invention, the third or the third
In the game information according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the given animation is an animation that represents a temporal change of color information including at least transparency information, and is based on the given animation to the animation reflecting means. Information for causing the first cloud element to determine the color information of the first cloud element may be included.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention , a given animation can be, for example, one in which color information changes periodically or only transparency information changes. For example, when the color of the first cloud is previously determined to be “white”, the color at which the first cloud is drawn is
Since it can be determined only by the “transparency information”, the process of determining the color information of the first cloud can be simplified.

The sixth invention is any one of the first to fifth inventions.
A piece of game information for the first generation means, a means for setting the given angle parameter as a pitch angle and / or a yaw angle parameter of the first virtual camera; A plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared in advance according to the value of the angle parameter of the pitch angle and / or the yaw angle of one virtual camera are set to the current value of the angle parameter of the corresponding first virtual camera. It is characterized in that it includes information for operating the means for performing the combining processing at a given ratio according to the information.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention , it is possible to compensate for the drawback of the first cloud-shaped object of the plate-shaped body arranged toward the virtual camera. That is, for example, if two first cloud elements on the right side surface and the left side surface of the first cloud-shaped object are prepared, the first cloud-shaped object is generated according to the yaw angle of the first virtual camera. The right side and left side of can be expressed without contradiction. Similarly, for example, if two first cloud elements, that is, the upper surface and the lower surface of the first cloud-shaped object, are prepared, the first cloud-shaped object is generated according to the pitch angle of the first virtual camera. The upper surface and the lower surface of can be expressed without contradiction.

The seventh invention is any one of the first to sixth inventions.
If there is a first cloud element prepared in advance corresponding to the pitch angle in the game information of any one of them, then the first cloud element is used as the first cloud element. Rotate according to the roll angle or yaw angle of the virtual camera of
If there is a first cloud element prepared in advance according to the yaw angle, the first cloud element is rotated according to the roll angle or the pitch angle of the first virtual camera to perform the combining process. It is characterized by including information for performing the function.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention , of the angle parameters relating to the first virtual camera, even if it is the first cloud element prepared according to one angle parameter, it is changed to another angle parameter. According to the rotation, the composite processing is performed. For example, when two first cloud elements on the right side surface and the left side surface of the first cloud-shaped object are prepared according to the yaw angle, of course, the two first cloud elements according to the yaw angle are prepared. Are combined, but are rotated according to the roll angle and then combined. That is, as described above as the effect of the first invention , since the first cloud-shaped object is simply arranged in the first object space, even if the first virtual camera rolls, there is no contradiction. Need to generate no texture information. Therefore, even when the first virtual camera rolls by rotating the first cloud element prepared according to the yaw angle and the pitch angle according to the roll angle, the first generation unit Can generate consistent texture information.

The eighth invention is any one of the first to seventh inventions.
This is the game information of any one of the first cloud units prepared in advance for the first generation unit, in which at least two types of pitch angles of the first virtual camera are for horizontal direction and for vertical direction. Are combined at a given ratio according to the pitch angle of the first virtual camera to obtain a plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared in advance according to the pitch angle of the first virtual camera. It is characterized in that it includes information for functioning so as to perform a combining process.

According to the eighth aspect, when the line-of-sight direction of the first virtual camera with respect to the one first cloud-shaped object is changed, that is, the pitch angle of the first virtual camera is changed. However, it is possible to represent the first cloud-like object having no contradiction in its shape or the like.

In this case, as in the ninth invention,
In the game information according to the eighth aspect of the present invention , the first generation means is configured to rotate the first cloud element for the horizontal direction and the first cloud element for the vertical direction according to a roll angle of the first virtual camera. It may be configured to include information for causing the above-mentioned synthesizing process to function.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention , even if the first virtual camera rolls, the first cloud-like object can be represented without any contradiction without rotating the first cloud-like object itself. You can

Further, in this case, as in the tenth invention ,
The game information according to the eighth or ninth invention , wherein the first cloud for the vertical direction further includes two types corresponding to the case where the pitch angle of the first virtual camera is an elevation angle and a depression angle. There is a first cloud element, and the two types of first cloud elements included in the vertical first cloud element are set to the first virtual camera pitch with respect to the first generation unit. It may be configured to include information for causing the first cloud element for the vertical direction to function by switching according to the angle.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention , the first cloud element for the vertical direction includes the first cloud element when the pitch angle is the elevation angle and when the pitch angle is the depression angle, and the first cloud element is switched depending on the pitch angle. It is possible to easily express the upper surface and the lower surface of the one first cloud-like object without contradiction with the shape or the like.

The eleventh invention is the invention of the eighth to tenth inventions.
Any of the game information, the first for the horizontal direction
The cloud elements of the first virtual camera correspond to respective angular ranges obtained by equally dividing the angular range of the yaw angle of the first virtual camera.
And the plurality of types of first cloud elements included in the horizontal first cloud element are set to the yaw angle of the first virtual camera with respect to the first generation unit. It is characterized in that it includes information for causing the first cloud element for the horizontal direction to function as it is switched according to the switching.

According to the eleventh aspect, when the line-of-sight direction of the first virtual camera with respect to the first cloud-shaped object changes, that is, the yaw angle of the first virtual camera changes. However, it is possible to represent the first cloud-like object having no contradiction in its shape or the like.

The game information of the twelfth aspect of the invention is to execute a given game by generating an image of an object space viewed from a virtual camera (for example, the virtual camera 100 shown in FIG. 2) by calculation / control by a processor. A cloud-like object placed in the object space (for example, the cloud texture 102 shown in FIG. 2) for the device to be used.
To a plurality of types of cloud elements (for example, cloud part A (1
22), the cloud-shaped object B is generated from the cloud part B (124), and the cloud-shaped object is generated by switching the plurality of types of cloud elements by a given process when the position or line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera changes. This is game information that can be calculated by the processor for causing the means (for example, the small cloud drawing unit 632 shown in FIG. 31) to function.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention , for example, two cloud elements representing one side surface (for example, front surface) and the other side surface (for example, rear surface) of the cloud-like object are prepared, and the two cloud elements are provided according to the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera. Then, the cloud can be switched. That is, even when the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera changes, the front and back of the cloud-like object can be represented easily and consistently.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a calculation by a processor.
By the control, to the second device which is to execute the given game by generating the image of the second object space viewed from the second virtual camera (for example, the virtual camera 100 shown in FIG. 14). Then, a second arranging unit for arranging a plurality of second cloud elements (for example, small cloud billboards 24-1 to 32 shown in FIG. 14) in the cloud model space (for example, the middle cloud coordinate system shown in FIG. 14) ( For example, the middle cloud generation unit 612) shown in FIG.
By performing perspective transformation of the cloud model space, the second
Second generating means for generating texture information (for example, a medium cloud texture in the embodiment) to be reflected in the second cloud-shaped object of the plate-shaped object arranged toward the second virtual camera in the object space (For example, the middle cloud drawing unit 634 shown in FIG. 31) and game information that can be calculated by the processor for functioning.

According to the thirteenth invention , although the second cloud-like object arranged in the second object space is a plate-like object, it is possible to express the second cloud-like object in various modes. it can. This is because the texture information generated by the second generation unit and reflected on the second cloud-like object is perspective-transformed from the cloud model space in which a plurality of second cloud elements are arranged. This is because it is possible to generate various types of texture information depending on the conversion method. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to distinguish between the processing related to the second object space and the processing for generating texture information, and it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the second object space. Here, the second device may be a computer device or a portable / home / commercial game device. Moreover, the second cloud may be formed of a plate-shaped body.

A fourteenth invention is the game information according to the thirteenth invention , wherein a cloud model for perspective-transforming the second virtual camera and the cloud model space is provided to the second generating means. Virtual camera (for example, the cloud viewpoint 2 shown in FIG. 14)
20) and the information for causing the cloud model space to perform perspective transformation based on the cloud model virtual camera.

According to the fourteenth invention , since the cloud model virtual camera and the second virtual camera are linked,
Even the second cloud-shaped object, which is a plate-shaped object and is arranged in the object space, can be expressed in a consistent shape.

The fifteenth invention is the thirteenth or fourteenth invention.
This is clear game information, and causes the second arranging means to make the arrangement of the plurality of second cloud elements have a distribution biased to a given range of the cloud model space. Information (for example, Expression (4) in the embodiment) is included.

According to the fifteenth invention , for example, the second
If the color of the cloud element is “light white”, it can be expressed as “dark white” in the given range in which it is biased due to the bias of the arrangement position of the second cloud element. That is, by giving a bias to the arrangement position in the cloud model space, it is possible to change the shade of the color of the second cloud-shaped object.

The sixteenth invention is the thirteenth to fifteenth inventions.
Which is any one of the game information for changing the size of each of the second cloud elements arranged in the cloud model space to the second arrangement means (for example, , Equation (5) in the embodiment is included.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention , even if the second cloud elements are arranged at the same position in the cloud model space,
Since it is possible to make the sizes of the cloud elements different, the generated texture information can be made different, that is, the second cloud-shaped objects of various forms can be easily expressed.

The seventeenth invention is any one of the thirteenth to sixteenth inventions.
A Re of game information, to the second device,
A color information determining unit (for example, in FIG. 31) that determines the color information of the texture information generated by the second generating unit based on the light source of the second object space and the second cloud-shaped object. The color determination unit 638) to be shown is included.

According to the seventeenth aspect , the shading processing relating to the light source in the second object space is applied to the texture information so that the color information of the second cloud-like object is finally expressed without contradiction. be able to. That is, although the light source and the second cloud-shaped object exist in the second object space, the texture information reflected in the second cloud-shaped object is separately generated. Therefore, depending on the light source in the second object space, the arrangement state of the second cloud-like object, and the like,
By determining the color information of the texture information, it is possible to finally represent a realistic second cloud-like object that is consistent in color.

An eighteenth invention is the game information according to the seventeenth invention , wherein at least two specific points in the second cloud-like object (for example, the identification shown in FIG. 16) are provided to the color information determining means. Color information of points 22-1 to 9)
It is characterized in that it includes information for causing it to be determined based on the light source in the second object space and to determine the color information of the texture information based on the color information of the specific point.

For example, when the "cloud" is viewed from the side, the upper side where the sun rays hit is usually bright and the lower side is dark. However, if there is only one "cloud", if there are multiple "clouds", then a uniform cloud is used to express a realistic cloud by simply brightening the upper side and darkening the lower side. I can't. Therefore, according to the eighteenth invention , for example, color information at a plurality of specific points of the second cloud-shaped object is first obtained, and based on the color information of the specific points, texture information (that is, finally, If the color information of the second cloud-shaped object) is determined, it is possible to represent a color according to the arrangement state of the second cloud-shaped object in the second object space.

[0047] Also, in this case, as in the invention of the first 19, second
The game information according to the eighteenth invention , wherein a plurality of color information prepared in advance for the color information determining means according to the angle of the light source in the direction of the light beam is used to determine the angle of the light source in the direction of the light ray at the specific point Information for causing the color information of each of the specific points to be determined by performing a combining process at a given ratio according to (for example, the function data 9 shown in FIG. 31).
30) may be included.

Conventionally, in the brightness calculation of the light source, the process of adding the brightness values has been general. That is, although it was possible to represent a bright color by adding a certain brightness value, the RGB value of the maximum brightness "white" is R = 255, G = 255, B = 255. Because there is
I had no choice but to approach "white" gradually. Therefore, it is difficult to calculate the brightness for the "cloud" that is originally "white". According to the nineteenth invention , a plurality of color information (for example, orange, white, and gray) is prepared in advance, and the color information at a specific point is determined according to the light ray direction of the light source. Clouds dyed in color
(For example, the upper side is colored orange) can be easily expressed.

The twentieth invention is any of the first to eleventh inventions.
Game information of that invention and the inventions of the thirteenth to nineteenth inventions
Game information including the game information of a certain amount , wherein the first device and the second device are the same device, and the first virtual camera is connected to the second virtual device for the device. Means for making a camera, means for reflecting the texture information generated by the first generating means on the first cloud-shaped object, means for making the first cloud-shaped object the second cloud element , And includes information for operating the.

According to this twentieth invention , the first to the first
The effect of any one of the inventions of 1 and 13th to 19th
It is possible to realize game information having the effect of any one of the inventions of. Specifically, for example, to generate a first cloud-shaped object (second cloud) of a plate-like body, which is consistent with the line-of-sight direction of the first virtual camera (second virtual camera). In addition, it is possible to represent the second cloud-shaped object in various modes.

The game information according to the twenty-first aspect of the invention is the virtual camera (eg, FIG.
The virtual camera 100 shown in FIG. 2) generates an image of the object space and executes a given game, and a plurality of types of cloud elements (for example, a diagram in FIG. A means for generating a cloud-shaped object (for example, a middle cloud billboard in the embodiment) arranged in the object space by superimposing the small cloud texture 102 shown in FIG. 612 and middle cloud drawing unit 634) are game information that can be calculated by the processor to cause the functions.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention , since the cloud has a given animation, it is possible to represent the air flow. However, in the part where the cloud elements are overlapped, the given animation is also overlapped, so the airflow cannot be clearly expressed in that part, but the part where the cloud elements do not overlap or the part where the number of overlaps is small In, the airflow is represented. That is, for example, when cloud elements are overlapped and expressed with a bias near the center of the cloud-like object, the airflow near the center cannot be visually recognized, but the airflow at the periphery can be visually recognized, and a more realistic cloud can be created. Can be expressed.

The game information according to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention is calculated and controlled by the processor so that the third virtual camera (for example,
An image of the third object space viewed from the virtual camera 100) shown in FIG. 20 is generated, and a given arrangement position repeating pattern is developed for the third device which is to execute a given game. By doing so, the arrangement position determining means (for example, the middle cloud arrangement shown in FIG. 31) for deciding the arrangement position of a plurality of third cloud elements (for example, the middle cloud billboard in the embodiment) arranged in the third object space. Part 614)
A third arranging unit (for example, a middle cloud arranging unit 614 shown in FIG. 31) for arranging the third cloud element of the plate-like member at the arrangement position determined by the arrangement position determining unit; A game that can be calculated by the processor for causing the third arranging unit to face the third virtual camera in a given direction in a given direction (for example, the middle cloud arranging unit 614 shown in FIG. 31). Information.

Here, the third device may be a computer device or a portable / home / commercial game device. In addition, the given arrangement position repeating pattern is a pattern of arrangement positions in a certain unit area in which the arrangement position of the third cloud element is determined. For example, this pattern is defined as vertical 2 × horizontal 2 × height 2 By arranging (developing) in (3), it is possible to determine the arranging position of the third cloud element in an area having a size eight times (= 2 × 2 × 2) the unit area.

In other words, in the third object space,
The arrangement position of the third cloud element in an arbitrary region can be determined by developing this pattern. That is, this 22nd departure
According to Ming , the arrangement position of the third cloud element in the third object space can be easily determined. For example, the size of the arrangement position repeating pattern (the size of the unit area) is set to be substantially the same as the field of view of the third virtual camera,
When the third virtual camera is panned to the right, the third cloud, which cannot be seen from the left side of the visual field, appears from the right side of the visual field. That is, it is possible to determine the arrangement positions of all the third object spaces of the third cloud element only by the arrangement position repeating pattern. Further, since the third cloud element is a plate-like cloud element, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the image generation of the third object space.

A twenty-third invention is the game information of the twenty-second invention, in which a cloud arrangement layer is set to the third device at a given altitude in the third object space. Information (for example, cloud layer data 926 shown in FIG. 31) for operating the means (for example, the middle cloud placement unit 614 shown in FIG. 31) and the cloud placement layer within the cloud placement layer with respect to the third placement means. Information for arranging the third cloud element in the position of the third cloud element (for example, formula (11) in the embodiment)
And are included.

[0057] According to this configuration 23, the Kumomoto arrangement layer to place a third Kumomoto can be set to the third object space, a third Kumomoto besides this Kumomoto arrangement layer Will never be placed. Therefore, it is possible to control the altitude at which the third cloud element is arranged in the third object space. The thickness of the cloud disposition layer may be set. In that case, for example, the sardine cloud can be expressed by making the layer thin, and the cumulonimbus cloud can be expressed by making the layer thick.

The 24th invention is the 22nd or 23rd invention.
Bright game information, and for the third device, based on the distance from the third virtual camera (for example, the distance d in the embodiment), a third cloud arrangement region (for example, Information for operating the third cloud element region setting unit (for example, the cloud setting region determination unit 620 shown in FIG. 31) for setting the cloud setting region R shown in FIG. 20 and the third arrangement unit. On the other hand, the information for causing the third cloud element to be arranged in the third cloud element arrangement region is included.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the invention , for example, by setting the third cloud arrangement region only within the visual field of the virtual camera, it is possible to reduce the processing for the third cloud outside the visual field. Is.

The 25th invention is the 22nd to 24th inventions.
Which is one of the game information, and the transparency of each of the third cloud elements is set in the third device according to the arrangement position of the third cloud element in the third object space. The third cloud transparency setting unit (for example, the opacity setting unit 622 shown in FIG. 31) for performing the function is included.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect , for example, the shade of the cloud can be changed according to the position where the cloud is arranged. As a method for further embodying the present invention, for example, the 26th
And 27th invention .

For example, as in the 26th invention , the 25th invention
In the game information of the invention , a cloud distribution map (for example, a cloud distribution map 924 shown in FIG. 30) showing presence / absence of clouds in the third object space is displayed to the third cloud transparency setting unit. Based on the above, information for causing the function of setting the transparency of each of the third cloud elements may be included.

[0063] According to this configuration 26, in accordance with clouds distribution diagram, since the transparency of the third Kumomoto is set, you are possible to manage the display / non-display of clouds throughout the third object space . That is, the arrangement position of the third cloud element is the 22nd
Whether it is actually expressed (more accurately, whether or not the third cloud color is drawn), which is determined by the invention of
Is determined according to the cloud distribution map.

[0064] In addition, as in the 27th aspect of the present invention, the first 25 also
Is game information according to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention , wherein the third cloud element transparency setting means is configured to determine the third cloud element based on the distance from the third virtual camera to the third cloud elements. It is also possible to include information (for example, Expression (12) in the embodiment) for causing the cloud element to set the transparency of the cloud element.

According to the twenty-seventh invention , for example, the third
By setting so that the transparency of the third cloud element disposed close to the virtual camera is increased, the visibility from the third virtual camera is improved and the operability in the game can be improved.

A twenty-eighth invention is the game information of the twenty-fourth invention , wherein the distance from the third virtual camera to the third device is farther than the third cloud arrangement region. , Fourth cloud element region setting means (for example, cloud setting area determination unit 620 shown in FIG. 31) for setting a fourth cloud element arrangement area (for example, distant view cloud setting area Rf in the embodiment).
And fourth arranging means for arranging a plurality of plate-like fourth cloud elements in a substantially horizontal shape in the fourth cloud element arranging region (for example, FIG. 3).
And the information for operating the middle cloud arrangement unit 614) shown in FIG.

According to the 24th aspect of the invention , the third cloud-arranged region is set. However, if the third virtual-camera arranged region has a peripheral edge in the visual field of the third virtual camera, a contradiction occurs. obtain. That is, in the field of view of the third virtual camera, the third cloud element is arranged in the third cloud element arrangement region, but since the cloud element is not arranged in the area beyond the range. , The user knows the edge of the third cloud arrangement area,
Immersion in the game may be impaired. Therefore, the second
As in the eighth aspect of the invention , the above problem can be solved by setting the fourth cloud element arranging region far from the third cloud element arranging region. Here, in the third virtual camera, the fourth cloud element arrangement region is farther than the third cloud element arrangement region,
It is difficult for users to recognize even a simplified expression of cloud. Therefore, in the fourth cloud element arranging region, it is possible to simplify the process only by arranging the fourth cloud element of the plate-like body substantially horizontally.

In this case, as in the 29th invention,
28. The game information according to the invention of 28 , wherein the arrangement position of the fourth cloud element is determined by developing the given arrangement position repeating pattern used by the arrangement position determining means for the third device. Information for operating the determining means, and arranging the fourth cloud element in a substantially horizontal position at the determined arrangement position of the fourth cloud element with respect to the fourth arranging means, It is also possible to include the information for making it function as described above.

[0069] According to this configuration 29, as a reference in placing the third Kumomoto, the position repeating pattern, can be applied to the arrangement position of the fourth Kumomoto.
Therefore, the effect of the twenty-second invention can be obtained also for the fourth cloud element.

Further, as in the 30th invention , the 28th or
Is game information according to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, wherein a fourth cloud for setting transparency of each of the fourth cloud elements in the third device according to an arrangement position of the fourth cloud element. Information for operating the transparency setting unit may be included.

According to the thirtieth invention , for example, the shade of the cloud can be changed according to the arrangement position. As a method for further embodying the present invention, for example, the 31st invention or
There is a thirty-second invention .

For example, as in the 31st invention , the 30th invention
The game information of the invention , wherein the transparency of each of the fourth cloud elements is set to the fourth cloud element transparency setting unit based on a cloud distribution diagram indicating presence / absence of clouds in the third object space. It is also possible to include information for causing the function to set.

[0073] According to the thirty-first aspect, according cloud distribution chart, since the transparency of the fourth Kumomoto is set, you are possible to manage the display / non-display of clouds throughout the third object space . That is, the arrangement position of the fourth cloud element is the 30th
It is determined by the invention, whether actually expressed (more precisely, whether the color of the fourth Kumomoto is drawn)
Is determined according to the cloud distribution map. Of course, this cloud distribution map may be shared with the third cloud element.

[0074] Also, as in the thirty-second aspect, also the 30
Is game information according to the thirty-first aspect of the invention , wherein the fourth cloud element transparency setting means is configured to determine the fourth cloud element based on the distance from the third virtual camera to the fourth cloud elements. It is also possible to include information for setting the transparency of the cloud element, and causing it to function.

According to the thirty-second invention , for example, the third
By setting the transparency of the fourth cloud element arranged farther away from the third virtual camera to be gradually increased, the visibility in the distance from the third virtual camera is improved, and the fourth cloud element is also improved. Can be described as if it continues far or far.

The 33rd invention is the 13th to 20th inventions.
Of any one of the 22nd to 32nd inventions
Game information including any one of the game information, wherein the second device and the third device are the same device, and the second virtual camera is set to the third virtual device for the device. Means for making a camera, means for making the second object space the third object space, means for reflecting the texture information generated by the second generating means on the second cloud-shaped object, Means for causing the second cloud-shaped object to be the third cloud element, and information for causing the third cloud element to function.

According to the 33rd aspect of the invention,
The effect of any one of the twenty inventions and the twenty-second to third inventions
It is possible to realize game information having the effect of any one of the second aspect of the invention . Specifically, for example, the second cloud element can represent a second cloud-shaped object (third cloud element) that is a plate-like object but has various aspects, and The arrangement position calculation of the cloud-like object (third cloud) in the third object space can be simplified.

A thirty-fourth invention is the game information of the thirty-third invention , wherein the second generating means is caused to function so as to generate a plurality of types of texture information, and the device. In contrast, information for operating a means for generating a plurality of types of second cloud-shaped objects having different texture information by reflecting the plurality of types of texture information generated by the second generation means, and , The plurality of types of second with respect to the third placement means
It is characterized by including information for arranging the cloud-shaped object of, and causing it to function.

According to the thirty-fourth invention , a plurality of types of second cloud-shaped objects can be generated, that is, a plurality of types of third cloud elements can be created, so that they are represented in the third object space. The expression of cloud objects can be diversified.

The game information of the thirty-fifth invention is the virtual camera (eg, FIG.
When the position or line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera changes with respect to a device that is to execute a given game by generating an image of the object space viewed from the virtual camera 100) shown in FIG. By expressing the cloud-shaped object that has been present in the area (for example, the Nakanobi billboard in the embodiment) in the area that becomes the new field of view,
A means for artificially expressing that the space in which the cloud-shaped object exists continues (for example, the cloud sea generation unit 6 shown in FIG. 31).
18 and cloud sea drawing unit 640) are game information that can be calculated by the processor.

According to the thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention , the cloud-shaped object that is out of the field of view is newly expressed in the field of view due to the change of the position of the virtual camera,
In the object space, it is possible to express as if the cloud-like objects are continuously arranged, and it is possible to reduce the processing related to the image generation of the cloud-like objects.

The game information according to the thirty-sixth aspect of the invention is the virtual camera (eg, FIG.
The image of the object space viewed from the virtual camera 100) shown in FIG. 1 is generated, and the visual field of the virtual camera is changed in accordance with the change of the position of the virtual camera with respect to the device which executes the given game. A means for increasing the transparency of a cloud-like object approaching the virtual camera from near the center (for example, the middle cloud billboard in the embodiment) and decreasing the transparency for a cloud-like object moving from a distant field of view to near the center of the field of view. (For example, the opacity setting unit 622 shown in FIG. 31) is game information that can be calculated by the processor in order to function.

According to the thirty-sixth aspect, the transparency of the cloud-like object is high in the vicinity of the center of the field of view of the virtual camera, and the transparency is low near and far from the virtual camera. It can be an image of the object space (game image) with good properties.

[0084] Also, as in the 37th aspect, the first from the first
An information storage medium for storing game information according to any one of the thirty-six inventions may be realized.

A thirty-eighth invention is a game device for executing a given game by generating an image of an object space viewed from a virtual camera (for example, the virtual camera 100 shown in FIG. 2). Of a plurality of types of cloud elements (for example, the cloud part A shown in FIG. 3) prepared in advance according to the value of the given angle parameter (for example, the pitch angle X shown in FIG. 2).
(122), the cloud part B (124)) are combined at a given ratio according to the current value of the given angle parameter, and thus a plate placed in the object space toward the virtual camera. Texture information (for example, cloud texture 1 shown in FIG. 4) to be reflected on a cloud-shaped object (for example, cloud cloud billboard in the embodiment).
02) generating means (for example, the small cloud drawing unit 632 shown in FIG. 31).

According to the thirty-eighth aspect of the invention , for example, two cloud elements representing one side surface (for example, the front surface) and the other side surface (for example, the back surface) of the cloud-like object are prepared, and the two cloud elements are provided according to the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera. Then, the cloud can be switched. That is, since the cloud-shaped object is arranged toward the virtual camera, it is possible to easily express the front and back surfaces of the cloud-shaped object without contradiction.

Furthermore, since the texture information reflected in the cloud-shaped object is generated according to the current value of the angle parameter of the virtual camera, when the cloud-shaped object is arranged in the object space, There is no need to consider the vertical and horizontal directions. That is, for example, when the roll angle of the virtual camera changes, it is necessary to rotate the cloud-shaped object according to the roll angle,
Since the texture information is generated according to the roll angle, the cloud-shaped object is simply arranged in the object space (more accurately, the position where the cloud-shaped object is arranged is determined in the object space). It's done.

A thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention is a game device for executing a given game by generating an image of an object space viewed from a virtual camera (for example, the virtual camera 100 shown in FIG. 14), which is a cloud model space. Arrangement means (for example, the middle cloud generation unit 612 shown in FIG. 31) for arranging a plurality of cloud elements (for example, the small cloud billboards 24-1 to 32 shown in FIG. 14) in (for example, the middle cloud coordinate system shown in FIG. 14). ) And a texture that is reflected on the cloud object of a plate-like object (for example, the middle cloud billboard in the embodiment) arranged toward the virtual camera in the object space by perspective transformation of the cloud model space. A generation unit (for example, FIG. 31) that generates information (for example, a medium cloud texture in the embodiment).
And a middle cloud drawing unit 634 shown in FIG.

According to the thirty-ninth aspect, although the cloud-like object arranged in the object space is a plate-like object, it is possible to express cloud-like objects in various forms. Because the texture information generated in the cloud-like object and generated by the generation means is perspective transformation of the cloud model space in which a plurality of cloud elements are arranged, various texture information is generated depending on the perspective transformation method. This is because it is possible to generate Also according to the invention,
The processing related to the object space and the processing for generating the texture information can be processed separately, and the processing load related to the object space can be reduced. The second cloud may be formed of a plate-shaped body.

A fortieth aspect of the present invention is a game apparatus for executing a given game by generating an image of an object space viewed from a virtual camera (for example, the virtual camera 100 shown in FIG. 14). Of a plurality of types of cloud elements (for example, the cloud part A shown in FIG. 3) prepared in advance according to the value of the given angle parameter (for example, the pitch angle X shown in FIG. 2).
(122) and the cloud part B (124)) are combined at a given ratio according to the current value of the given angle parameter to obtain texture information (for example, the cloud texture 102 shown in FIG. 4). The first generation means (for example, the small cloud drawing unit 632 shown in FIG. 31) to be generated and the texture information generated by the first generation means are used to generate the first cloud-shaped object (for example, Of the first cloud-like object in the cloud model space (for example, the middle cloud coordinate system in the embodiment) and a means (for example, the middle cloud drawing unit 634) for reflecting it on the small cloud billboard in the above form. Arrangement means (for example, the middle cloud generation unit 61 shown in FIG. 31)
2) and the perspective transformation of the cloud model space,
Texture information (for example, the middle cloud texture in the embodiment) to be reflected on the second cloud-shaped object (for example, the middle cloud billboard in the embodiment) of the plate-shaped object arranged in the object space toward the virtual camera. ) Is generated by the second generation means (for example, the middle cloud drawing unit 634 shown in FIG. 31).

According to the 40th aspect of the present invention , for example, it is possible to generate the first cloud-shaped object having a plate-like body, which is consistent with the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera, and the first cloud-shaped object of various modes can be generated. Two cloud-like objects can be represented.

The forty-first invention is a game device which generates an image of an object space viewed from a virtual camera (for example, the virtual camera 100 shown in FIG. 20) and executes a given game. Arrangement position deciding means (eg, middle cloud arrangement shown in FIG. 31) for deciding the arrangement position of a plurality of cloud elements (for example, middle cloud billboard in the embodiment) arranged in the object space by expanding the arrangement position repeating pattern. Section 614), and an arranging means (for example, a middle cloud arranging section 614 shown in FIG. 31) for arranging the cloud element of the plate-like body at the arrangement position determined by the arrangement position determining means,
A facing arrangement means for directing the cloud element in a given direction with respect to the virtual camera (for example, a middle cloud arrangement unit 61 shown in FIG. 31).
4) and a game device.

Here, the given arrangement position repeating pattern is a pattern of arrangement positions in a certain unit area in which the arrangement position of cloud is determined. For example, this pattern is defined as vertical 2 × horizontal 2 × high. By arranging (developing) in size 2, it is possible to determine the arrangement position of the cloud element in the area that is eight times as large as the unit area (= 2 × 2 × 2).

In other words, the arrangement position of cloud elements in an arbitrary area of the object space can be determined by developing this pattern. That is, according to the 41st invention ,
It is possible to easily determine the arrangement position of cloud elements in the object space. For example, if the size of the arrangement position repeating pattern (size of the above unit area) is set to be substantially the same as the field of view of the virtual camera and the virtual camera is panned to the right, the cloud elements that cannot be seen from the left side of the field of view are It will appear from the right side of the field of view. That is, it is possible to determine the arrangement positions of all the object spaces of the cloud element only by the arrangement position repeating pattern. Further, since the cloud is a plate-shaped cloud, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the image generation in the object space.

A forty-second invention is a game device for generating an image of an object space viewed from a virtual camera (for example, the virtual camera 100 shown in FIG. 20) and executing a given game, which is a cloud model space. A cloud element arranging unit (for example, a cloud element arranging unit for arranging a plurality of cloud elements (for example, the small cloud billboard in the embodiment) in (for example, the medium cloud coordinate system in the embodiment))
31 and a generation unit that generates texture information by perspectively transforming the cloud model space (for example, the middle cloud drawing unit 634 shown in FIG. 31).
And means for reflecting the texture information generated by the generation means on a cloud-shaped object of a plate-like object (for example, the middle cloud billboard in the embodiment) (for example, the cloud sea drawing unit 640 shown in FIG. 31), Arrangement position deciding means (for example, the middle cloud arrangement unit 6 shown in FIG. 31) for deciding the arrangement position of the plurality of cloud-shaped objects arranged in the object space by expanding a given arrangement position repeating pattern.
14) and cloud-shaped object placement means for placing the cloud-shaped object at the placement position determined by the placement position determination means (for example, the middle cloud placement unit 61 shown in FIG. 31).
4), and a facing arrangement unit (for example, a middle cloud arrangement unit 614 shown in FIG. 31) that faces the virtual camera in a given direction with respect to the virtual camera.

According to the forty-second aspect of the present invention , for example, cloud elements can represent a cloud-shaped object having a plate-like body but having various forms, and the arrangement position of the cloud-shaped object in the object space. The calculation can be simplified.

[0097]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description will be given by taking an airplane game as an example, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a home-use game machine. In FIG. 1, the player operates the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while watching the game image displayed on the display 1200 to operate the airplane and enjoy the airplane game. In this case, information necessary for playing a game such as a game program is stored in a CD-ROM 1206, an IC card 1208, a memory card 1212 and the like which are removable information storage media in the main unit.

In such an airplane game, the position and the direction of the airplane change variously according to the operation of the player, so that the position, the angle, etc. of the virtual camera when the game image is generated change variously. The present invention thus provides
It represents the clouds included in the game image consistently with respect to changes in the position and angle of the virtual camera. Hereinafter, according to the present invention, 1. Principle 2. Function, 3. The operation will be described in detail.

1. Principle First, the principle of the present invention will be described. In the present invention, when generating a cloud (sea of clouds) set in the object space, first, a small cloud that is a small cloud is generated, and then a middle cloud that is a set of the small clouds is generated. A sea of clouds is generated and expressed as a set of. The generation principle of small clouds, medium clouds and sea of clouds will be described below.

1- (1) Small Cloud Generation Principle Hereinafter, the principle of generation of small clouds (texture expressing small clouds (hereinafter referred to as small cloud texture 102)) will be described with reference to FIGS. To do. Note that the generated cloud texture 102 is a texture having only transparency (opacity α) (hereinafter referred to as α texture), but for the sake of easy understanding of the relation with the processing described later, one polygon is used for convenience. (Hereafter, referred to as a virtual propeller polygon.)
It is illustrated and described as if it is generated as.

FIG. 2A shows a virtual camera 100 in the object space (based on the world coordinate system).
It is a figure showing this generated cloud texture 102. As shown in the figure, the small cloud texture 102 is set so as to always face perpendicularly to the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 100.

The types of parameters relating to the virtual camera 100 include a virtual camera position and a virtual camera angle. The virtual camera position is a parameter indicating the position (Xw, Yw, Zw) of the virtual camera 100 in the world coordinate system. The virtual camera angle is, as shown in FIG. 2B, an angle X (hereinafter, pitch angle X) representing a pitch angle (vertical swing angle, elevation angle and depression angle) of the virtual camera 100, a yaw angle (horizontal). Parameter represented by an angle Y (hereinafter, yaw angle Y) that represents the swinging angle of the direction, and an angle Z (hereinafter, roll angle Z) that represents the roll angle (rotation angle (twist) about the line-of-sight direction) Is.

However, the range of possible values of the pitch angle X is −90 ° ≦ X ≦ 90 °, where the elevation angle is positive and the depression angle is negative.

In addition to the above parameters, various parameters such as the angle of view representing the field of view range (zoom ratio) are used as necessary.

For the cloud texture 102, the opacity (hereinafter referred to as α value) of the airflow texture 104 is set to the cloud part A (122) as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG.
The α value of the airflow texture 104 is set to the cloud part B (124), the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124)
It is generated by synthesizing the α values of. The cloud parts A (122) and B (124) and the airflow texture 104 are α textures having only α values, and the small cloud texture 102 is also an α texture as described above. The α value is a parameter representing opacity, and is a number from “0” to “1”, in which “0” represents complete transparency, and “1.0” represents opaque state. .

In the cloud part A (122), the pitch angle X of the virtual camera 100 is 0 °, that is, the virtual camera 100.
Of the cloud part B (124) in which the pitch angle X of the virtual camera 100 is ± 90 °, that is, the direction of the line of sight of the virtual camera 100 is the vertical direction. This is the assumed α texture.

The airflow texture 104 is a texture that represents a temporal change of the α value by animation and expresses an airflow in a predetermined direction. However, when the airflow texture 104 is captured instantaneously, it is considered to represent the distribution of the static α value.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the small cloud texture 102, and FIG. 5 shows an example of the cloud part A (122) (FIG. 7A) and the mask 112 for cloud part A (FIG. 4B). 6 and 6 are diagrams showing an example of the cloud part B (124) (FIG. 6A) and the mask 114 for the cloud part B (FIG. 6B), and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the airflow texture 104. is there.

Here, the small cloud texture 102, the cloud part A (122), the cloud part B (124), the cloud part A mask 112, the cloud part B mask 114 and the air flow texture 104 are each 36 (= 6 ×). 6) It is assumed to be composed of texels, and the coordinates of each texel are [n,
m]. However, n, m = 0, 1, 2, 3,
4 and 5. Also, the α value of texel [n, m] of the airflow texture 104 is α [n, m], and the cloud part A (12
The α value of texel [n, m] of 2) is α _A [n, m], and the α value of texel [n, m] of cloud part B (124) is α _B.
[N, m], the texel of the cloud texture 102 [n, m]
The α value of m] is expressed as Cα [n, m].

The cloud part A mask 112 is a bit pattern for specifying the shape of the cloud part A (122), and the cloud part B mask 114 is a cloud part B (1).
24) is a bit pattern for specifying the shape, and both are “0” or “1” in each texel [n, m].
The value of is preset.

First, the value of the mask 112 for the cloud part A is set in each texel [n, m] of the cloud part A (122),
The value of the cloud part B mask 114 is set to each texel [n, m] of the cloud part B (124). That is, α _A [n, m] = M _A [n, m] α _B [n, m] = M _B [n, m] (1) Here, M _A [n, m] denotes a bit value for each texel clouds parts A mask 112, M _B [n,
m] represents the bit value of each texel of the mask 114 for cloud part B.

From this equation (1), the cloud part A (12
In 2) and cloud part B (124), the shape of the cloud with the value "0" or "1" is set.

Next, according to the pitch angle X of the virtual camera 100, the α value of the texel [n, m] of the airflow texture 104 corresponding to each texel [n, m] of the cloud part A (122) is set. At the same time, the α value of the texel [n, m] of the airflow texture 104 corresponding to each texel [n, m] of the cloud part B (124) is set. _{That, α A [n, m]} ← α [n, m] × cosX × α A [n, m] α B [n, m] ← α [n, m] × sin | X | × α B [n , M] (2). Here, ← is an operator that means assignment,
This means assigning the result of the operation on the right side to the variable on the left side.

That is, for example, the α value of the airflow texture 104 is reflected in the texel [n, m] in which the value "1" is stored in the cloud part A (122), and conversely, the value " This means that the α value of the airflow texture 104 is not reflected in the texel [n, m] in which “0” is stored. Therefore, by using the mask 112 for cloud parts A and the mask 114 for cloud parts B of the formula (1), the cloud parts A (12
2) and the shape of the cloud part B (124) are shaped, and the animation of the airflow texture 104 causes the cloud particles in the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124) to flow over time. Can be expressed.

Further, in equation (2), the virtual camera 100
Α of the airflow texture 104 reflected in the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124) according to the pitch angle X of
The value will change.

For example, when the line of sight of the virtual camera 100 is parallel to the horizontal plane, that is, when the pitch angle X = 0 °, α _A [n, m] ← α [n, m] × α _A [n, m] α _B [n, m] ← 0 × α _B [n, m], and α _A [n, m] of the cloud part A (122) is
Α [n, m] of the airflow texture 104 is set. Also, α _B [n, m] of cloud part B (124)
Does not reflect α [n, m] of the airflow texture 104.

Similarly, when the pitch angle X = 45 °, α _A [n, m] ← α [n, m] × (1 / √2) × α
_A [n, m] α _B [n, m] ← α [n, m] × (1 / √2) × α
_B [n, m].

When the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 100 is directly above or below, that is, the pitch angle X = 90 °.
Alternatively, in the case of −90 °, α _A [n, m] ← 0 × α _A [n, m] α _B [n, m] ← α [n, m] × α _B [n, m] Then, in α _B [n, m] of cloud part B (124),
Alpha [n, m] of the air current texture 104 but is to be set, α _A [n, m] clouds part A (122), the fact that alpha [n, m] of the air flow texture 104 are not reflected Becomes

Further, here, the air flow texture 10 to be reflected by the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124).
The direction of the air flow of 4 may be changed. For example,
Formula (2) is modified as follows. α _A [n, m] ← α [n, m] × cos X × α _A [n,
m] α _B [n, m] ← α [(5-n), (5-m)] × si
n | X | × α _B [n, m] By using such a formula, the same airflow texture 104 is used, but the cloud part A (122) can be simply described.
With the cloud part B (124), it is possible to change the direction of the air flow. Further, by further modifying the equation (2), a part of the airflow texture 104 may be enlarged and reflected in the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124).

Next, the α value of each texel [n, m] of the cloud part A (122) and the α value of each texel [n, m] of the cloud part B (124) are summed to obtain a small value. The α value of each texel [n, m] of the cloud texture 102 is determined. That, Cα [n, m] = α A [n, m] + α B [n, m] is determined as (3). However, in the formula (3), the α value may exceed “1.0”, and in this case, the α value of the texel is set to “1.0”.

FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an example of the airflow texture 104, and FIGS. 8A and 8B show the cloud part A () in which the opacity (α value) of the airflow texture 104 is reflected. 122) ((a) in the figure), Cloud Parts B (124)
It is a figure which shows an example of the same figure (b). In addition, FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of the small cloud texture 102 produced | generated by synthesize | combining the said cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124). FIG. 7A shows the case of pitch angle X = 90 °, FIG. 7B shows the case of pitch angle X = 45 °, and FIG. 7C shows the case of pitch X = 0 °. It is a figure showing each. In FIGS. 8 and 9, in order to make it easy to visually recognize the α value, the portion where the α value is “1” is “white”.
And as the α value approaches “0”, it approaches “black”. That is, FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams in which the α value is represented as the shade of color.

As described above, according to the present principle, the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124) are combined according to the pitch angle X of the virtual camera 100.
Although it is a simple method, it is possible to express a cloud with a three-dimensional effect.

That is, in the prior art, one polygon (hereinafter referred to as a peller polygon) onto which the texture of a cloud is mapped is always fixed in the vertical and horizontal positions with respect to the virtual camera 100, and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 100 is fixed. The method of arranging vertically was adopted. However, according to this method, the cloud does not change at all even if the position of the virtual camera 100, the direction of the line of sight, or the like changes, and thus the expression is uncomfortable. Furthermore, an event occurs in which the peller polygon of the cloud changes unintentionally with respect to the change of the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 100. That is, for example, when the elevation angle or the depression angle in the line-of-sight direction becomes large, the cloud is inverted and expressed at the angle of ± 90 °.

This is because the pitch angle (elevation angle or depression angle) of the virtual camera 100 can be in the range of −90 °.
Since it is 90 °, the pitch angle θ ₂ exceeding ± 90 ° is
This is due to the setting of θ ₂ ′ (<90 °) as shown in FIG.

This principle is based on this unintended cloud texture 1
It also solves the inversion expression of 02. That is, by preparing two cloud parts A (122) and cloud parts B (124) and synthesizing them according to the pitch angle of the virtual camera 100, the phenomenon that the cloud is inverted at a certain angle cannot occur. .

Further, the composition ratio of the two cloud parts A (122) and B (124) is gradually changed according to the change of the pitch angle X (that is, the two cloud parts A ( 122), which corresponds to determining the opacity α of the cloud part B (124)), and smoothly changes the shape of the cloud according to the change in the pitch angle of the virtual camera 100,
Can be expressed.

Furthermore, since the airflow texture 104 is combined with each cloud part A (122) and cloud part B (124), two cloud parts A (122) and cloud parts B are used.
The cloud edge of (124) can be made ambiguous, and a more natural cloud can be expressed.

Next, the case where a cloud is realized only by the small cloud generation principle will be described. In the above description, the method of generating the small cloud texture 102 as an α texture has been described, but the expression as a cloud can be realized by adding the following processing.

The first method is a method of expressing a cloud by determining RGB values corresponding to the α value of the texel in each texel forming the generated cloud cloud texture 102.

Specifically, for example, the cloud texture 10
When expressing two colors in monochrome, the RGB value of “white” is (255, 255, 255), and the RG of “black”
The B value is (0,0,0). Therefore, in the generated cloud texture 102, the RGB value (255, 255) is set so that the texel having an α value of “1” becomes “white”.
255, 255), and the RGB value of the texel is set so that the white becomes gradually lighter as the α value approaches “0” (for example, RGB value = 255 ×).
α value).

As a result, it is possible to easily realize the expression of a cloud having shading as shown in FIG.

In the second method, RGB values are preliminarily assigned to each texel forming the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124).
It is a method of setting the value.

Specifically, RGB values are set in advance in each texel of the cloud part A (122) and cloud part B (124), and the α value of each texel is determined by the airflow texture 104. Then, the cloud part 102 is generated by α-blending the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124).

As a result, for example, the cloud part A (1
22) The only preset color is "black", and cloud part B
If the only color preset in (124) is “white”,
When the cloud texture 102 is viewed from the horizontal direction (when the pitch angle is X = 0 °), the color of the cloud texture 102 is “black”. Then, as the pitch angle X gradually changes, it gradually appears as "gray" (a color in which "white" is mixed with "black"), and when the pitch angle X is further increased,
The proportion of "white" mixed in becomes large, and finally when viewed from above or below (when the pitch angle X = 90 °)
It is possible to realize the expression of clouds that look “white”.

Each cloud part A (122), cloud part B
By arbitrarily changing the cloud color (RGB value) preset to (124), it is possible to realize the cloud expression having various different colors depending on the pitch angle X of the line of sight of the virtual camera 100.

For example, as the cloud part B (124), the cloud part B-1 used when the pitch angle X of the virtual camera 100 is a depression angle and the cloud part used when the pitch angle X of the virtual camera 100 is an elevation angle. It is also possible to set two types of cloud parts B, B-2, and to switch between cloud parts B-1 and B-2 according to the pitch angle X of the virtual camera. For example, one type of cloud part B (12
4) is used to generate the cloud texture 102, the same cloud texture is generated when the top surface and the bottom surface of the cloud are viewed, but the cloud part B-1 and the cloud part B are generated. By switching between -2, the shape of the cloud can be made different between the cloud texture 102 when the top surface of the cloud is viewed and the cloud texture 102 when the bottom surface of the cloud is viewed, A more consistent cloud shape can be achieved.

Similarly, as the cloud part A (122), a plurality of types of cloud parts A (122) corresponding to the yaw angle Y of the virtual camera 100 are set, and the cloud depending on the yaw angle Y of the virtual camera 100 is set. The parts A may be switched.

The cloud parts A (122) and the cloud parts B (124) generated by the above-mentioned small cloud generation principle are
The α value of the airflow texture is reflected, and the small cloud texture 102 is generated by synthesizing the two types of cloud part A (122) and cloud part B (124). For this reason, the small cloud texture 102 is expressed as a cloud having an airflow over the entire cloud, and the particles of the cloud are expressed as if they are moving over the entire cloud. Such a phenomenon is not necessarily good when expressing a realistic cloud.

However, based on the medium cloud generation principle described later, a plurality of small cloud textures 102 are used to generate a medium cloud, so that the small cloud texture 10 is generated in a certain range.
Since 2 is concentrated to generate a middle cloud texture, a middle cloud texture with low transparency at the center and high transparency as it approaches the periphery is generated. Therefore, it is possible to express a realistic cloud in which the airflow is expressed only at the edge of the middle cloud.

1- (2) Middle Cloud Generation Principle Next, the middle cloud generation principle will be described. Here, the middle cloud means a collection of small clouds (small clouds).
The small cloud means the small cloud texture 102 having only the opacity (α value) generated by the above-described method, and 32 copies of this texture are three-dimensionally distributed in the middle cloud model space. To generate a medium cloud. The middle cloud model space is a local coordinate system for generating a middle cloud (hereinafter, this middle cloud model space is referred to as a middle cloud coordinate system). Then, the opacity of each small cloud texture 102 arranged three-dimensionally is drawn based on the virtual camera 100, and a color corresponding to the positional relationship between the virtual camera 100 and the light source is colored, so that the middle cloud Generate a texture.

Specifically, one middle cloud is composed of 32 pieces of Pella polygons. However, the α texture of the small cloud texture 102 is mapped on the surface of each peller polygon (however, the side facing the virtual camera 100).
Further, each of the peller polygons has only the coordinates and size of the representative point in the middle cloud coordinate system defined, and its surface may intersect perpendicularly to the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 100 during game execution. It is a rotating billboard.

In the following, the individual peller polygons forming this middle cloud will be referred to as small cloud billboards. Then, when generating the medium cloud texture, first, the small cloud texture 102 is generated.
The α value of each small cloud billboard designated by is drawn on a given plane coordinate based on the virtual camera 100. On the other hand, the color information given to the cloud is determined according to the positional relationship between the virtual camera 100 and the light source in the object space, and the cloud texture is generated by coloring according to the drawn α value.

When the small cloud texture 102 is generated, the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (124) are
Since the virtual cloud 100 is rotated according to the roll angle Z, the generated cloud texture 102 is generated by the virtual camera 1.
The vertical and horizontal positions change according to the roll angle Z of 00. Therefore, the small cloud billboard 102 onto which the small cloud texture 102 is mapped has the vertical, horizontal and horizontal positions of the virtual camera 10.
Since it depends on the roll angle Z of 0, it suffices to arrange it at the representative point.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of images of four types of middle clouds 202, 204, 206 and 208 generated by applying the present invention. Each middle cloud shown in the figure is generated by arranging 32 small cloud billboards with different distributions and setting all other conditions to the same. That is, in the image generation of each middle cloud, the α textures (that is, the small cloud textures 102) mapped to each small cloud billboard are all the same, and the positional relationship between each middle cloud and the virtual camera 100, and the object. The settings such as the positional relationship between the virtual camera 100 and the light source in the space were all the same. According to the figure, each cloud has different appearance such as shape, transparency, and stereoscopic effect. Thus, in the present invention, 32
By simply changing the distribution of each small cloud billboard, multiple different middle clouds are generated. Further, since the color information is determined based on the positional relationship between the virtual camera 100 and the light source in the object space, it is possible to recognize that the directions of the light sources inferred from the respective images are the same.

In the following, the textures of the four middle clouds 202, 204, 206 and 208 as shown in FIG.
A method of generating a medium cloud texture) will be described in detail. In the following, as an initial setting, after explaining a method of distributing the small cloud billboards forming each medium cloud, as the drawing of the small cloud billboards, a method of drawing an aggregate of small cloud billboards, that is, A method of drawing and coloring the opacity α of each small cloud billboard will be described.

Initial Settings In the initial settings, the distribution of small cloud billboards and the size of each small cloud billboard are set. Specifically, the medium cloud coordinate system is defined for each medium cloud, the coordinates of 32 small cloud billboards are set, and the size of each small cloud billboard is determined. It is stored as the data of Nakamura. Regarding the size and distribution settings of the Komomu billboard,
In order to generate a medium cloud that is closer to the natural body, we use random numbers. That is, the coordinates and size of each small cloud billboard are determined by random numbers.

When determining the coordinates of the small cloud billboard,
A random number is generated for each component in the coordinates. However, if random numbers are generated indefinitely, an unnecessarily large value may be obtained. For this reason, a lower limit and an upper limit are set for the generated random numbers, and settings are made so that values within a predetermined range can be obtained.
However, when a random number is generated, the probability of appearance is the same for all values within the range from the lower limit to the upper limit. Therefore, if the obtained random numbers are directly adopted as the coordinate components of the small cloud billboard, the 32 small cloud billboards will be evenly distributed in a given cube, like the middle cloud shown in FIG. It is not possible to express the clouds gathered in one part.
Therefore, in order to impart a bias to the distribution, when determining the coordinates of one small cloud billboard, a plurality of random numbers are generated for each component of each coordinate and the average value is adopted.

Specifically, the value of each component is determined by the following formula. _{x n = (R 1 + R} 2 + R 3 + R 4) / 4- (R max -R min) / 2 y n = (R 5 + R 6 + R 7 + R 8) / 4- (R max -R min) / 2 _{z n = (R 9 + R} 10 + R 11 + R 12) / 4- (R max -R min) / 2 ... (4) _{here, (x n, y n,} z n) are configured one Chukumo Means the coordinates of the n-th billboard, and R _{1 to} R ₁₂ represent independently generated random numbers. Further, R _max means the maximum value (upper limit) of the generated random number, and R _min means the minimum value (lower limit). For example, R _max = 10
If 0 and R _min = 0 are set, the random number generation range is
Centering on the origin in the middle cloud coordinate system, the length of one side is "1"
It becomes a cube of 00 ".

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the middle cloud coordinate system (x, y, z), showing an example in which representative points of the small cloud billboard are distributed based on the equation (4). The broken line in the figure shows the range of random number generation. In addition, the coordinates of the representative points of each small cloud billboard are shown by points. As described above, by using the formula (4) to determine the coordinates of the cloud cloud billboard by a plurality of random numbers, it is possible to configure an assembly of cloud cloud billboards having a distribution biased to the origin.

In the formula (4), four random numbers are used for one component, but the number is not limited to this. For example, if you increase the number of random numbers adopted,
The small cloud billboard is more likely to be placed near the origin, and a more skewed distribution can be achieved. Conversely, if the number of adopted random numbers is set to be small, a distribution with a small bias can be applied. This means that the same effect can be recognized by manipulating the random number generation range in Expression (4). That is, if the random number generation range is set large, the bias of the distribution is reduced, and if the generation range is set small,
The distribution bias can be increased. Therefore, the number and range of random numbers to be adopted may be changed according to the shape and size of the generated middle cloud, the stereoscopic effect, and the like.

On the other hand, the size of the small cloud billboard is determined as follows. That is, each small cloud billboard is defined as a square, and the length ws of one side thereof is determined by a random number. ws = 1.0 + R _w (5) Here, R _w means a random number, and its generation range is 0.0.
≦ R _w ≦ 1.0. That is, each middle cloud has a side length w
It can be constituted by an assembly of small cloud billboards of various sizes, where s satisfies 1.0 ≦ ws ≦ 2.0.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of four small cloud distribution data 210a to 210d which store the coordinates and size of each small cloud billboard determined by the initial setting. According to the figure, the four cloud distribution data 210a to 210d include the code (N
O. ), And each component of the coordinates to place each small cloud billboard,
Also, the length ws of one side is stored. During the game execution, each cloud cloud billboard is controlled based on the data stored in the cloud distribution data 210a to 210d. In addition,
In the figure, the small cloud distribution data 210a to 210d corresponding to the four medium clouds are shown as being stored independently, but the small cloud billboards of the four medium clouds may be stored together. That is, 128 cloud cloud billboards may be stored as one cloud distribution data. The initial setting may be performed immediately before the game is executed, and a different middle cloud may be generated each time.

Drawing a Cloud Cloud Billboard Next, a process of drawing a cloud cloud billboard during the execution of the game will be described.

FIG. 14A shows the middle cloud coordinate system (x, y,
z) is a schematic depiction of the Komo billboard 24
It is a figure for demonstrating the positional relationship of the virtual camera (henceforth cloud viewpoint 220) for drawing -1 to 32, the origin of a middle cloud coordinate system, and the projection screen 22. Here, the projection screen 22 is a small cloud billboard 24-1.
Is a projection plane for projecting the aggregate of .about.32, and the plane is perpendicular to the line-of-sight vector 34 of the virtual camera 100 in the world coordinate system. Further, as shown in the figure, the cloud viewpoint 220, the origin of the middle cloud coordinate system, and the center point 22a of the projection screen 22 are one straight line 26 parallel to the line-of-sight vector 34 of the virtual camera 100 in the world coordinate system. Placed on top. Therefore, the line-of-sight vector of the cloud viewpoint 220 becomes equal to the line-of-sight vector 34 of the virtual camera 100 in the world coordinate system. In addition,
In the middle cloud coordinate system, the distance between the cloud viewpoint 220 and the projection screen 22 with respect to the origin is fixed.

FIG. 14B shows the world coordinate system (Xw, Yw, Zw) defining the object space and the middle cloud coordinate system (x, y, z) shown in FIG. 14A. . According to the figure, a straight line 36 connecting the screen 32 for displaying the object space and the virtual camera 100, a cloud viewpoint 220 passing through the origin of the middle cloud coordinate system, and a straight line connecting the center point 22a of the projection screen 22. 26 is parallel to. That is, when the coordinates of the virtual camera 100 and the screen 32 in the world coordinate system are determined during the game execution, the line-of-sight vector 34 from the virtual camera 100 toward the screen 32 is calculated. Then, based on the inclination of the line-of-sight vector 34, the cloud viewpoint 22 in the middle cloud coordinate system.
0 and the coordinates of the projection screen 22 are determined. Note that FIG.
In FIG. 4B, the middle cloud coordinate system is arranged in the world coordinate system in order to explain the positional relationship, but it is not actually arranged. Therefore, the distribution of Komo billboard 24 is
It does not prevent the placement and drawing of other objects in the world coordinate system.

As described above, the positions of the cloud viewpoint 220 and the projection screen 22 are determined so as to be parallel to the line-of-sight vector 34 of the virtual camera 100, and each small cloud billboard is projected on the projection screen based on the cloud viewpoint 220. 22 is projected and converted. However, at this time, the apices of the small cloud billboards are arranged so that the planes of the 32 small cloud billboards 24-1 to 32 in the middle cloud coordinate system intersect perpendicularly to the line-of-sight vector 34 of the virtual camera 100. Determine the coordinates. Then, projection conversion to the projection screen 22 is performed for each vertex. That is, when projecting one small cloud billboard onto the projection screen 22, the coordinates of the representative point of the corresponding small cloud billboard and the length of one side are selected from the small cloud distribution data 210a to 210d generated in the initial setting. The width ws is read out, and based on the read value, the direction of the line-of-sight vector 34 is set as the normal direction, and four vertices of the surface centered on the coordinates of the representative point are calculated. Then, by projecting the calculated four vertices on the projection screen 22, the projection process of the small cloud billboard is performed.

Alternatively, in the projection processing of the small cloud billboard 24, the fact that the small cloud billboard 24 and the projection screen 22 in the medium cloud coordinate system are always parallel to each other,
The projection process may be short-circuited as follows. First, the coordinates of the representative point of the small cloud billboard in the middle cloud coordinate system are projected on the projection screen 22. On the other hand, the length ws of one side of the corresponding small cloud billboard 24 is converted into the length ws ′ in the coordinate system of the projection screen 22 (that is, the length ws
For the perspective transformation). Then, in the coordinate system of the projection screen 22, a vertex of a square having a side length ws ′ centered on the coordinates of the projected representative point of the cloud cloud billboard 24 is obtained. Like this, Komu Billboard 2
By directly obtaining the coordinates of the vertices 4 in the coordinate system of the projection screen 22, the plurality of small cloud billboards 2
It is possible to reduce the drawing processing of 4-1 to 32.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a middle cloud buffer 40 for storing image data of one middle cloud texture. According to the figure, the middle cloud buffer 40 has 10
This is a memory for storing RGB color information of 0 × 100 texels and an α value, which are separately stored in an RGB plane 42 and an α plane 44, respectively. In addition, Naka cloud buffer 4
Each texel at 0 corresponds to the coordinate system (X _S , Y _S ) of the projection screen 22. That is, when the small cloud billboard 24 in the medium cloud coordinate system is projected on the projection screen 22, the texel of the medium cloud buffer 40 corresponding to the coordinates of each vertex of the small cloud billboard 24 in the coordinate system of the projection screen 22 can be determined. . Then, for the α plane 44 of the texel in the range surrounded by the determined texels, the α value (C
a) is given. However, the α value is additively given to the α plane 44 of each texel. That is, when a plurality of small cloud billboards 24 are projected on one texel in the middle cloud buffer 40, all α values are added and stored. If α> 1 is obtained by adding α values, values exceeding 1 will be truncated.

As described above, the three-dimensionally arranged cloud cloud billboards 24-1 to 32 are drawn in accordance with the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 100 in the object space, so that the position of the virtual camera 100 changes every time. The appearance will change. Therefore, although the generated middle cloud texture is flat, it can give a three-dimensional impression. Further, the appearance of the middle clouds changes in an orderly manner according to the distribution in the three-dimensional space, so that the clouds can be represented without giving a feeling of strangeness.

In addition, R of the middle cloud buffer 40 shown in FIG.
The color information given to the GB plane 42 includes the light source in the object space, the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 100, and
The projection screen 22 in the middle cloud coordinate system (more accurately, it is a “middle cloud billboard” in the object space corresponding to the projection screen 22. This principle explains the principle related to the “middle cloud”. Therefore, it will be described as a “projection screen” hereinafter). More specifically, a specific point for determining the positional relationship between the projection screen 22 (corresponding middle cloud billboard in the object space; the same applies below) and the light source is set on the projection screen 22. For example, a plurality of points such as the vertex of the projection screen 22, the midpoint of each side of the projection screen 22, and the center point of the projection screen 22 are set as specific points. During the game execution, the positional relationship between each specific point set on the projection screen 22 and the light source is determined, and the specific point determined to be close to the light source is given a bright color.
A dark color is determined for the specific point corresponding to the position away from the light source. Then, the color information determined for each specific point on the projection screen 22 is stored in the RGB plane 42 of the corresponding texel on the middle cloud buffer 40. For other texels on the middle cloud buffer 40, the method of glow shading, that is, the intermediate color of the colors given to each specific point is calculated and given.

The process of determining the positional relationship between each specific point on the projection screen 22 and the light source is performed by vector calculation. That is, each specific point set on the projection screen 22 is given a specific vector, and the specific vector of each specific point is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the projection screen 22 during the execution of the game. Then, the angle formed by the light vector 38 of the light source in the object space and each specific vector of the projection screen 22 is calculated, and the color corresponding to the angle is determined as the color of the specific point. In the following, for simplicity, the light source is an infinite light source. That is, as shown in FIG. 14B, the light vector 38 (hereinafter referred to as a ray vector 38) uniformly illuminates the entire object space and is a parallel vector everywhere.

FIG. 16 shows a screen provided on the projection screen 22.
It is a figure for demonstrating the specific point 22-1 to 9 of a certain place, and the specific vector of each specific point. (A) is a front view of the projection screen 22 in the middle cloud coordinate system, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the projection screen 22. According to (a) and (b), each specific point corresponds to each vertex 22-2, 4, 6, 8 of the projection screen 22 and the midpoints 22-3, 5, 7, 9 on each side of the projection screen 22. , And the center point 22-1 of the projection screen 22, and the normal vector at each point is given as the specific vector. It should be noted that in (b), the center point 22-1 of the projection screen 22 is
The normal vector 22-1a and the line-of-sight vector 34 of the virtual camera 100 are shown. That is, the center point 22
The specific vector of −1 is always opposite to the line-of-sight vector 34 of the virtual camera 100.

FIG. 16C is a diagram showing the relationship of the directions indicated by the respective specific vectors (that is, the normal vectors), in which the projection screen 22 is horizontal to the xz plane and The components of each specific vector when the sides are arranged so as to intersect with the x axis and the z axis in parallel or perpendicularly are displayed. As shown in (c), the relationship between the angles formed by the specific vectors is the same regardless of the rotation of the projection screen 22 during the game execution. Therefore,
Once the line-of-sight vector 34 of the virtual camera 100 is determined, a rotation matrix based on the line-of-sight vector 34 is generated and applied to each specific vector shown in FIG. Can be calculated.

As described above, when the direction of the specific vector at each point on the projection screen 22 is determined, the angle formed with the ray vector 38 is calculated. However, since the process of calculating the angle formed by each vector in the three-dimensional space and comparing the angles of the three components in the coordinate system is complicated, in the following, the color is determined by the inner product without calculating the angle formed. I decided to. Further, when calculating the inner product, each vector is converted into a unit vector, and the result ω of the inner product is set so as to fall within the range of −1 ≦ ω ≦ 1. Then, the color given to the corresponding point is uniquely determined according to the value of ω and the sign.

The relationship between the value of the inner product ω and the color given to the middle cloud corresponds to the relationship whether each specific point on the projection screen 22 is near or far from the light source. Specifically, on the projection screen 22 shown in FIG. 16A, the normal vector of the specific point 22-2 is opposite to the ray vector 38, and the normal vector of the specific point 22-6 is the same. Point in the direction. That is, on the projection screen 22, the normal vector of the point closer to the light source shows the opposite direction to the light ray vector 38, and the normal vector of the portion shadowed by the light source is
The same direction as the ray vector 38 is shown. Based on this relationship, the inner product ω of the ray vector 38 and the normal vector of each point
However, if it is negative, it is determined that the corresponding point is close to the light source, and a bright color is given. When the inner product ω is positive, it is determined that the dot corresponds to a shadowed portion that is slightly far from the light source, and a dark color is given.

More specifically, when the dot product ω is negative, white is used as the cloud color, when the dot product ω is positive, gray is used (extremely black), and so on. The shading is determined according to the value of the inner product ω. For example, the output I of each RGB color
Is defined as 0 ≦ I ≦ 255. Here, when I = 0, all RGB colors are not output and become black, and conversely I
= 255, the color is white. Then, by multiplying the function f (ω) having the inner product ω as a variable, the ratio of the output of all colors is determined. The function f (ω) may be any function as long as it takes a range of 0 ≦ f (ω) ≦ 1 and increases as ω increases. For example, f (ω) = A function such as 0 (−1 ≦ ω <0) = √ω (0 ≦ ω ≦ 1) (6) is defined (where 0 ≦ f (ω)). FIG. 17 is a graph of the function f (ω), in which the horizontal axis represents ω and the vertical axis represents the value of the function f (ω). According to the equation (6), the value of the function f (ω) has a value of “1” to “0” when the inner product ω is negative, and the value is “0” when the inner product ω is positive. Therefore, when the normal vector and the ray vector 38 are oriented in the same direction (ω> 0), f (ω) = 0
The output color becomes black, and the shadow part in the cloud can be expressed. On the other hand, when the normal vector and the ray vector 38 face each other (ω <0), f (ω)> 0, and the color becomes closer to white as the value of ω approaches “−1”.

As described above, by calculating the normal vectors at a plurality of positions on the projection screen 22 and taking the inner product with the ray vector 38, the shadow of the cloud can be more plausibly expressed. However, according to the equation (6), although it is possible to express the shadow of the cloud, it is not possible to express gradations of various colors. For example, there is a case where it is desired to maintain a three-dimensional effect and to express a single cloud with a gradation from a portion that shines golden in the morning sun or sunset to a portion that is dark and shaded by the color of the night sky. However, it is difficult to change the three colors of RGB variously and plausibly based on the change of one value of the inner product ω of the ray vector 38 and the normal vector.

Therefore, the tint when the light shines and the cloud shines brightly (light colors I _L = R _L , G _L , B _L ) and the tint that becomes the base of the cloud (base color I _B = R _B , G _B , B _B ) and the tint (shadow color I _S = R _S , G _S , B _S ) of a shadow portion where light does not strike, 3
Set the color in advance. Then, according to the value of the inner product ω,
The ratio of adopting each color will be determined. For example, a function F _L (ω) for determining the ratio of light colors, a function F _B (ω) for determining the ratio of base colors, and a function F _S (ω) for determining the ratio of shadow colors. ) And are set independently of each other. That is, the output color I is determined by I = I _L · F _L (ω) + I _B · F _B (ω) + I _S · F _S (ω) (7)

Further, each function F (ω) is set as follows. ^{_{F L (ω) = cos 2}} {(ω + 1) · π / 2} (-1 ≦ ω ≦ 0) = 0 (0 <ω) F B (ω) = sin 2 {(ω + 1) · π / 2} ( −1 ≦ ω ≦ 1) F _S (ω) = 0 (ω <0) = cos ² {(ω + 1) · π / 2} (0 ≦ ω ≦ 1) (8) FIGS. 18A to 18C ) Is a diagram showing a graph of each function. In each graph, the horizontal axis represents the value of ω and the vertical axis represents the value of the function F (ω). As can be seen from equation (8), the sum of each function is always 1. Therefore, it is possible to rationally combine the colors without outputting an unnatural color. In addition, the base color is always combined except when ω = −1, 1. Therefore, for example, when white is applied as the base color, it is possible to express a cloud whose color changes smoothly with white as the basic tone.

As described above, α of the cloud texture 102 is
The small cloud billboard 24 on which the texture is mapped is three-dimensionally arranged in the middle cloud coordinate system and is rotated according to the orientation of the virtual camera 100 in the world coordinate system. It is possible to represent a three-dimensional middle cloud whose shape changes depending on the position. Therefore, for example, even if the angle at which the middle clouds are viewed changes with the elevation of the airplane (viewpoint) operated by the player,
It is possible to generate an image in which there is no inconsistency in the shape of the middle cloud and which does not cause any discomfort when viewed.

When generating the medium cloud texture,
Since the cloud texture 102, which is a cloud over which the air flow is applied, is concentrated near the center to generate a medium cloud texture,
Creates a medium cloud texture with a darker center (less transparency) and lighter (closer transparency) toward the periphery. Therefore, as a result, the airflow is expressed only on the edge of the middle cloud texture, and a more realistic cloud can be expressed.

Since the color is decided after drawing the α value of the whole middle cloud without deciding the color for each cloud part constituting the middle cloud, the middle cloud can be drawn more quickly. Textures can be generated. Furthermore, three types of colors are set in advance, and the ratio of adoption of each color is determined according to the positional relationship between the screen for drawing the middle clouds (actually, the middle cloud billboard on the corresponding object) and the light source. Since it was decided to decide, it was possible to express a cloud whose color changes subtly depending on the light of day.

In the above description, the number of medium clouds to be generated is four, and the number of small cloud billboards constituting one medium cloud is 32.
Although described as individual pieces, it is needless to say that the number is not limited to these and may be variously changed according to the scale of one small cloud billboard. Further, the formulas for determining the shade of color and the preset color combination ratio are formula (6) and formula (8).
There is no need to limit to the above, and any formula may be used as long as it calculates a hue that does not cause a sense of discomfort as a cloud color. Further, in the above description, it is explained that three colors are combined, but two colors, four colors, ..., N colors may be used. In this case, for example, (ω +
This can be achieved by changing the value multiplied by 1) according to the number of colors to be combined.

Alternatively, a color determination table 290 as shown in FIG. 19 may be generated in advance and the color may be determined based on this table. According to FIG. 19, the color determination table 290 stores color information (each value of RGB) in association with the range of the inner product ω of the normal vector and the ray vector 38 and the range of each inner product ω. During the game execution, the inner product ω of the normal vector of each specific point on the projection screen 22 and the ray vector 38 is calculated, and the color determination table 2
90 is read and the corresponding color information is determined and given to the RGB plane of the corresponding texel in the middle cloud buffer. However, when such a color determination table 290 is adopted, the amount of information to be stored in advance increases, and it is not possible to express a subtle color change of the cloud. Therefore, as described above, the method of calculating the ratio of combining the previously specified colors each time is most preferable.

Also, although it has been described that the textures of four medium clouds are generated, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each small cloud billboard is actually arranged in the object space, and the virtual camera 100 in the object space is used. It is also possible to draw based on. Alternatively, the cloud over the entire object space may be represented by the texture of one medium cloud.

However, as described above, the greater the number of cloudlet billboards to be drawn based on the position of the virtual camera 100 and the cloud viewpoint, the process of calculating the coordinates and orientation of each cloudlet billboard, There is a problem in that the burden of drawing processing and the like increases and delays the entire game image generation processing. Note that this problem seems to be solved by adjusting the sizes of the middle cloud and the small cloud billboard when drawing based on the virtual camera 100. For example, even when the small cloud billboard is placed directly in the object space, the processing such as drawing can be reduced by setting the size of the small cloud billboard to be relatively large. However, in a game such as a plane game in which clouds can be observed up close, when a relatively large cloud cloud billboard with only one type of α texture mapped is placed directly in the object space, It is not possible to express subtle changes in the clouds that accompany changes in the virtual camera position. Further, when the small cloud billboards forming the middle clouds are made large and the number thereof is made small, the change in the shape of the middle clouds due to the change in the position of the virtual camera 100 becomes poor, resulting in a lack of stereoscopic effect. .

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the virtual camera 10 is arranged by arranging the middle cloud billboard in the object space based on the sea of clouds generation principle described below.
It expresses the change of the cloud associated with the change of the position of 0, and also expresses the cloud having a stereoscopic effect.

1- (3) Cloud Sea Generation Principle Next, by setting a billboard (hereinafter referred to as a Nakamo billboard) on which a cloud texture generated by the cloud generation principle is mapped in a plurality of object spaces, the cloud sea is set. The principle of generating is explained.

A virtual camera 100 as shown in FIG.
When generating an image viewed from (viewing direction is the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure and viewing angle φ), the cloud setting region R shown in FIG.
Place the Nakamo billboard only inside. Clouds outside the cloud setting region R do not enter the field of view of the virtual camera 100,
Not placed because it is not drawn.

As described above, the Nakanomo billboard always faces perpendicularly to the line of sight of the virtual camera 100,
It is placed in the object space by setting the placement position (one point) and the size. That is, even if the virtual camera 100 moves or the line-of-sight direction is changed, it is not revealed that the cloud is a plane.

The cloud setting area R shown in FIG. 20 will be described more specifically. As shown in FIG. 21, the cloud setting region R has a center point F _PW (F) at a position of a distance d from the position of the virtual camera 100 set in the object space (world coordinate system) in the viewing direction (indicated by an arrow in the figure). _PW .x, F _PW .
y, F _PW .z) is a region in a cube having a side length of 2 L. That is, the position of the cloud setting area R is set to the virtual camera 100.
It changes according to the position and the direction of the line of sight. However, the directions of the respective sides of the cloud setting region R are Xw axis, Yw axis of the world coordinate system,
It is set so as to face the Zw axis.

[0183] Local coordinate system when setting the positions of Chukumo this cloud setting region R (Chukumo building position coordinates of the board) has its origin at the center point F _PW clouds set area R (x _L , Y _L , z _L ) (hereinafter referred to as the sea of clouds coordinate system), the position coordinates in the cloud setting region R are determined. That is, the arrangement position of the middle cloud billboard is determined as the position opposite to the center point F _PW of the cloud setting region R. Here, the cloud setting area R in the cloud sea coordinate system has a center point F _PL as shown in FIG.
It is (0,0,0), and becomes a cube with a side length of 2L.

Coordinates CL [i] (CL [i] .x, CL [i] .y, CL of the middle cloud billboard arranged in the sea of clouds coordinate system.
[I] .z) is CL [i] .x = {Ct [i] .x + {2L- (F _PW .x mod 2L)}} mod 2 LL (9) CL [i] .z = {Ct [i] .z + {2L- (F _PW .z mod 2L)}} mod 2 L−L (10) CL [i] .y = (Alt−F _PW .y) + Ct [i] .y × Altw (11) is set. Here, i = 1, 2, ..., N, and n
Is the number of clouds (Nakamo billboard) to be set. Also,
“Mod” is an operator that indicates a remainder. Alt is the center of the y coordinate of the cloud layer. For example, when the y coordinate of the ground is “0”, it indicates the height from the ground to the center of the cloud layer. Altw is the maximum width from the center of the cloud layer to the edge of the cloud layer.

Also, as an initial setting, the initial distribution Ct [i]
(Ct [i] .x, Ct [i] .y, Ct [i] .z)
(I = 1, 2, ..., N) is set. The initial distribution is initially determined (for example, at the start of the game) once in order to determine the distribution state of the arrangement positions of the middle cloud billboards in the sea of clouds, and during the execution of the game, The initial distribution is unchanged. And Ct
[I] .x = rand (rand is a random number from 0 to (2L-1)),
Ct [i] .y = rand (rand is a random number between -1 and 1), Ct
[I] .z = rand (rand is a random number from 0 to (2L-1)).

According to the equation (9), {Ct [i] .x +
{2L- (F _PW .x mod2L)}} The possible values of mod2L are in the range of "0" to "2L-1", so the x coordinate CL [i] of the position of the middle cloud in the cloud sea coordinate system. Possible values of x are in the range of "-L" to "L-1". Also,
The value of {2L- (F _PW .x mod 2L)} is, for example, F _PW .
When the value of x increases, it decreases in the range of "2L" to "1", becomes "1", and then returns to "2L" when the value of F _PW .x further increases.

Therefore, for example, when the value of the x coordinate F _PW .x of the center point of the cloud setting region R increases, the value of the x coordinate CL [i] .x of the position of the middle cloud is " In the range of "L-1" to "-L", the value of F _PW .x decreases by the amount of increase, and after reaching "-L", it returns to "L-1" again.
Values from "L-1" to "-L" are repeated. That is, the x coordinate CL [i] .x of the arrangement position of the middle cloud billboard in the cloud sea coordinate system decreases by the amount that the x coordinate F _PW .x of the center point of the cloud setting region R increases, and the cloud setting region R
When it is outside the area, it will appear on the opposite side, and the value will always be "-L" to "L-1" in the cloud setting area R. Z-coordinate CL of the position of the middle cloud billboard in the sea of clouds coordinate system
The same holds for [i] .z according to equation (10).

FIG. 23A is a diagram showing the cloud setting region R viewed from the Zw axis direction in the world coordinate system.
As shown in the figure, for example, the center position of the cloud setting region R in the world coordinate system is F _PW1 (F _PW1 .x, F _PW1 .y,
F _PW1 .z), the x coordinate CL [i] .x of the central cloud billboard arrangement position CL [i] in the cloud sea coordinate system is CL [i] .x = {Ct [ i] .x + {2L- (F _PW1 .x
mod2L)}} mod 2L-L.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 23A, Ct [1] .x = 110, F _PW1 .x = 100, L =
If it is 100, the position C of the Nakamo billboard is C
The value of the x coordinate of L [1] in the sea coordinate system is CL [1] .x = {110+ {200- (100 mod2
00)}} mod 200-100 = -90 (FIG. 23 (b)). FIG. _23B shows that F _PL1 (=
It is a figure which shows an example of the cloud setting area | region R seen from the _zL- axis direction in the sea of clouds coordinate system which made F _PW1 ) the origin.

The position of the virtual camera 100 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), it moves in the x-axis direction of the world coordinate system (from the point V1 in the figure to the point V2) (the line-of-sight direction does not change), and accordingly, the center point F of the cloud setting region R in the world coordinate system. The position of _PW is also from point F _PW1 to point F _PW2 (F _PW2 .
x, F _PW2 .y, F _PW2 .z) (F _PW2 .y = F _PW1 .y, F
_PW2 .z = F _PW1 .z), for example, as shown in FIG.
If F _PW2 .x = 190 as shown in (a),
The value of the x-coordinate in the cloud sea coordinate system of the position CL [1] of the middle cloud billboard is CL [1] .x = {110+ {200- (190 mod2
00)}} mod 200-100 = + 20 (FIG. 23 (c)). FIG. _23C shows F _PL2 (=
It is a figure which shows an example of the cloud setting area | region R seen from the _zL- axis direction in the sea of clouds coordinate system which made F _PW2 ) the origin.

That is, as shown in FIG. 23A, in the world coordinate system, as the cloud setting area R moves due to the change of the virtual camera 100, an area R deviating from the cloud setting area R is displayed.
P1 will appear as a region RP2 newly included in the cloud setting region R. That is, one distribution pattern can be repeatedly used.

If Ct [2] .x = 50, for example, when the center point F _PW of the cloud setting region R is F _PW1 , the middle cloud billboard arrangement position CL [2] is set. The x coordinate CL [2] .x in the sea of clouds coordinate system is CL [2] .x = {50+ {200− (100 mod20
0)}} mod 200-100 = + 50. In this case, CL [2] in the world coordinate system
The x-coordinate, the x coordinate F _PW1 .x center point F _{PW 1} ( "10
The coordinate is “150” from “0”) to “+50”.

When the center point F _PW of the cloud setting area R moves from the point F _PW1 to the point F _PW2 , the central cloud billboard arrangement position CL
The x coordinate CL [2] .x in the cloud sea coordinate system of [2] is CL [2] .x = {50+ {200- (190 mod20
0)}} mod 200-100 = -40. In this case, the x coordinate of the position CL [2] of the middle cloud billboard in the world coordinate system is the coordinate “150” of “−40” from the x coordinate F _PW2 .x (“190”) of the center point F _PW2. is there.

That is, before movement (the center point is set to point F _PW1 )
The position of the middle cloud billboard in the region PR3 where the cloud setting region R and the cloud setting region R after movement (where the center point is the point F _PW2 ) overlap is set to the same position in the world coordinate system. Become.

When the center point F _PW of the cloud setting region R moves in the Zw axis direction, it is the same as the above-mentioned movement in the Xw axis direction.

FIG. 24 shows the center point F of the cloud setting area R._PWIs Y
It is a figure explaining the case where it moves to the w-axis direction. Figure
As shown in 24 (a), the center point F of the cloud setting region R_PWBut
Point F _PW1(F_PW1.y = 300), Alt = 240, Al
tw = 20, and Ct [1] .y = in the initial distribution
If it is 0, the position CL of the Nakamo billboard
The y coordinate CL [1] .y in the cloud sea coordinate system of [1] is CL [1] .y = (240−300) + 0 × 20 = “−
60 " Thus, the position is as shown in FIG. Figure 24
(B) is F_PL1(= F_{P W1}) In the sea of clouds coordinate system
By the way, z_LAn example of the cloud setting area R viewed from the axial direction is shown.
It is a figure.

The center point F of the cloud setting area R_PWBut, for example
For example, as shown in FIG. _PW1(F_PW1.y = 3
00) to point F_PW3(F_PW3.y = 350)
, The y-coordinate CL of the position CL [1] on the Nakamo billboard
[1] .y is CL [1] .y = -60, and CL
[1] .y = (240−350) + 0 × 20 = −11
It is changed to 0 (FIG. 24 (c)). FIG. 24C shows
F_PL2(= F_PW2) Is the origin of the sea of clouds coordinate system, z
_LIt is a figure which shows an example of the cloud setting area R seen from the axial direction.

Even if the position of the cloud setting region R changes with the change of the virtual camera 100, the height of the cloud in the world coordinate system (the height of the cloud layer) does not change, so the cloud setting region R in the Xw axis direction. , The cloud setting area R
The area outside the cloud setting area R does not appear as a new area included in the cloud setting area R. As shown in FIG. 24C, the arrangement position of the middle cloud billboard is located at the coordinate position outside the cloud setting area R. Is set. Of course, when the arrangement position is outside the cloud setting region R, the cloud is not arranged.

As described above, the arrangement positions CL [i] of n middle cloud billboards are set according to the equations (9) to (11),
By arranging the cloud setting area R in the world coordinate system so that the center point F _PL in the cloud setting area R becomes F _PW in the world coordinate system, the cloud in the cloud setting area R in the world coordinate system (the middle cloud You can set the placement position of the billboard). Then, the middle cloud billboards are arranged at these arrangement positions CL [i] with the size W [i] = 1.0 + rand (rand is a random number in the range of 0.0 to 1.0). Here, the size W [i] may indicate, for example, the length of one side of the Nakamo billboard, or, for example,
When the size of the medium cloud texture generated based on the medium cloud generation principle is “1”, it may indicate the size for the medium cloud texture.

Here, only the "arrangement position" of the middle cloud billboard is set in the cloud setting region R based on the above equations (9) to (11). That is, the vertical and horizontal directions are not taken into consideration. As described above, the small cloud billboards forming the middle clouds have already been generated in consideration of the vertical and horizontal directions, and the middle cloud texture has also been generated in consideration of the vertical and horizontal directions (that is, Virtual camera 100
A medium cloud texture corresponding to the roll angle Z of is generated. ). Therefore, only the “arrangement position” needs to be determined within the cloud setting region R when the sea of clouds is generated.

Therefore, it is only necessary to set the cloud in the cloud setting region R without arranging the cloud in the entire object space, and therefore it is possible to reduce the processing for setting the cloud. Further, since the cloud is represented by the middle cloud billboard, there is no case where the lack of thickness is exposed depending on the direction of the virtual camera 100 as in the conventional case. For example, when the cloud layer is viewed in the horizontal direction. Also, a cloud image having a stereoscopic effect as shown in FIG. 25 can be generated. FIG. 25 shows
It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen containing the cloud to which this principle is applied.

However, the position as shown in FIG.
When viewed from the virtual camera 100 in the line-of-sight direction, the boundary of the cloud setting region R falls within the field of view. Therefore, when the cloud setting region R is moved in the direction of the arrow as the virtual camera 100 moves as shown in FIG. 26, when the virtual camera 100 slightly moves in the x-axis direction (right direction in the figure), the cloud setting is performed. The arrangement position CL [m] set near the left end boundary of the region R disappears and changes to near the right end boundary of the cloud setting region R.

Therefore, when viewed from the virtual camera 100, the cloud arranged at the arrangement position CL [m] in the field of view does not disappear from the edge of the field of view but disappears in the field of view. . Similarly, as the virtual camera 100 moves, clouds may suddenly appear in the field of view, which causes a feeling of strangeness. Therefore, in order to make the cloud near the boundary of the cloud setting region R in the field of view more transparent, the opacity is shown based on α = 1.0− | (Sz [i] −d) | / L (12) Parameter α value (0
≦ α ≦ 1) is set.

Here, Sz [i] is the virtual camera 100.
To the location CL [i] of the Nakanomo billboard. Further, when the α value is “0”, it is completely transparent, and when the α value is “1”, it is opaque. That is, the virtual camera 100
From the virtual camera 100 to the center point F _PW of the cloud setting region R has a small difference between the distance Sz [i] from the cloud position to the position of the middle cloud billboard and the value of α has a value It becomes larger (becomes opaque), and the distance Sz [i] from the virtual camera 100 to the position where the Nakanomo billboard is arranged,
The α value becomes smaller (becomes transparent) as the middle cloud billboard has a position where the difference from the distance d from the virtual camera 100 to the center point F _PW of the cloud setting region R is larger.

According to the equation (12), since the distance Sz [i] between the arrangement position CL [m] near the boundary of the cloud setting region R and the virtual camera 100 is large with the distance d, this arrangement position The middle cloud billboard arranged at CL [m] has high transparency. Therefore, it is difficult to understand even if it suddenly disappears. Similarly, when it appears at the boundary of the cloud setting region R in the field of view, a cloud with high transparency appears.

It should be noted that the difference between the distance Sz [i] from the virtual camera 100 to the position CL [i] of the middle cloud billboard and the distance d from the virtual camera 100 to the center point F _PW of the cloud setting area R. Instead of changing the α value accordingly, for example,
As shown in FIG. 27 (a), it is assumed that the cloud having the arrangement position CL [i] farther from the center point F _PW of the cloud setting region R has higher transparency (the value of α becomes smaller), and the cloud from the center point F _PW The distance L may be L (α = 0). In that case, inside the sphere P1 having the radius L shown in FIG. 27A, the opacity becomes lower (transparent) as the distance from the center point F _PW increases, and the arranging position is outside the sphere P1. Clouds with are completely transparent (not visible).

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 27 (b), a region in which the distance Sz [i] from the virtual camera 100 to the position of the middle cloud billboard is within a given range is opaque (α = 1. .0), and the α value may be gradually lowered (transparent) as the distance from the area increases.

Further, for example, in the case of the position, line-of-sight direction, and viewing angle of the virtual camera 100 as shown in FIG. 28, the cloud outside the cloud setting region R also comes into view. Therefore, a distant view cloud setting area Rf is further set, and in this distant view cloud setting area Rf,
Arrange the planar cloud objects horizontally. This distant view cloud setting area Rf is, for example, df from the virtual camera 100.
It has a center point Ff _PW at a distance of (df> d) and a side length Lf
(Lf> L) (The distant view cloud setting region Rf is the virtual camera 100.
Since it is set far away from, because a wider range will be within the field of view) is the area of the cube.

When arranging the cloud object in the distant view cloud setting area Rf, based on the initial distribution Ct [i] similar to the case of deciding the arrangement position of the middle cloud billboard in the cloud setting area R described above, The arrangement position is determined by setting "L" in equations (9) to (11) to "Lf" and "F _PW " to "Ff _PW ". Further, similarly to the cloud setting region R, the α value is set such that the cloud becomes transparent as the distance from the center point Ff _PW increases. Therefore, the cloud setting area R and the distant view cloud setting area R
The cloud at the boundary with or overlapping with f has a low α value (high transparency (difficult to see)). Therefore, the cloud setting area R
And the distant view cloud setting region Rf can be made difficult to understand, and a sea of clouds that is naturally continuous can be expressed.

FIG. 29 shows that the distant view cloud setting area Rf is within the field of view.
It is a figure which shows an example of the display image in case a cloud setting area R exists. As described above, in the case of the cloud object in the distant view cloud setting area Rf, it is arranged at a position far from the virtual camera 100, and the cloud setting area is located between the virtual camera 100 and the cloud object in the distant view cloud setting area Rf. Since the middle cloud billboard in R is placed, the distant view cloud setting area R
Even if the cloud object in f is not oriented perpendicular to the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 100, it is difficult to reveal the lack of thickness. Therefore, the cloud object set in the distant view cloud setting area Rf need only be arranged horizontally regardless of the position of the virtual camera 100 and the line-of-sight direction, and the load related to billboard processing can be reduced.

Also, for example, according to the cloud distribution map 924 showing the distribution of clouds in the entire object space as shown in FIG. 30, the α value of the middle cloud billboard having the arrangement position in the part where the cloud is present is multiplied by “1”. (By reflecting the set α value as it is), by multiplying the α value of the Nakakumo billboard, which has the placement position in the cloud-free area, by “0” (making it transparent), it is placed in the cloud-free area. Hide the Nakamura Billboard to avoid clouds.

That is, the cloud distribution map 924 shown in FIG.
Is a map showing the distribution of α values. White (with clouds)
The α value is set to “1” for the part and the α value is set to “0” for the black (no cloud) part. And this cloud distribution map 9
The α value obtained by multiplying the α value corresponding to the position of 24 by the α value set on the Nakanomo billboard is reflected in the opacity at the time of drawing.

The α value in the vicinity of the boundary between the cloud-containing portion and the cloud-free portion in the cloud distribution map 924 may be set to, for example, “0.5”. In that case, for example, it is possible to blur a cloud break (such as an edge of a sea of clouds), that is, a boundary between a part with cloud and a part without cloud is not clear.

2. function Next, each function in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the functional blocks of this embodiment are the operation unit 500,
Processing unit 600, display unit 700, and temporary storage unit 800
And a storage unit 900.

The operation section 500 is for inputting instructions for operation of objects in the game. The player is the game controller 1202, 120 shown in FIG.
Input operation data using 4 or the like. The operation data obtained by the operation unit 10 is output to the processing unit 600.

The processing section 600 is mainly composed of the game calculation section 61.
0 and an image generation unit 630. The game calculation unit 610 executes a given game according to the operation data input from the operation unit 500 and the game program 910 read from the storage unit 900, the virtual camera 10.
A process of setting a position of 0, a line-of-sight direction, an angle of view (viewing angle), and the like, a process of setting an object, a light source, and the like in the object space are performed.

The game calculation section 610 also includes a middle cloud generation section 612, an initial setting section 616, and a sea of clouds generation section 618.

The image generator 630 carries out a process of generating an image viewed from the virtual camera 100. Image generator 630
Includes a small cloud drawing unit 632, a middle cloud drawing unit 634, and a cloud sea drawing unit 640.

The functions of these processing units 600 are the CISC type and RISC type CPUs, DSPs, ICs dedicated to image generation,
It is realized by hardware such as a memory.

The display section 700 displays the image generated by the image generation section 630 (that is, the image set in the frame buffer 808) and the like.
It is realized by a T, LCD, plasma display, etc., and the display 1200 of FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

The temporary storage unit 800 stores the small cloud buffer 80.
2, middle cloud buffer 804, specific point color data 806, frame buffer 808, and drawing target setting data 810 are stored. The function of the temporary storage unit 800 can be realized by the RAM.

The memory 900 stores the game program 91.
0, airflow texture 104, initial data 950, cloud distribution map 924, cloud layer data 926, color data 928, and function data 930 are stored. The function of the storage unit 900 is the CD-ROM, game cassette, IC card, M
It can be realized by hardware such as O, FD, DVD, memory and hard disk.

Next, the function of each functional unit shown in FIG. 31 will be described in detail for each process. 2- (1) Small cloud generation processing function initial setting unit 616 performs processing for setting initial data 950. Specifically, at the start of the game, cloud part data 952, 2- (2) small cloud distribution data 210 that is initial data for distributing small cloud billboards in the medium cloud generation processing function, and 2- (3 ) Set the middle cloud distribution data 956 which is the initial data for distributing the middle cloud billboard in the cloud sea generation processing function.

The cloud part data 952 is data relating to cloud parts including the cloud part A mask 112 (FIG. 5B) and the cloud part B mask 114 (FIG. 6B) described above. The cloud part data 952 is set by the initial setting unit 616 at the start of the game. The initial data 950 may be stored in the storage unit 500 in advance.

The small cloud drawing unit 632 of the image generating unit 630
This is a processing unit that executes the above-described 1- (1) small cloud generation principle according to the small cloud generation program 912 included in the game program 910, and the pitch angle X of the virtual camera 100.
And the cloud parts data 95 included in the initial data 950
2. Cloud part A (12
2) (FIG. 5 (a)), cloud part B (124) (FIG. 6)
(A)) The α value of each texel is set, the cloud texture 102 that is an α texture is generated, and the temporary storage unit 800
It is a functional unit that performs a process of storing in the small cloud buffer 802.

2- (2) Middle Cloud Generation Processing Function The middle cloud generation unit 612 executes processing for determining the arrangement positions of the cloud viewpoint 220 and the projection screen 22 in the middle cloud coordinate system according to the middle cloud generation program 914. That is, when the line-of-sight vector of the virtual camera 100 in the world coordinate system is input from the game calculation unit 610, the middle cloud generation unit 612 determines the arrangement positions of the cloud viewpoint 220 and the projection screen 22 in the middle cloud coordinate system. Then, the coordinate data of the determined cloud viewpoint 220 and the projection screen 22 is output to the middle cloud drawing unit 634 of the image generating unit 630.

When the coordinate data of the cloud viewpoint 220 and the projection screen 22 are input from the middle cloud generation unit 612, the middle cloud drawing unit 634 determines the coordinates of the representative point of each small cloud billboard in the middle cloud coordinate system. A rotation matrix for converting into the viewpoint coordinate system 220 and a perspective conversion matrix for performing projection conversion on the projection screen 22 based on the cloud viewpoint 220 are generated. A matrix generated by reading the cloud cloud distribution data 210 (FIG. 13) of each medium cloud set by the initial setting unit 616 at the start of the game and stored in the storage unit 900, and generated for the coordinate data of each cloud cloud billboard. To project each small cloud billboard onto the projection screen 22.

The middle cloud drawing unit 634 includes an α value drawing unit 636 and a color determining unit 638. α value drawing unit 636
Executes a process of drawing α values of 32 small cloud billboards forming each middle cloud. That is, when the coordinates of each vertex of each small cloud billboard on the projection screen 22 are determined,
The corresponding texel in the middle cloud buffer 804 is determined, and the α texture of the small cloud texture 102 is drawn on the α plane of the texel within the range surrounded by each vertex.

The color deciding unit 638 executes the process of deciding the color given to the middle clouds. That is, the color determination unit 638 determines the colors to be given to the nine specific points on the projection screen 22 (actually, the corresponding cloud cloud in the object space), and determines all the texels in the cloud buffer 804. A process of determining a color to be given to the specific point based on the color of each specific point is performed. Specifically, the color determination unit 638 generates specific point color data 806 as shown in FIG. The specific point color data 806 is for storing color information in association with each specific point, and is stored in the temporary storage unit 800.

That is, when the color determining section 638 calculates the normal vectors of nine specific points on the projection screen 22 (actually, the middle cloud billboard in the corresponding object space), the inner product ω with the ray vector is calculated. calculate. And
The calculated value of the inner product ω is substituted into the equation (8) stored in the function data 930 to determine the brightness of the three colors of the bright color, the base color, and the shadow color stored in the color data 928, and the brightness determined. By substituting into the equation (7) stored in the function data 930, the color of the corresponding specific point is determined. Then, the color information of each determined specific point is set to the specific point color data 806.
Is stored in the temporary storage unit 800 as. In addition, after the α value drawing unit 636 finishes drawing the α values of 32 small cloud billboards,
Based on the generated specific point color data 806, the color information given to the RGB plane of each texel in the middle cloud buffer 804 is determined. The process of determining the color to be given to each texel is determined by linearly interpolating the color between each specific point.

2- (3) Sea of Clouds Generation Processing Function The sea of clouds generation unit 618 performs a process of generating a sea of clouds in the object space based on the sea of clouds generation program 916, and includes the cloud setting area determination unit 620 and the middle cloud arrangement. Part 61
4, an opacity setting unit 622, and a drawing target setting unit 624
Including and The cloud setting area determination unit 620 is the game calculation unit 2
Based on the position of the virtual camera 100 and the line-of-sight direction set by 10, the position of the distance d in the line-of-sight direction is determined from the position of the virtual camera 100, and a cube having a side length of 2 L and having the center point F _PW as the cloud The setting area R is determined. Further, the cloud setting area determination unit 620 determines a position of a distance df from the position of the virtual camera 100 in the line-of-sight direction, and determines a cube having a side length of 2Lf with the position as the center point Ff _PW as the distant view cloud setting area Rf. .

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the middle cloud distribution data 956. As shown in the figure, values of initial distributions Ct [i] .x, Ct [i] .y, and Ct [i] .z for “i” corresponding to the number n of clouds set in the cloud setting region R , The size of the middle cloud billboard W [i] and one of the middle cloud billboard type numbers b1 to b4 attached to the four kinds of middle cloud billboards generated by the middle cloud generation processing function It is set as the board type number.

Ct [i] .x and Ct [i] .z are each set to a random number from "0" to "2L-1", and
A random number from "-1" to "+1" is set in [i] .y. For example, in FIG. 33, “i” is Ct [i] .x for “1” (that is, Ct [1] .x).
Is “110”, Ct [i] .y (ie Ct [1] .y) is “0”, Ct [i] .z (ie Ct [1] .z) is “12”.
4 ", and" i "is the size W with respect to" 1 "
[I] (that is, W [1]) is set to "1.1", and "b1" is set as the billboard type number. That is, the middle cloud billboard with the size “1.1” is arranged at the arrangement position CL [1] set by the middle cloud arrangement unit 614 described later for i = 1. It will be.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the cloud layer data 926. As shown in the figure, the cloud layer data 926 has the height Alt (the y coordinate value of the center of the cloud layer in the world coordinate system) Alt and the width Altw for each layer of the cloud layers set in the object space. In the present embodiment, since two cloud layers of layer 1 and layer 2 are set in the object space, in the cloud layer data 926 shown in FIG. 34, the height Alt and the width Altw for layer 1 and layer 2 are Although set, the number of cloud layers set in the object space may be one, or may be three or more. In this case, the height Alt and the width Altw for each cloud layer set in the object space are set in the cloud layer data 926.

The middle cloud arranging unit 614 uses the cloud layer data 926 stored in the storage unit 900 and the middle cloud distribution data 956 set by the initial setting unit 616 to calculate the above equations (9), (10), According to (11), the coordinates of the cloud arrangement position CL [i] (i = 1 to n) in the cloud sea coordinate system with the center point F _PW of the cloud setting area R as the origin are set. Further, the cloud position CL [i] (i = 1 to n) in the distant view sea-coordinate system with the center point Ff _PW of the distant view cloud setting region Rf as the origin.
The coordinates of are set in the same way.

The middle cloud arranging unit 614 arranges the middle cloud billboard in the object space (world coordinate system) based on the value of the set arrangement position CL [i] (in the sea of clouds coordinate system). That is, at the coordinate position when the center point of the cloud setting region R is the point F _PW of the world coordinate system, the arrangement position CL [i]
To convert. Then, the size W of the middle cloud billboard according to the type of billboard set in the initial distribution data
With [i], they are arranged facing each other in the direction of the viewpoint. If the set placement position CL [i] is outside the cloud setting region R, the middle cloud billboard is not placed at that placement position.

The middle cloud arranging unit 614 arranges the cloud object horizontally in the world coordinate system based on the value of the arrangement position CL [i] set for the distant view cloud setting region Rf. The cloud object is, for example, one obtained by omitting the billboard processing of the middle cloud billboard, that is, not a billboard but a normal (non-billboard processing) plane polygon in the middle cloud generation processing. This is a mapping of the generated middle cloud texture.

As described above, the middle cloud arranging section 614 arranges the middle cloud billboards, but the vertical and horizontal directions of the arranged middle cloud billboards may be fixed. Because the middle cloud generation unit 6
Since the 12 and the middle cloud drawing unit 634 generate the middle cloud texture according to the roll angle Z of the virtual camera 100,
The middle cloud arranging unit 614 may set and arrange only the arrangement position of the generated middle cloud texture.

The opacity setting unit 622 is used by the middle cloud arrangement unit 61.
Position of the Nakamo billboard set by 4 and virtual camera 1
Based on the distance Sz [i] from 00,
According to 2), the α value is set for each layout position of the Nakamo billboard and stored in the drawing target setting data 810.

Further, the opacity setting unit 622 is provided in the storage unit 9
Based on the cloud distribution map 924 stored in 00, the cloud distribution map 924 (FIG. 30) corresponding to the arrangement position of the middle cloud billboard (the arrangement position converted to the world coordinate system by the middle cloud arrangement unit 614) is set. The α value set in the drawing target setting data 810 is multiplied by the specified α value to update the α value of the drawing target setting data 810.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the drawing target setting data 810. Here, for simplicity of description, only the drawing target setting data 932 for the clouds arranged in the cloud setting region R is shown, but the drawing target setting data 810 is similarly arranged in the distant view cloud setting region Rf. Drawing target setting data 810 for clouds is also set.

As shown in FIG. 35, the α value and the drawing flag are set for the arrangement position CL [i] determined by the middle cloud arrangement unit 614. The α value is the opacity setting unit 6
The α value set by 22 is stored. The drawing flag is reset to “0” at the start of processing for each frame, and only the drawing target is set to “1” by the drawing target setting unit 624 described later. Further, in the arrangement position CL [i] of the drawing target setting data 810, only the arrangement position existing inside the cloud setting region R or the distant view cloud setting region Rf is set. That is, the α value and the drawing flag are set only for the middle cloud billboard or the cloud object arranged by the middle cloud arrangement unit 614.

The cloud distribution map 924 is a map showing the distribution of clouds in the entire object space as shown in FIG. 30, and the storage unit 900 stores the cloud distribution map 924 for each cloud layer. Also, this cloud distribution map 92
4 also shows the distribution of cloud opacity α, where the α value is set to “1” in the part with clouds (white in the figure) and α in the part without clouds (black in the figure). The value is set to "0".

The drawing target setting unit 624 sets a middle cloud billboard whose α value set by the opacity setting unit 622 is not “0” in the drawing target setting data 810 as a drawing target. That is, the transparent middle cloud billboard is not drawn. Specifically, in the drawing target setting data 810, the drawing flag is set to “1” for the arrangement position CL [i] whose α value is not “0”. That is, the image generation unit draws only the middle cloud billboard arranged at the arrangement position CL [i] in which the drawing flag is set to "1" among the middle cloud billboards arranged in the object space.

The cloud sea drawing unit 640 performs coordinate conversion of the middle cloud billboard and the cloud object arranged in the world coordinate system into the screen coordinate system, and sets them in the drawing target setting data 810 set by the opacity setting unit 622. An image is generated by determining color information and the like based on the opacity α, the α value set in the α plane of the middle cloud buffer 804, the brightness (color) set in the RGB plane of the middle cloud buffer 804, and the like. Yes (that is, the value of each pixel of the frame buffer 808 is set). At that time, the drawing target setting data 8
In 10, the processing is performed only on the middle cloud billboard and the cloud object arranged at the arrangement position CL [i] where the drawing flag is set to "1".

3. Operation Next, the operation of the cloud generation processing in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of cloud generation processing.

First, the initial setting section 616 executes an initial setting process for setting the initial data 950 at the start of the game (step S0). Then, the small cloud drawing unit 632 performs small cloud generation processing based on the initial data 950 set in step S0, and generates the small cloud texture 102 (step S1).

The middle cloud generation unit 612 and the middle cloud drawing unit 634 generate the initial data 950 set in step S0 and the small cloud texture 102 generated in step S1.
A middle cloud generation process is performed based on the above to generate a middle cloud texture (step S2). Then, the sea of clouds generation unit 618 and the sea of clouds drawing unit 640 perform the sea of clouds generation processing based on the initial data 950 set in step S0 and the middle cloud texture generated in step S2, and an image of one frame including the sea of clouds is obtained. Generate (Step S
3). And it returns to step S1 and steps S1 to S
The process 3 is performed for each frame to generate a game image (moving image).

FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the initial setting process (FIG. 36; step S0).

First, the initial setting section 616 uses the initial data 9
Cloud part data 952 is generated as 50, and the shape of the cloud is determined (step S0-1). Then, the initial setting unit 6
In the middle cloud generation process, 16 generates small cloud distribution data 210 which is distribution data when arranging small clouds. (Step S0-2). Then, the middle cloud distribution data 956 to be the distribution data when arranging the middle clouds in the sea of clouds generation processing.
Is generated (step S0-3), and the process ends.

FIG. 38 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the small cloud generation process (FIG. 36; step S1) in the present embodiment.

In FIG. 38, first, the small cloud drawing unit 632.
Clears Cα [n, m] of the small cloud texture 102 (returns it to “0”), and uses the cloud part data 952 in cloud parts A (122) and B (124) using equation (1).
The values of the bit patterns of the mask 112 for cloud parts A and the mask 114 for cloud parts B set to are added to return the α values of the cloud parts A (122) and B to the initial state (step S1-1). .

Next, the small cloud drawing unit 632 acquires the pitch angle X of the virtual camera at the present time (step S1-
2), cloud part A (122) or cloud part B (12)
4) is specified and the following processing is performed (hereinafter, cloud part A (1
22) is specified. ). That is, it is determined whether or not the α value is “0” for the texel [n, m] forming the specified cloud part A (122) (step S).
1-3). If the α value is not "0" (step S1-
3: YES), the value of α _A [n, m] is obtained by substituting α [n, m] of the corresponding texel of the airflow texture 104 and the obtained pitch angle X into the equation (2) ( Step S1-4).

Then, the obtained value of α _A [n, m] is set to the corresponding texel [n, m of the cloud texture 102.
m] is added to the α value (step S4). As a result of this addition, when the α value of the cloud texture 102 exceeds “1”, the α value of the texel is set to “1”.

When the α value of the texel [n, m] of the cloud part A (122) is "0" (step S1-3: NO), steps S1-4 and S are performed.
The process of 1-5 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S1-6.

As described above, the small cloud drawing unit 632 executes the processing of the above steps S1-3 to S1-5 for all the texels forming the cloud part A (122) to correspond to the small cloud texture 102. When the opacity α of the texel to be processed is determined (step S1-6: YES), the same process is performed for the cloud part B (124) (step S).
1-3 to S1-6) are performed.

Then, the cloud parts A (122) and B (1
24), it is confirmed that the processes of steps S1-3 to S1-6 have been executed (step S1-7: Y
ES), the small cloud drawing unit 632 ends this processing.

With the above processing, the cloud part A (12
2), B (124), and the airflow texture 104 are combined to generate the cloud texture 102.

Since the airflow texture 104 is an animation as described above, the opacity value α [n, m] of each texel forming the airflow texture 104 changes with the passage of time. Therefore, the appearance of the air flow is represented in the small cloud texture 102.

FIG. 39 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the middle cloud generation process (FIG. 36; step S2).

The middle cloud generation unit 612 determines the arrangement positions of the cloud viewpoint 220 and the projection screen 22 in the middle cloud coordinate system based on the line-of-sight vector of the virtual camera 100 in the world coordinate system (step S2-1). Nakamura drawing section 6
34 is the projection screen 22 arranged in the middle cloud coordinate system.
(Actually, calculate the normal vector of the nine specific points in the corresponding cloud cloud in the object space),
The color of each specific point is determined and the specific point color data 806 is generated (step S2-2). In addition, the middle cloud drawing unit 634
Generates a local matrix based on the coordinates of the cloud viewpoint 220 in the middle cloud coordinate system (step S2-
3). That is, a rotation matrix for converting each small cloud billboard into the viewpoint coordinate system of the cloud viewpoint 220 and a perspective conversion matrix based on the distance between the cloud viewpoint 220 and the projection screen 22 are generated.

Then, the middle cloud drawing unit 634 selects from the 128 (32 × 4) small cloud billboard codes stored in the small cloud distribution data 210 set by the initial setting process (FIG. 37). By selecting one (step S2-4) and operating the matrix generated in step S2-3, projection conversion is performed on the projection screen 22. And α
The value drawing unit 636 draws the α value of the small cloud billboard on the α plane on the middle cloud buffer 804 (step S2-
5). When the drawing process of the middle cloud buffer 804 is completed, the middle cloud drawing unit 634 determines whether the process has been executed for 32 small cloud billboards (step S2-
6). If not finished, the process returns to step S2-4, the code of the next cloud cloud is selected, and the α value is drawn (steps S2-4 to S2-5).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2-6 that the processing of 32 small cloud billboards has been completed, the color determination unit 638 causes the specific point color data 806 generated in step S2-2. On the basis of the above, processing for drawing a color on the RGB plane of the middle cloud buffer 804 is executed (step S2-7). After the processing of giving colors to all the texels of the middle cloud buffer 804 is completed, the middle cloud drawing unit 634 determines whether the processing has been completed for the four middle clouds (step S2-8), and if not completed, In step S2-4, the next middle cloud drawing process is executed. In step S2-8, when the processing has been completed for the four middle clouds, this processing is ended.

Next, the sea of clouds generation processing (FIG. 36; step S).
The operation of 3) will be described. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the sea of clouds generation processing according to the present embodiment.

First, the cloud setting area determining unit 620 sets the cloud setting area R based on the position of the virtual camera 100 and the line-of-sight direction (step S3-1). Next, the sea of clouds drawing unit 64
0 generates a matrix for coordinate conversion from the world coordinate system to the screen coordinate system based on the position of the virtual camera 100 and the line-of-sight direction (step S3-2).

Then, the middle cloud arranging unit 614 uses the cloud layer data 926 and the middle cloud distribution data 956 in accordance with the equations (9) to (11) with respect to i = 1, and sets the center point of the cloud setting region R as the origin of the cloud sea coordinates. The central cloud billboard arrangement position CL [i] is set as the coordinate in the system (step S3-3.
S3-4), the middle cloud billboard of size W [i] is arranged at the arrangement position in the world coordinate system corresponding to the arrangement position CL [i] (step S3-5). The cloud sea drawing unit 640 then performs coordinate conversion of the arranged middle cloud billboards into screen coordinates according to the matrix generated in step S3-2 (step S3-6).

Further, the opacity setting section 622 uses the equation (12).
According to the distance S from the virtual camera 100 to the placement position.
The α value of the middle cloud billboard is set according to z [i] (step S3-7), and the α value of the middle cloud billboard is further set according to the cloud distribution map 924 (step S3-8).
Then, the drawing target setting unit 624 determines whether or not the middle cloud billboard is transparent (α = 0) (step S3-9). If it is transparent, the drawing flag of the drawing target setting data 810 is set to “0”. ", And the process proceeds to step S3-11.

If it is not transparent, it is set as a drawing target, that is, the drawing flag for the arrangement position CL [i] set in step S3-5 is set to "1" (step S3-10) and step S3. Move to -11.

In step S3-11, the middle cloud arranging unit 614 determines whether i ≧ n. If "i" is smaller than n, the value of "i" is updated to "i + 1" (step S3-12), the process returns to step S3-4, and the processes up to step S3-11 are repeated. When it is determined that “i” has become n or more, it is determined whether or not the arrangement positions of the middle cloud billboard have been set for all the cloud layers set in the cloud layer data 926 (step S3-
13) If there is a cloud layer that has not been performed, the process returns to step S3-3, and the processes of steps S3-3 to S3-13 are repeated for the cloud layer that has not been performed.

When the processing is completed for all the cloud layers set in the object space, steps S3-2 to S3-14 are also executed for the distant view cloud setting area Rf.
Perform the same processing as. That is, the cloud setting area R is set,
Set the cloud object placement positions for the number of cloud objects to be placed, place the cloud objects, convert the placed cloud objects to the screen coordinate system, set the opacity α, and set only the non-transparent objects to be drawn. Repeatedly, the processing is further performed for all cloud layers set in the object space (step S3-14).

Then, the cloud sea drawing unit 640 sets only the middle cloud billboard and the cloud object set in the middle cloud buffer 804 at the position where the drawing flag is set to "1" in the drawing target setting data 810. Drawing based on the existing color, opacity, etc. (step S3-16),
The process ends.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration that can realize this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the device shown in the figure, the CPU 1000, the ROM 1002,
RAM 1004, information storage medium 1006, sound generation IC1
008, image generation IC 1010, I / O port 101
2, 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be input / output. And image generation IC
A display device 1018 is connected to 1010, and a sound generation IC
A speaker 1020 is connected to 1008, a control device 1022 is connected to the I / O port 1012,
A communication device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing display objects, sound data, play data, and the like, and corresponds to the storage unit 900 in FIG. For example, when a computer implements the present embodiment, a CD-ROM, a DVD are used as information storage media for storing game programs and the like.
When the above is a home game device, a game cassette or the like is used in addition to these. Further, when it is realized as an arcade game machine, a memory such as a ROM or a hard disk is used, and in this case, the information storage medium 1006.
Becomes the ROM 1002.

The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, an operation panel, etc., and is a device for inputting the result of the judgment made by the user according to the progress of the game into the main body of the device. This control device 10
22 corresponds to the operation unit 500 in FIG.

A program stored in the information storage medium 1006, a system program stored in the ROM 1002 (initialization information of the apparatus main body, etc.), the control device 102.
The CPU 1000 controls the entire apparatus and processes various data in accordance with signals input from the device 2. RAM1004
Is a storage unit used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000, and includes an information storage medium 1006 and a ROM 1002.
Is stored, or the calculation result of the CPU 1000 and the like are stored.

Further, this apparatus is provided with a sound generation IC 1008 and an image generation IC 1010 so that the game sound and the game image can be appropriately output. The sound generation IC 1008 includes an information storage medium 1006 and a ROM 100.
2 is an integrated circuit that generates a game sound such as a sound effect or a BGM music based on the information stored in 2, and the generated game sound is output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 includes a RAM 1004 and a ROM 100.
2. An integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display device 1018 based on image information sent from the information storage medium 1006 or the like. Further, the display device 1018 is a CR
It is realized by T, LCD, TV, plasma display, liquid crystal plasma display, projector and the like.
The display device 1018 corresponds to the display unit 700 shown in FIG.

The communication device 1024 is for exchanging various kinds of information used inside the device with the outside, and is connected to another device to send and receive given information according to a game program or the like, and to communicate. It is used to send and receive information such as game programs via a line.

The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 35 are the same as the information storage medium 10 storing a program for performing the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 36 to 40.
06, and a CPU 100 that operates according to the program
0, an image generation IC 1010, a sound generation IC 1008, and the like. The processing performed by the image generation IC 1010 and the like may be performed by software by the CPU 1000, a general-purpose DSP, or the like.

FIG. 42 shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line 1302. Indicates.

In this case, the game program 510, the airflow texture 104, the initial data 952, the cloud distribution map 9
24, cloud layer data 926, color data 928, and function data 930 are stored in the information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, and a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300. Hereinafter, the information stored in this information storage medium 1306 will be referred to as stored information. The terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n have a CPU and an image generation I.
C, with sound generation IC, stand-alone game image,
When the game sound can be generated, the host device 1300 delivers the stored information to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n via the communication line 1302. on the other hand,
If it cannot be created standalone, the host device 1
300 generates a game image and a game sound, and these are generated by the terminal 1
It will be transmitted to 304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminal.

As described above, according to the present invention, the cloud part A (122) and the cloud part B (12) are processed by the small cloud generation process.
Since 4) and 4) are combined according to the pitch angle X of the virtual camera 100, it is possible to express a cloud having a stereoscopic effect even though it is a simple method.

Further, the middle cloud generation processing makes it possible to represent a three-dimensional middle cloud whose shape changes corresponding to the position of the virtual camera 100 for observing the middle cloud. That is, the virtual camera 1
Even if the angle at which the middle cloud is viewed from 00 changes, the shape of the middle cloud does not become inconsistent, and it is possible to generate an image that does not look strange.

Further, since the expression of the air flow applied to the small cloud texture 102 appears to be reflected only on the edge of the medium cloud texture, a more realistic cloud can be expressed.

[0285] Furthermore, the sea of clouds can be three-dimensionally expressed without a feeling of strangeness by the sea of clouds generation processing. Further, since it is sufficient to arrange the middle cloud billboard only within the field of view of the virtual camera 100 (within the cloud setting region R), it is possible to reduce the processing related to the image generation of the sea of clouds.

The present invention is not limited to the one described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, in the initial setting at the time of generating the middle clouds, the small cloud billboards are distributed by being biased to the origin in the middle cloud coordinate system, but other positions may be used. . That is, in equation (5), each 4
Although it has been described that (R _max −R _min ) / 2 is subtracted from the average of the two random numbers, a small cloud billboard in the middle cloud coordinate system can be obtained by subtracting (or adding) an appropriate value for each component. The distribution position of the aggregate of may be changed.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 43, the distribution of small cloud billboards may be dispersed into several distributions. That is,
The 32 cloud cloud billboards may be divided into several pieces, and the coordinates of the central point of the distribution (that is, the position of the distribution bias) may be given to each aggregate. In this way, by dispersing the distribution of the small cloud billboard in one middle cloud into several, it is possible to obtain a horizontal middle cloud as shown in FIG. 44 (a) and a complicated shape as shown in FIG. 44 (b). It is possible to generate middle clouds and the like.

Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, even in the distant view cloud setting processing, the same number n of clouds as in the cloud setting region R are set, but the clouds placed in the distant view cloud setting region Rf are Since it is far from the virtual camera 100 and does not need to be a very fine model, for example, the number of clouds to be set is reduced, and each cloud object is arranged to be large to reduce the processing. Also good.

Further, the cloud object is a peller polygon in which a medium cloud texture is mapped, but since it is a distant view, a simpler cloud texture may be mapped to generate a cloud object. In that case, in advance,
The cloud texture for the distant view may be stored in the storage unit 900.

Further, for example, in the cloud distribution map 924 shown in FIG. 30, the distribution between the part with cloud and the part without cloud may be changed over time. In that case, it is possible to express how the cloud flows and the distribution changes over time.

Although the layer width ALtw is set as a fixed value for each cloud layer, for example, the layer width ALtw may be changed in position. That is, the thick portion and the thin portion of the cloud layer may be set. In addition, for example, in the case of a cloud that develops with time, such as cumulonimbus, a part of the cloud layer becomes thicker with time, so that the width ALtw of the layer may be changed with time. Is also good.

In the above embodiment, the airplane game has been described as an example, but the player operates (steers) not only an airplane but also a helicopter or the like.

In the above embodiment, the home game machine has been described as an example, but the application of the present invention is as follows.
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a portable game device or an arcade game device. Also, for example, personal
It may be a computer device other than a game device such as a computer, a PDA, and a mobile phone.

[0294]

According to the present invention, it is possible to express a cloud having a stereoscopic effect, which is consistent with changes in the position of the virtual camera and the direction of the line of sight.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a home-use game machine.

FIG. 2 (a) Relationship between virtual camera and cloud texture,
(B) It is a figure explaining a virtual camera angle.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a concept of composition of a cloud texture.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a small cloud texture.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a cloud part A and a mask for the cloud part A.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a cloud part B and a mask for the cloud part B.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an airflow texture.

FIG. 8: (a) Cloud part A, (b) Cloud part B, (c)
It is a figure which shows an example of the image of an airflow texture.

FIG. 9 shows that the pitch angle X of the virtual camera is (a) X = 0 °,
It is a figure which shows an example of the small cloud texture in the case of (b) X = 45 degrees and (c) X = 90 degrees.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a principle of inverting a cloud texture.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an image example of a middle cloud.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a middle cloud coordinate system.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of small cloud distribution data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing (a) a positional relationship between the virtual camera in the middle cloud coordinate system, the origin of the middle cloud coordinate system and the projection screen, and (b) a relationship between the world coordinate system and the middle cloud coordinate system.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a middle cloud buffer.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a specific point and a specific vector.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a graph of a function f (ω).

18 (a) _FL (ω), (b) F _B (ω), (c)
It is a figure which shows the graph of each function of F _S ((omega)).

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a color determination table.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a relationship between a virtual camera and a cloud setting area.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a cloud setting area in the world coordinate system.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a cloud setting area in the cloud sea coordinate system.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining changes in the arrangement position of the middle cloud billboard with the movement of the cloud setting area.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining changes in the arrangement position of the middle cloud billboard as the cloud setting area moves.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen including clouds.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a field of view of a virtual camera and a cloud setting area.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of opacity distribution in a cloud setting area.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a distant view cloud setting area.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of an image including clouds set in a distant view cloud setting area.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a cloud distribution map.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of specific point color data 806.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of middle cloud distribution data.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of cloud layer data.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of drawing target setting data.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of cloud generation processing in the present embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of an initial setting process in the present embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the small cloud generation processing in the present embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the middle cloud generation processing in the present embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the sea of clouds generation processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration capable of implementing the present embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the present embodiment is applied to a game terminal connected to a host device via a communication line.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a distribution example of a small cloud billboard.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a distribution example of a small cloud billboard.

[Explanation of symbols]

500 operation part 600 processing unit 610 Game operation unit 612 Naka cloud generation unit 616 Initial setting section 618 Sea of clouds generator 630 image generator 632 Small cloud drawing unit 634 Nakacloud drawing department 640 Cloud Sea Drawing Department 700 display 800 temporary storage 802 small cloud buffer 804 Naka cloud buffer 806 Specific point color data 808 frame buffer 810 Drawing target setting data 900 storage 910 game program 950 initial data 924 cloud distribution map 926 Cloud layer data 928 color data 930 Function data 104 airflow texture

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP 2000-197769 (JP, A) JP 10-91812 (JP, A) JP 8-190639 (JP, A) JP 11-224349 (JP, A) JP 2000-268189 (JP, A) JP 11-175748 (JP, A) JP 4-267284 (JP, A) JP 1-125674 (JP, A) JP 5- 314241 (JP, A) International publication 99/060526 (WO, A1) Tsutomu Kikuchi, 2 persons, “cumulus-type visual simulation”, Journal of the Institute of Image Electronics Engineers of Japan, April 25, 1999, Volume 28. , No. 2, p. 140-151 Hidesawa Osawa, “The Road to 3D Master, Shade Professional Edition (2of3) / Expressing Real Nature Scenes”, MdN, MDI Corporation, May 1, 1999, Volume 61, p. 102-107 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06T 15/70 A63F 13/00 G06T 15/00 CSDB (Japan Patent Office)

Claims (58)

(57) [Claims] Claim: What is claimed is:
A first device that will generate an image of the first object space as viewed from the virtual camera of the first virtual camera and execute a given game according to the value of the given angle parameter of the first virtual camera. By synthesizing a plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared in advance at a given ratio according to the current value of the given angle parameter, the first virtual space is created in the first virtual object space. a computable program by said processor for operating a first generating means for generating texture data to be reflected in the first cloud objects of the plate which is disposed toward the camera as, the first Means for generating the angle parameter of the first virtual camera.
Means for setting the angle parameter of the touch angle and / or the yaw angle
Of the pitch angle and / or yaw angle of the first virtual camera
Depending on the value of the angle parameter
The first cloud is replaced with the corresponding angle pattern of the first virtual camera.
A method of combining processing at a given ratio according to the current value of the parameter.
And a program for causing the column to function as
Information storage medium. 2. The first operation is controlled by a processor.
Image of the first object space seen from the virtual camera of
The first device that will generate and run a given game.
Position according to the value of the given angle parameter of the first virtual camera.
The plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared in advance are
Synthesis process at a given ratio according to the current value of the angle parameter of
To the first object space
The first cloud of the plate-shaped body arranged toward the first virtual camera
The texture information to be reflected on the striped object
The processor for functioning as a first generation unit.
A program that can be calculated by the first generation means,
If there is a first Kumomoto which is prepared Me pre depending Te on the pitch angle
In the case of the first virtual camera,
According to the angle of rotation,
First cloud prepared in advance according to the yaw angle as a meter
If there is, then the first cloud is replaced with the first virtual turtle.
Rotate according to the roll angle of the la to perform the combining process,
Information that stores a program to make it function like
Medium. 3. The information storage medium according to claim 1, wherein:
In the program, the first generation unit sets the given angle parameter as
If there is a first cloud prepared in advance according to the pitch angle
In the case of the first virtual camera,
According to the angle of rotation,
First cloud prepared in advance according to the yaw angle as a meter
If there is, then the first cloud is replaced with the first virtual turtle.
Rotate according to the roll angle of the la to perform the combining process,
It is a program to make it function like
Information storage medium. 4. The first operation is controlled by a processor.
Image of the first object space seen from the virtual camera of
The first device that will generate and run a given game.
Position according to the value of the given angle parameter of the first virtual camera.
The plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared in advance are
Synthesis process at a given ratio according to the current value of the angle parameter of
To the first object space
The first cloud of the plate-shaped body arranged toward the first virtual camera
The texture information to be reflected on the striped object
The processor for functioning as a first generation unit.
And a pitch of the first virtual camera, the first generation means
At least two types of corners for horizontal and vertical
The first cloud prepared is used for the first virtual camera
By combining processing at a given ratio according to the angle
Prepared in advance according to the pitch angle of the first virtual camera
Let it function as if it synthesizes multiple types of first cloud.
Information storage medium characterized by being a program for
body. 5. The information record according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
In the storage medium, the program may be arranged such that the first generation means sets the pitch of the first virtual camera.
At least two types of corners for horizontal and vertical
The first cloud prepared is used for the first virtual camera
By combining processing at a given ratio according to the angle
Prepared in advance according to the pitch angle of the first virtual camera
Let it function as if it synthesizes multiple types of first cloud.
Information storage medium characterized by being a program for
body. 6. The information storage medium according to claim 4 or 5.
Then, in the program, the first generation unit rolls the first virtual camera.
First for the horizontal direction and for the vertical direction depending on the angle
The cloud is rotated, and the above-mentioned composition processing is performed.
Information storage characterized by being a program for
Medium. 7. The information record according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
The program is a storage medium, wherein the program stores the first virtual camera in the first vertical cloud.
It corresponds to the case where the pitch angle of La is elevation angle and depression angle.
There are two types of first cloud elements, and the first generation means is the first vertical direction cloud element.
The two types of first cloud elements included therein are converted into the first virtual cloud.
By switching according to the pitch angle of the camera,
To make it function as the first cloud for direct direction
An information storage medium characterized by being a program. 8. The information record according to any one of claims 4 to 7.
The program is a storage medium, wherein the program stores the first virtual camera in the first cloud for the horizontal direction.
It corresponds to each angle range that divides the yaw angle range of La.
In addition, there are a plurality of types of first cloud elements, and the first generation unit converts the horizontal direction first cloud elements.
The plurality of types of first cloud elements included in the first virtual
By switching according to the yaw angle of the camera, the water
The first cloud for the horizontal direction, to function as
Information storage medium characterized program der Rukoto. 9. A second operation is controlled by a processor.
Image of the second object space seen from the virtual camera of
A second device that will generate and run a given game.
A second placement element that places a plurality of second flake elements in the cloud model space.
Stage, perspective transformation between the second virtual camera and the cloud model space
The cloud model virtual camera for
See through the cloud model space based on the model virtual camera
By converting, the second object space
The second plate-shaped member that is arranged toward the second virtual camera
Generates texture information to be reflected on the cloud object.
A second generation unit that can be operated by the processor
Information storage medium storing various programs. 10. The information storage medium according to claim 9,
And the program includes a light source in the second object space and the second cloud-shaped light source.
The second generation means based on the object and
It determines the color information of the generated texture information,
At least 2 in the second cloud-like object
Color information of one specific point is stored in the second object space.
It is decided based on the light source in the
Based on the color information determination based on the color information of the texture information
For further functioning the second device as a fixing means.
An information storage medium characterized by being a program. 11. A processor for calculating and controlling,
Image of the second object space seen from the second virtual camera
To generate a second game that will run a given game
A second placement device for placing a plurality of second fume elements in the cloud model space
Stage, by performing perspective transformation of the cloud model space,
In the object space of the second virtual camera.
To reflect the second cloud objects of the plate to be location
Second generating means for generating texture information, the light source of the second object space, and the second cloud shape
The second generation means based on the object and
It determines the color information of the generated texture information,
At least 2 in the second cloud-like object
Color information of one specific point is stored in the second object space.
It is decided based on the light source in the
Based on the color information determination based on the color information of the texture information
Computation by the processor for functioning as a constant means
An information storage medium that stores active programs. 12. An information storage medium according to claim 10 or 11.
In the above-mentioned program, the color information determining means is responsive to an angle of a light ray direction of the light source.
The color information prepared in advance at the specific point.
A given ratio depending on the angle of the light source direction
By processing, the color information of each specific point is determined.
It is a program for
Information storage medium to collect. 13. A processor temporarily executes calculation and control.
Generate an image of the object space viewed from the virtual camera,
The device that will run a given game is predicated on the value of the given angle parameter of the virtual camera.
The plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared for
Performs synthesis processing at a given ratio according to the current value of the parameter
To the virtual camera in the object space
The first cloud-like object of the plate-like object placed toward
First generating means for generating texture information to be projected, second arranging means for arranging a plurality of second cloud elements in the cloud model space
The perspective of the cloud model space,
A plate shape that is placed in the eject space toward the virtual camera
Texture information to be reflected in the second cloud-like object of the body
Second generation means for generating information, and texture information generated by the first generation means
Means for reflecting on the first cloud-shaped object, a hand using the first cloud-shaped object as the second cloud element
Operation by the processor to function as a stage
An information storage medium that stores active programs. 14. The professional according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
Gram and the program according to any one of claims 9 to 12.
A program including a ram, wherein the first device the second device are the same device, hand the device for the first virtual camera and the second virtual camera
The texture information generated by the first generating means.
Means for reflecting on the first cloud-shaped object, a hand using the first cloud-shaped object as the second cloud element
Information storage that stores a program for functioning as a step
Medium. 15. A processor for calculating and controlling,
Image of the third object space viewed from virtual camera 3
To generate a third game that will run a given game
By deploying the device in a repeating pattern for a given placement position
Third cloud element arranged in plural in the third object space
The arrangement position determining means for determining the arrangement position of the plate, the arrangement position determined by the arrangement position determining means,
A third arranging means for arranging the third cloud element of the shape, and the third cloud element is given to the third virtual camera.
And a third cloud based on the distance from the third virtual camera , facing each other.
Third Kumomoto region setting means for setting the element placement region, together function as the third arrangement means, before the third Kumomoto arrangement region
Note: To place the third cloud element, to make it function as
Information stored in a program that can be calculated by the processor
Information storage medium. 16. A processor for calculating and controlling,
Image of the third object space viewed from virtual camera 3
To generate a third game that will run a given game
By deploying the device in a repeating pattern for a given placement position
Third cloud element arranged in plural in the third object space
The arrangement position determining means for determining the arrangement position of the plate, the arrangement position determined by the arrangement position determining means,
A third arranging means for arranging the third cloud element of the shape, and the third cloud element is given to the third virtual camera.
Of the third cloud element in the third object space.
Set the transparency of each of the third cloud elements according to the arrangement position.
Computation by the processor for functioning as third cloud transparency setting means
An information storage medium that stores active programs. 17. The information storage medium according to claim 15,
And the program stores the third device in the third object space.
The third clouds depending on the arrangement position of the third clouds.
Third cloud transparency setting means for setting transparency of the element
It is a program for further functioning
Information storage medium. 18. An information storage medium according to claim 16 or 17.
In the above-mentioned program, the third cloud transparency setting means sets the third object.
Based on the cloud distribution map showing the existence of clouds in the space
And set the transparency of each of the 3rd cloud
Information description characterized by being a program for
Storage medium. 19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18.
An information storage medium, wherein the program is configured such that the third cloud transparency setting unit causes the third virtual camera.
Based on the distance from La to each of the third cloud,
To set the transparency of the third cloud, to make it function as
An information storage medium characterized by being a program of. 20. The information storage medium according to claim 15.
And the program causes the third device to arrange the third cloud unit at a distance from the third virtual camera.
A fourth cloud element placement region is set farther than the region.
A cloud region setting means, a fourth cloud of the plate-shaped body substantially water in the fourth cloud arrangement region.
It is a program for further functioning as a fourth arrangement means for arranging a plurality of pieces in a flat shape.
Information storage medium to collect. 21. The information storage medium according to claim 20,
And the program uses the third device by the arrangement position determining means.
By expanding a given placement position repeating pattern
As means for determining the arrangement position of the fourth cloud element
In addition to further functioning, the fourth placement means causes the determined fourth cloud element placement.
The fourth cloud element is placed in a substantially horizontal position at the placement position.
It is a program for making the
Information storage medium. 22. The information storage medium according to claim 20 or 21.
And a program for controlling the third device according to an arrangement position of the fourth cloud element.
And the fourth cloud element that sets the transparency of each of the fourth cloud elements.
Program for further functioning as brightness setting means
An information storage medium characterized by: 23. The information storage medium according to claim 22,
In the program, the fourth cloud transparency setting means sets the third object.
Based on the cloud distribution map showing the existence of clouds in the space
And set the transparency of each of the 4th cloud
Information description characterized by being a program for
Storage medium. 24. The information storage medium according to claim 22 or 23.
In the above-mentioned program, the fourth cloud transparency setting means sets the third virtual turtle
Based on the distance from La to each of the fourth cloud,
To set the transparency of the fourth cloud, to make it function as
An information storage medium characterized by being a program of. 25. A processor temporarily calculates and controls by a processor.
Generate an image of the object space viewed from the virtual camera,
A second placement device for placing a plurality of second cloud elements in the cloud model space is used as a device for executing a given game.
The perspective of the cloud model space,
A plate shape that is placed in the eject space toward the virtual camera
Texture information to be reflected in the second cloud-like object of the body
A second generating means for generating information, by expanding a given arrangement position repeating pattern
Arrangement of a plurality of third cloud elements arranged in the object space
Arrangement position determining means for determining the position, the plate at the arrangement position determined by the arrangement position determining means
Third arranging means for arranging the third cloud element in the shape of a body, and the third cloud element in a given direction with respect to the virtual camera.
The texture information generated by the second generation means
Means for reflecting on the second cloud-shaped object, a hand using the second cloud-shaped object as the third cloud element
Operation by the processor to function as a stage
An information storage medium that stores active programs. 26. The process according to any one of claims 9 to 12.
25 and the program according to any one of claims 15 to 24.
A program including a program, wherein the second device a third device is the same device, hand the device, to the second virtual camera and the third virtual camera
Dan, the second object space to the third object
Means for making space, texture information generated by the second generation means
Means for reflecting on the second cloud-shaped object, a hand using the second cloud-shaped object as the third cloud element
Information storage that stores a program for functioning as a step
Medium. 27. An information storage medium according to claim 25 or 26.
A program that is a body and is stored in the information storage medium
Is generated by the second generation means.
A plurality of devices that are generated by the second generation means and that are configured to function as
By reflecting the type of texture information, the texture
Multiple types of second cloud-shaped objects with different tea information
The third arranging means further functions as a means for generating the second cloud-shaped objects.
A program for placing objects and making them function as
An information storage medium characterized by being a system. 28. The calculation / control by the processor temporarily
Generate an image of the object space viewed from the virtual camera,
A device that is to execute a given game is provided with the virtual camera according to the change of the position of the virtual camera.
A cloud-shaped object approaching the virtual camera from near the center of the field of view.
Increase the transparency to the project, and view from a distance
For a cloud-like object moving near the center of
The process for functioning as a means to reduce the
Information storage medium that stores programs that can be calculated by the
body. 29. A first object viewed from a first virtual camera.
Generate an image of the vector space and execute a given game
A game device for responding to a value of a given angle parameter of the first virtual camera.
The plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared in advance are
Synthesis process at a given ratio according to the current value of the angle parameter of
To the first object space
The first cloud of the plate-shaped body arranged toward the first virtual camera
The texture information to be reflected on the striped object
A first generating means is provided, and the first generating means sets the given angle parameter to the pixel of the first virtual camera.
Means for setting the angle parameter of the touch angle and / or the yaw angle
Of the pitch angle and / or yaw angle of the first virtual camera
Depending on the value of the angle parameter
The first cloud is replaced with the corresponding angle pattern of the first virtual camera.
A method of combining processing at a given ratio according to the current value of the parameter.
A game device having a step . 30. A first object viewed from a first virtual camera.
Generate an image of the vector space and execute a given game
A game device for responding to a value of a given angle parameter of the first virtual camera.
The plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared in advance are
Synthesis process at a given ratio according to the current value of the angle parameter of
To the first object space
The first cloud of the plate-shaped body arranged toward the first virtual camera
The texture information to be reflected on the striped object
A first generating means, wherein the first generating means sets the given angle parameter as
If there is a first cloud prepared in advance according to the pitch angle
In the case of the first virtual camera,
According to the angle of rotation,
First cloud prepared in advance according to the yaw angle as a meter
If there is, then the first cloud is replaced with the first virtual turtle.
Rotate according to the roll angle of the la to perform the combining process,
A game device characterized by the above. 31. The game device according to claim 29.
Te, said first generating means, and said given angular parameters
If there is a first cloud prepared in advance according to the pitch angle
In the case of the first virtual camera,
According to the angle of rotation,
First cloud prepared in advance according to the yaw angle as a meter
If there is, then the first cloud is replaced with the first virtual turtle.
Rotate according to the roll angle of the la to perform the combining process,
Game device for a feature that. 32. A first object viewed from a first virtual camera.
Generate an image of the vector space and execute a given game
A game device for responding to a value of a given angle parameter of the first virtual camera.
The plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared in advance are
Synthesis process at a given ratio according to the current value of the angle parameter of
To the first object space
The first cloud of the plate-shaped body arranged toward the first virtual camera
The texture information to be reflected on the striped object
A first generating means, wherein the first generating means is the pitch of the first virtual camera.
At least two types of corners for horizontal and vertical
The first cloud prepared is used for the first virtual camera
By combining processing at a given ratio according to the angle
Prepared in advance according to the pitch angle of the first virtual camera
Characterized in that it synthesizes a plurality of types of first cloud
Game device. 33. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 31.
A game device, wherein the first generation means is the pitch of the first virtual camera.
At least two types of corners for horizontal and vertical
The first cloud prepared is used for the first virtual camera
By combining processing at a given ratio according to the angle
Prepared in advance according to the pitch angle of the first virtual camera
Characterized in that it synthesizes a plurality of types of first cloud
Game device. 34. The game device according to claim 32 or 33.
And the first generation means is the roll of the first virtual camera.
First for the horizontal direction and for the vertical direction depending on the angle
The cloud processing is performed by rotating the cloud element of
Game device to play. 35. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 34.
In the game device, the first virtual cloud for the vertical direction is the first virtual turtle.
The pitch angle of La corresponds to the case of depression and your elevation, further
There are two types of first cloud elements, and the first generation means is the first vertical direction cloud element.
The two types of first cloud elements included therein are converted into the first virtual cloud.
By switching according to the pitch angle of the camera,
A game in which the first cloud for direct direction is used
apparatus. 36. The method according to claim 32.
In the game device, the first virtual camera for the horizontal direction is the first virtual turtle.
It corresponds to each angle range that divides the yaw angle range of La.
In addition, there are a plurality of types of first cloud elements, and the first generation unit converts the horizontal direction first cloud elements.
The plurality of types of first cloud elements included in the first virtual
By switching according to the yaw angle of the camera, the water
A game in which the first cloud for the horizontal direction is used
apparatus. 37. A second object viewed from a second virtual camera.
Generate an image of the vector space and execute a given game
And a second placement hand for placing a plurality of second cloud elements in the cloud model space.
Stage, perspective transformation of the second virtual camera and the cloud model space
The cloud model virtual camera for
See through the cloud model space based on the model virtual camera
By converting, the second object space
The second plate-shaped member that is arranged toward the second virtual camera
Generates texture information to be reflected on the cloud object.
And a second generating unit . 38. The game device according to claim 37.
Te, a light source of the second object space, the second cloud
The second generation means based on the object and
It determines the color information of the generated texture information,
At least 2 in the second cloud-like object
Color information of one specific point is stored in the second object space.
It is decided based on the light source in the
Based on the color information determination based on the color information of the texture information
A game machine further comprising a determining means. 39. A second object viewed from a second virtual camera.
Generate an image of the vector space and execute a given game
And a second placement hand for placing a plurality of second cloud elements in the cloud model space.
And a second step by perspectively transforming the cloud model space.
In the object space of the second virtual camera.
Reflect it on the second cloud-shaped object of the placed plate
Second generation means for generating texture information, a light source of the second object space, and the second cloud shape
The second generation means based on the object and
It determines the color information of the generated texture information,
At least 2 in the second cloud-like object
Color information of one specific point is stored in the second object space.
It is decided based on the light source in the
Based on the color information determination based on the color information of the texture information
A game device including a setting means . 40. The game device according to claim 38 or 39.
The color information determining means is adapted to adjust the angle of the light source in the direction of the ray.
The color information prepared in advance at the specific point.
A given ratio depending on the angle of the light source direction
By processing, the color information of each specific point is determined.
A game device characterized by the following. 41. An object space viewed from a virtual camera
A game for generating images to run a given game
A device, which is capable of predicting a value of a given angle parameter of the virtual camera.
The plurality of types of first cloud elements prepared for
Performs synthesis processing at a given ratio according to the current value of the parameter
To the virtual camera in the object space
The first cloud-like object of the plate-like object placed toward
First generation means for generating texture information to be projected, and second arrangement means for arranging a plurality of second cloud elements in the cloud model space.
And a perspective transformation of the cloud model space
A plate shape that is placed in the eject space toward the virtual camera
Texture information to be reflected in the second cloud-like object of the body
The second generation means for generating the information and the texture information generated by the first generation means.
Means for reflecting the first cloud-shaped object on the first cloud-shaped object, and a hand for setting the first cloud-shaped object as the second cloud element
A game device including a step. 42. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 36.
In the game device, the texture information generated by the first generating means is
Means for reflecting on the first cloud-like object, and means for making the first cloud-like object a second cloud
And a second array that arranges a plurality of the second cloud elements in the cloud model space.
Position means, the first virtual camera, and the cloud model space in perspective transformation
The cloud model virtual camera for
See through the cloud model space based on the model virtual camera
By converting to the first object space
The second plate-shaped member that is arranged toward the first virtual camera
Generates texture information to be reflected on the cloud object.
And a second generating unit . 43. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 36.
In the game device, the texture information generated by the first generating means is
Means for reflecting on the first cloud-like object, and means for making the first cloud-like object a second cloud
And a second array that arranges a plurality of the second cloud elements in the cloud model space.
The first means by perspectively transforming the placement means and the cloud model space.
In the object space of the first virtual camera.
Reflect it on the second cloud-shaped object of the placed plate
Second generation means for generating texture information, a light source of the first object space, and a second cloud shape
And based on the the object, by the second generation means
It determines the color information of the generated texture information,
At least 2 in the second cloud-like object
Color information of three specific points is stored in the first object space.
It is decided based on the light source in the
Based on the color information determination based on the color information of the texture information
A game device including a setting means . 44. A third object viewed from a third virtual camera.
Generate an image of the vector space and execute a given game
A game apparatus for, by deploying a given position repeating pattern
Third cloud element arranged in plural in the third object space
A placement position determining means for determining the placement position of the plate, and a plate at the placement position determined by the placement position determining means.
A third arranging means for arranging the third cloud element in a shape, and the third cloud element being provided to the third virtual camera.
The third cloud based on the distance from the third virtual camera and the facing arrangement means facing in the direction of
Third cloud element region setting means for setting the element arrangement area , wherein the third arrangement element is located in the third cloud element arrangement area.
A game device characterized by arranging a third cloud element
Place 45. A third object viewed from a third virtual camera.
Generate an image of the vector space and execute a given game
A game apparatus for, by deploying a given position repeating pattern
Third cloud element arranged in plural in the third object space
A placement position determining means for determining the placement position of the plate, and a plate at the placement position determined by the placement position determining means.
A third arranging means for arranging the third cloud element in a shape, and the third cloud element being provided to the third virtual camera.
Of the third cloud element in the third object space.
Set the transparency of each of the third cloud elements according to the arrangement position.
And a third cloud transparency setting unit . 46. The game device according to claim 44.
Of the third cloud element in the third object space
Set the transparency of each of the third cloud elements according to the arrangement position.
A third cloud transparency setting unit,
And the game device. 47. The game device according to claim 45 or 46.
In addition, the third cloud transparency setting means is the third object.
Based on the cloud distribution map showing the existence of clouds in the space
The transparency of each of the third cloud elements is set.
And the game device. 48. The method according to any one of claims 45 to 47.
A game device, wherein the third cloud transparency setting means is the third virtual camera.
Based on the distance from La to each of the third cloud,
A game characterized by setting the transparency of the third cloud.
Device. 49. A game device according to claim 44.
And the distance from the third virtual camera is the third cloud arrangement.
A fourth cloud element placement region is set farther than the region.
The fourth cloud element of the plate-shaped body is substantially water-filled in the cloud element area setting means and the fourth cloud element arrangement area.
A game apparatus, further comprising: a fourth arranging unit arranged in a flat shape . 50. The game device according to claim 49.
The given placement position used by the placement position determining means.
By expanding the return pattern, the fourth cloud
Means for determining a position, in Tomo further comprising a fourth arrangement means, distribution of the fourth Kumomoto the determined
Arranging the fourth cloud in a horizontal position in a substantially horizontal position
A game device characterized by. 51. The game device according to claim 49 or 50.
And each of the fourth cloud elements according to the arrangement position of the fourth cloud elements.
A fourth cloud transparency setting means for setting the transparency of
A game device provided with. 52. The game device according to claim 51.
Then, the fourth cloud transparency setting means sets the third object.
Based on the cloud distribution map showing the existence of clouds in the space
And setting the transparency of each of the fourth clouds.
And the game device. 53. The game device according to claim 51 or 52.
And the fourth cloud transparency setting means is the third virtual camera.
Based on the distance from La to each of the fourth cloud,
A game characterized by setting the transparency of the fourth cloud.
Device. 54. Object space of the virtual camera
A game for generating images to run a given game
A second arranging device for arranging a plurality of second cloud elements in the cloud model space
And a perspective transformation of the cloud model space
A plate shape that is placed in the eject space toward the virtual camera
Texture information to be reflected in the second cloud-like object of the body
A second generating means for generating a report and by expanding a given arrangement position repeating pattern
Arrangement of a plurality of third cloud elements arranged in the object space
Arrangement position determining means for determining a position, and a plate at the arrangement position determined by the arrangement position determining means.
A third arranging means for arranging the third cloud element in a shape, and the third cloud element in a given direction with respect to the virtual camera.
And opposed means for directing, the texture information generated by the second generating means
Means for reflecting on the second cloud-shaped object, and a hand for setting the second cloud-shaped object as the third cloud element
A game device including a step. 55. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 53.
A game device, which is a second placement device that places a plurality of second cloud elements in a cloud model space.
Stage, perspective transformation of the third virtual camera and the cloud model space
The cloud model virtual camera for
See through the cloud model space based on the model virtual camera
By converting, the third object space
The second plate-shaped member that is arranged toward the third virtual camera
Generates texture information to be reflected on the cloud object.
The second generating means and the texture information generated by the second generating means.
Means for reflecting on the second cloud-shaped object, and a hand for setting the second cloud-shaped object as the third cloud element
A game device including a step. 56. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 53.
A game device, which is a second placement device that places a plurality of second cloud elements in a cloud model space.
And the third model by perspectively transforming the cloud model space.
To the third virtual camera in the object space of
Reflect it on the second cloud-shaped object of the placed plate
Second generation means for generating texture information, a light source of the third object space, the second cloud shape
The second generation means based on the object and
It determines the color information of the generated texture information,
At least 2 in the second cloud-like object
Color information of three specific points is stored in the third object space.
It is decided based on the light source in the
Based on the color information determination based on the color information of the texture information
Determining means and the texture information generated by the second generating means.
Means for reflecting on the second cloud-shaped object, and a hand for setting the second cloud-shaped object as the third cloud element
A game device including a step. 57. The method according to any one of claims 54 to 56.
In the game device, the second generation unit generates a plurality of types of texture information.
And a plurality of types of texts generated by the second generation means
By reflecting the char information, the difference in texture information
Means for generating a plurality of types of second cloud-shaped objects
Further comprising: the third arranging means,
A game device characterized by arranging a project. 58. The object space viewed from the virtual camera
A game for generating images to run a given game
A virtual camera according to a change in the position of the virtual camera.
A cloud-shaped object approaching the virtual camera from near the center of the field of view.
Increase the transparency to the project, and view from a distance
For a cloud-like object moving near the center of
A game device including means for reducing the degree.