JP4391633B2 - Image generation system and information storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image generation system and an information storage medium.
[0002]
[Background Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image generation system that generates an image that can be seen from a given viewpoint in an object space that is a virtual three-dimensional space is known, and is popular as being able to experience so-called virtual reality. In such an image generation system, it has been desired to generate a more realistic image in order to improve the player's virtual reality.
[0003]
On the other hand, various anime movies and images are gaining popularity. These do not attract people with the reality close to live-action, but attract people with the fun of cel-style images unique to anime.
[0004]
However, since such animation images are projected by playing back animation cell images prepared in advance, they are used for movie and game opening movie images, etc., and are used for game images that change in real time. There wasn't.
[0005]
Therefore, the present applicant has proposed and developed an image generation system that changes a cel animation-like image in real time in accordance with an operation input of a player. And, in order to generate an image close to cel animation, we devised to generate an image with an emphasized outline, but there is a problem of how to generate an image with an emphasized outline with a small processing burden. It was.
[0006]
Theoretically, a cel animation image can be rendered in real time by rendering a cel animation style on a three-dimensional object, and an animation shader is known as such a method. However, the method of the animation shader is heavy in processing load, so it is difficult to adopt it in home and business game systems that require real-time performance.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image generation system and an information storage medium for performing contouring capable of producing a cel animation style image with a smaller processing load. Is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is an image generation system for generating an image, and includes a means for calculating information necessary for specifying the contour of a three-dimensional object, and a contour added based on the information necessary for specifying the contour. Means for generating a processed image.
[0009]
The information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer, and includes a program for executing the above means. The program according to the present invention is a program (including a program embodied in a carrier wave) that can be used by a computer, and includes a processing routine for executing the above means.
[0010]
According to the present invention, it is possible to calculate information necessary for specifying a contour and generate an image in which a contour is added to the original image. Therefore, even if the information regarding the contour line is not previously stored for each object, it is possible to perform contouring by calculating information necessary for specifying the contour in real time. For this reason, it is possible to further enhance the effect of performing a cel animation-like effect on the three-dimensional object.
[0011]
In addition, the image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention specify a contour portion by shifting a three-dimensional object by a minute value in a plurality of different directions and arranging them in a given three-dimensional space. It is characterized by calculating necessary information.
[0012]
A given three-dimensional space means a three-dimensional space in which a three-dimensional object before perspective transformation is placed, and may be a local coordinate system space, a world coordinate system space, or a viewpoint coordinate system space. It may be a space having another coordinate system.
[0013]
Here, the minute value is preferably given according to the width of the contour to be added. For example, when it is desired to add a thick outline, it is preferable to increase the value of the minute value as compared with the case where a thin outline is desired.
[0014]
By shifting the three-dimensional object by a minute value in a plurality of different directions and superposing it on a given three-dimensional space, it is possible to specify a contour portion having a minute value width around the space where the three-dimensional object is superimposed. Therefore, this can be used as information necessary for specifying the contour portion, and an image with a contour can be generated.
[0015]
According to the present invention, information necessary for specifying a contour portion by a simple algorithm and arithmetic processing in which a three-dimensional object is shifted by a minute value in a plurality of different directions and placed in a given three-dimensional space is obtained. Obtainable.
[0016]
The image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention shift a mask image that specifies an image after perspective transformation of a three-dimensional object or a drawing area of an image after perspective transformation by a minute value in a plurality of different directions. An image area including a contour portion is specified by drawing on a given drawing buffer.
[0017]
Here, the minute value is preferably given according to the width of the contour to be added. For example, when it is desired to add a thick outline, it is preferable to increase the value of the minute value as compared with the case where a thin outline is desired.
[0018]
The given drawing buffer is a storage area in which drawing information in units of pixels, such as a frame buffer, can be written.
[0019]
Superimposed by drawing a three-dimensional object after the perspective transformation or a mask image for specifying the drawing area of the perspective transformation image by shifting by a minute value in a plurality of different directions and overlaying it on a given drawing buffer A contour portion having a minute value width can be generated around the drawing area.
[0020]
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image to which an outline is added by a simple algorithm of drawing with a shift and arithmetic processing.
[0021]
Detailed contour information can be obtained by drawing in as many directions as possible, but increasing the number of drawing increases the processing burden, so it is most effective according to the shape of the image after perspective transformation. It is preferable to set a specific number of times of drawing.
[0022]
Further, when the mask image is drawn with the color of the contour line to be displayed, an image drawn with the color of the contour line with which the contour line with a minute value width is displayed around the superimposed drawing area can be generated.
[0023]
In addition, the image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention draw an image with a contour added to the original image by drawing the original image on pixels other than the contour portion of the image area including the contour portion. It is characterized by generating.
[0024]
Here, the original image is an image after a perspective transformation of a three-dimensional object or an image generated based on the image before the contour according to the present invention is given. For example, when texture mapping or the like is performed, the image is a texture mapped image.
[0025]
According to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image in which a contour is added to the original image by a simple algorithm and calculation processing in which the original image is superimposed and drawn on pixels other than the contour portion of the image area including the contour portion.
[0026]
The image generation system, information storage medium, and program according to the present invention draw a perspective-transformed image of a three-dimensional object in a spare frame buffer, and based on the image drawn in the spare frame buffer, the mask image and At least one of the original images is drawn in a frame buffer.
[0027]
According to the present invention, it is possible to speed up the processing by drawing with a two-pass method using a spare frame buffer.
[0028]
The image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention are drawn on each pixel of the given buffer or the spare frame buffer in which an image after perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object is drawn. Having mask information that can identify whether a three-dimensional object is an image after perspective transformation or a background portion, and drawing at least one of the original image and the mask image based on the mask information Features.
[0029]
By using the mask information, it becomes easy to specify at least one of the original image to be drawn and the mask image. The mask information may be given as the α value of the pixel information, for example, or a mask information buffer may be provided.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0031]
1. FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of this embodiment. In this figure, the present embodiment may include at least the processing unit 100 (or may include the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 170, or the processing unit 100, the storage unit 170, and the information storage medium 180), and other blocks. (For example, the operation unit 160, the display unit 190, the sound output unit 192, the portable information storage device 194, and the communication unit 196) can be arbitrary constituent elements.
[0032]
Here, the processing unit 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction instruction to each block in the system, game processing, image processing, sound processing, and the like. , DSP, etc.) or ASIC (gate array, etc.) or a given program (game program).
[0033]
The operation unit 160 is for a player to input operation data, and the function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, and a housing.
[0034]
The storage unit 170 serves as a work area such as the processing unit 100 or the communication unit 196, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a RAM.
[0035]
An information storage medium (storage medium usable by a computer) 180 stores information such as programs and data, and functions thereof are an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, and a hard disk. It can be realized by hardware such as a magnetic tape or a memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (this embodiment) based on information stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 stores information (program or program and data) for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100).
[0036]
Part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 180 is transferred to the storage unit 170 when the system is powered on. Information stored in the information storage medium 180 includes program code, image data, sound data, display object shape data, table data, list data, and data for instructing the processing of the present invention. It includes at least one of information, information for performing processing according to the instruction, and the like.
[0037]
The display unit 190 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment, and the function thereof can be realized by hardware such as a CRT, LCD, or HMD (head mounted display).
[0038]
The sound output unit 192 outputs the sound generated by the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a speaker.
[0039]
The portable information storage device 194 stores player personal data, save data, and the like. As the portable information storage device 194, a memory card, a portable game device, and the like can be considered.
[0040]
The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (for example, a host device or other image generation system), and functions as hardware such as various processors or a communication ASIC. Or by a program.
[0041]
The program or data for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) may be distributed from the information storage medium of the host device (server) to the information storage medium 180 via the network and the communication unit 196. Good. Use of such an information storage medium of the host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0042]
The processing unit 100 includes a game processing unit 110, an image processing unit 140, and a sound processing unit 150.
[0043]
Here, the game processing unit 110 receives coins (cost), various mode setting processing, game progress processing, selection screen setting processing, object position and rotation angle (rotation angle around X, Y, or Z axis). , Processing to move the object (motion processing), processing to determine the viewpoint position and line-of-sight angle (gaze direction), processing to place objects such as map objects in the object space, hit check processing, game results (results, results) ), Various game processes such as a process for a plurality of players to play in a common game space, a game over process, etc., from the operation data from the operation unit 160 and the portable information storage device 194. This is based on personal data, stored data, game programs, etc.
[0044]
The image processing unit 140 performs various types of image processing in accordance with instructions from the game processing unit 110. The sound processing unit 150 performs various types of sound processing in accordance with instructions from the game processing unit 110 and the like.
[0045]
Note that all of the functions of the image processing unit 140 and the sound processing unit 150 may be realized by hardware, or all of them may be realized by a program. Alternatively, it may be realized by both hardware and a program.
[0046]
The game processing unit 110 includes a movement / motion calculation unit 114.
[0047]
The movement / movement calculation unit 114 calculates movement information (position data, rotation angle data) and movement information (position data of each part of the object, rotation angle data) of an object such as a car. Based on the operation data input by the player, the game program, etc., the process of moving or moving the object is performed.
[0048]
More specifically, the movement / motion calculation unit 114 performs processing for obtaining the position and rotation angle of the object every frame (1/60 seconds), for example. For example, the position of the object in the (k-1) frame is PMk-1, the speed is VMk-1, the acceleration is AMk-1, and the time of one frame is Δt. Then, the position PMk and speed VMk of the object in the k frame are obtained by the following equations (1) and (2), for example.
[0049]
PMk = PMk-1 + VMk-1 * .DELTA.t (1)
VMk = VMk-1 + AMk-1 * .DELTA.t (2)
The image processing unit 140 includes a geometry processing unit (three-dimensional coordinate calculation unit) 142 and a drawing unit (rendering unit) 146.
[0050]
Here, the geometry processing unit 142 performs various types of geometry processing (three-dimensional coordinate calculation) such as coordinate transformation, clipping processing, perspective transformation, or light source calculation.
[0051]
The drawing unit 146 includes a contour processing unit 144, and performs an object drawing process based on the object data after geometry processing (after perspective transformation) and the texture stored in the texture buffer.
[0052]
The contour processing unit 144 calculates information necessary for specifying the contour of the three-dimensional object, and performs processing to generate an image with a contour added based on this information. For example, the contour portion is drawn by drawing a mask image for specifying a perspective transformation image of a three-dimensional object or a drawing area of the perspective transformation image by shifting a minute value in a plurality of different directions and overlaying a given drawing buffer. The image area to be included can be specified. Then, by drawing the original image on the pixels other than the contour portion of the image area including the contour portion, an image in which the contour is added to the original image can be generated.
[0053]
Here, the perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object is drawn in the spare frame buffer, and at least one of the mask image and the original image is drawn in the frame buffer based on the image drawn in the spare frame buffer. It may be.
[0054]
In addition, for each pixel of the given buffer or spare frame buffer in which an image after perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object is drawn, the image after perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object is drawn in the pixel. It is also possible to provide mask information that can identify whether the image is the background portion or the background portion, and draw at least one of the original image and the mask image based on the mask information.
[0055]
Note that the image generation system of the present embodiment may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, or not only the single player mode but also a multiplayer mode in which a plurality of players can play. The system may also be provided.
[0056]
Further, when a plurality of players play, game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or connected via a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Alternatively, it may be generated using a plurality of terminals.
[0057]
2. Features and Operations of this Embodiment The feature of this embodiment is that information necessary for specifying the contour of a three-dimensional object is calculated and an image with a contour added is generated based on the information.
[0058]
FIG. 2 shows an image when a normal rendering process that does not particularly emphasize the contour is performed on the donut-type three-dimensional object, and FIG. 3 is a rendering that emphasizes the contour of the present embodiment on the donut-type three-dimensional object. It represents the processed image.
[0059]
In the conventional three-dimensional CG, as shown in FIG. 2, it is common to generate a real and natural image closer to a real image.
[0060]
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the contour lines 210 and 220 are contoured to produce a 3D object that looks like a cell animation.
[0061]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example when performing contouring in the present embodiment.
[0062]
Hereinafter, a method for contouring a three-dimensional object in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0063]
First, a three-dimensional object to be contoured is perspective transformed into a screen coordinate form (step S10).
[0064]
Then, an image after the perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object (hereinafter referred to as an original image) is drawn on the RGB plane of the temporary buffer (preliminary frame buffer), and mask information is set in the α plane (step S20).
[0065]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a temporary buffer (spare frame buffer). The temporary buffer (reserve frame buffer) is a buffer in which pixel information of each pixel is drawn, and includes an R plane 310, a G plane 320, and a B plane 330 for storing the R, G, and B values of each pixel. And an α plane 340 for storing the α value of each pixel.
[0066]
The α value is used to store mask information that can identify whether the image drawn on the pixel is a perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object (hereinafter referred to as an original image) or a background portion. Note that the mask information may be a mask bit indicating whether the original image or the background portion is on or off, for example, by comparing the α value with a certain threshold value so that the original image and the background portion can be identified. May be given.
[0067]
The temporary buffer (reserved frame buffer) may be provided on the VRAM similarly to the frame buffer, or may be provided on the main memory. In this embodiment, a temporary buffer (reserved frame buffer) is provided on the VRAM in the same manner as the frame buffer, and the processing speed is increased by performing drawing in the two-pass method.
[0068]
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the R plane, the G plane, and the B plane 300 of the temporary buffer (reserved frame buffer) and the α plane 340. If 370 in FIG. 6A is the original image and 380 is the background, a mask indicating that the pixel in the area 360 corresponding to the original image of the α plane of the temporary buffer (preliminary frame buffer) is the original image. Information is stored.
[0069]
FIGS. 7A to 7F illustrate a state in which a contour is generated by drawing a mask image by shifting it by a minute value in a plurality of different directions with respect to a drawing position of the original image and overlaying it on the frame buffer. FIG. A reference numeral 410 in FIG. 7A represents a drawing position of the original image in the frame buffer 400. The mask image is an image for specifying the drawing area of the original image.
[0070]
In steps S30 to S60 in FIG. 4, the mask image is drawn while being shifted from the drawing planned position of the original image to the upper, lower, right and left.
[0071]
That is, the mask image is specified based on the mask information of the α plane in the temporary buffer (reserved frame buffer), and the mask image filled in the outline color is shifted by one pixel from the original drawing position of the original image in the frame buffer. (See step S30, 420 in FIG. 7B).
[0072]
Next, the mask image filled in the outline color is drawn at a position shifted by one pixel downward from the original drawing position of the original image in the frame buffer (see step S40, 430 in FIG. 7C).
[0073]
Next, the mask image filled in the outline color is drawn at a position shifted by one pixel to the right from the drawing position of the original image in the frame buffer (see step S50, 440 in FIG. 7D).
[0074]
Next, the mask image filled in the outline color is drawn at a position shifted by one pixel to the left from the drawing position of the original image in the frame buffer (see step S60, 450 in FIG. 7E).
[0075]
Then, the original image on the temporary buffer is drawn at the drawing position of the original image on the frame buffer (see step S70, FIG. 7F).
[0076]
Then, as shown in FIG. 7F, contour lines 472, 474, 476, and 478 having a width of 1 bit are generated on the upper and lower right and left sides around the original image.
[0077]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the mask image is shifted by a minute value in a plurality of different directions and drawn on the frame buffer so as to generate a contour portion having a minute value width around the superimposed drawing area. . Therefore, it is possible to generate an image to which an outline is added by a simple algorithm and calculation processing of drawing by shifting.
[0078]
3. Hardware Configuration Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0079]
The main processor 900 operates based on a program stored in the CD 982 (information storage medium), a program transferred via the communication interface 990, or a program stored in the ROM 950 (one of information storage media). Various processes such as processing, image processing, and sound processing are executed.
[0080]
The coprocessor 902 assists the processing of the main processor 900, has a product-sum calculator and a divider capable of high-speed parallel calculation, and executes matrix calculation (vector calculation) at high speed. For example, if a physical simulation for moving or moving an object requires processing such as matrix operation, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs (requests) the processing to the coprocessor 902. )
[0081]
The geometry processor 904 performs geometry processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, light source calculation, and curved surface generation, has a product-sum calculator and a divider capable of high-speed parallel computation, and performs matrix computation (vector computation). Run fast. For example, when processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, and light source calculation is performed, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs the geometry processor 904 to perform the processing.
[0082]
The data decompression processor 906 performs a decoding process for decompressing the compressed image data and sound data, and a process for accelerating the decoding process of the main processor 900. As a result, a moving image compressed by the MPEG method or the like can be displayed on the opening screen, the intermission screen, the ending screen, or the game screen. Note that the image data and sound data to be decoded are stored in the ROM 950 and the CD 982 or transferred from the outside via the communication interface 990.
[0083]
The drawing processor 910 performs drawing (rendering) processing of an object composed of primitive surfaces such as polygons and curved surfaces at high speed. When drawing an object, the main processor 900 uses the function of the DMA controller 970 to pass the object data to the drawing processor 910 and transfer the texture to the texture storage unit 924 if necessary. Then, the rendering processor 910 renders the object in the frame buffer 922 at high speed while performing hidden surface removal using a Z buffer or the like based on the object data and texture. The drawing processor 910 can also perform α blending (translucent processing), mip mapping, fog processing, trilinear filtering, anti-aliasing, shading processing, and the like. When an image for one frame is written in the frame buffer 922, the image is displayed on the display 912.
[0084]
The sound processor 930 includes a multi-channel ADPCM sound source and the like, and generates high-quality game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and sounds. The generated game sound is output from the speaker 932.
[0085]
Operation data from the game controller 942, save data from the memory card 944, and personal data are transferred via the serial interface 940.
[0086]
The ROM 950 stores system programs and the like. In the case of an arcade game system, the ROM 950 functions as an information storage medium, and various programs are stored in the ROM 950. A hard disk may be used instead of the ROM 950.
[0087]
The RAM 960 is used as a work area for various processors.
[0088]
The DMA controller 970 controls DMA transfer between the processor and memory (RAM, VRAM, ROM, etc.).
[0089]
The CD drive 980 drives a CD 982 (information storage medium) in which programs, image data, sound data, and the like are stored, and enables access to these programs and data.
[0090]
The communication interface 990 is an interface for transferring data to and from the outside via a network. In this case, as a network connected to the communication interface 990, a communication line (analog telephone line, ISDN), a high-speed serial interface bus, and the like can be considered. By using a communication line, data transfer via the Internet becomes possible. In addition, by using a high-speed serial interface bus, data can be transferred to and from other image generation systems, other game systems, or information processing devices (personal computers, printers, mice, keyboards, etc.). .
[0091]
All of the means of the present invention may be executed by hardware alone, or may be executed only by a program stored in an information storage medium or a program distributed via a communication interface. Alternatively, it may be executed by both hardware and a program.
[0092]
When each means of the present invention is executed by both hardware and a program, a program (program and data) for executing each means of the present invention using hardware is stored in the information storage medium. Will be stored. More specifically, the program instructs each processor 902, 904, 906, 910, 930, etc., which is hardware, and passes data if necessary. Each processor 902, 904, 906, 910, 930, etc. executes each means of the present invention based on the instruction and the passed data.
[0093]
FIG. 9A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the button 1104, and the like while viewing the game image displayed on the display 1100. Various processors and various memories are mounted on the built-in system board (circuit board) 1106. A program (or program and data) for executing each means of the present invention is stored in the memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.
[0094]
FIG. 9B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while viewing the game image displayed on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in the CD 1206, which is an information storage medium that is detachable from the main system, or in the memory cards 1208, 1209, and the like.
[0095]
FIG. 9C shows a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected to the host device 1300 via a network 1302 (a small-scale network such as a LAN or a wide area network such as the Internet). An example of applying this embodiment to a system including In this case, the stored information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300, for example. When the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n can generate game images and game sounds stand-alone, the host device 1300 receives a game program and the like for generating game images and game sounds from the terminal 1304-. 1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, which is transmitted to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminal.
[0096]
In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 9C, each unit of the present invention may be executed in a distributed manner between the host device (server) and the terminal. The storage information for executing each means of the present invention may be distributed and stored in the information storage medium of the host device (server) and the information storage medium of the terminal.
[0097]
The terminal connected to the network may be a home game system or an arcade game system. When connecting the arcade game system to a network, a portable information storage device capable of exchanging information with the arcade game system and exchanging information with the home game system. It is desirable to use (memory card, portable game device).
[0098]
The present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
[0099]
For example, in the invention according to the dependent claims of the present invention, a part of the constituent features of the dependent claims can be omitted. Moreover, the principal part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention can be made dependent on another independent claim.
[0100]
In the present embodiment, coordinate transformation or perspective transformation is given as an example of the geometry processing, but the geometry processing of the present invention is not limited to these.
[0101]
In addition, although RGB has been described as an example of color information, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a value such as HSV or HLS may be used.
[0102]
In this embodiment, the case where a two-pass format in which drawing is temporarily performed in a temporary buffer and then drawing is performed in a frame buffer is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be realized even when writing in the frame buffer in one pass, and drawing in the frame buffer may be performed in three passes or more.
[0103]
In the present embodiment, the case where the mask image is drawn at a position shifted by one pixel at the top, bottom, right, and left with respect to the drawing position of the original image and the image area including the contour portion is specified has been described as an example. I can't. Detailed contour information can be obtained by drawing in more different directions, but increasing the number of drawing increases the processing burden, so it is most effective depending on the shape of the image after perspective transformation It is preferable to set a proper number of drawing times.
[0104]
In the present embodiment, the case where the image area including the contour portion is specified based on the image after the perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information necessary for specifying a contour portion may be calculated by arranging three-dimensional objects before perspective transformation in a three-dimensional space so as to be shifted by a minute value in a plurality of different directions.
[0105]
The present invention can also be applied to various games (such as fighting games, shooting games, robot fighting games, sports games, competitive games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.).
[0106]
The present invention also relates to various image generation systems such as a business game system, a home game system, a large attraction system in which a large number of players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, an image generation system, and a system board for generating game images. Applicable.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram of an image generation system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows an image when a normal rendering process that does not particularly emphasize the contour is performed on a donut-type three-dimensional object.
FIG. 3 shows an image obtained by performing rendering processing with emphasis on the outline of the present embodiment on a donut-type three-dimensional object.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example when contouring is performed in the present embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a temporary buffer (spare frame buffer);
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the relationship between R, G, and B planes and an α plane of a temporary buffer (reserved frame buffer).
FIGS. 7A to 7F show a state in which an outline is generated by drawing a mask image by superimposing it on a frame buffer while shifting the mask image by a minute value in a plurality of different directions with respect to the drawing position of the original image. It is a figure for demonstrating.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.
FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams illustrating examples of various types of systems to which the present embodiment is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 processing unit 110 game processing unit 112 editing screen display unit 114 movement / motion calculation 140 image processing unit 142 geometry processing unit 144 contour processing unit 146 drawing unit 150 sound processing unit 160 operation unit 170 storage unit 172 main memory 174 frame buffer 176 texture Storage unit 180 Information storage medium 190 Display unit 192 Sound output unit 194 Portable information storage device 196 Communication unit

Claims (6)

An image generation system for generating an image,
Contour specifying information calculating means for calculating information necessary for specifying the contour of the three-dimensional object;
Contour-added image generating means for generating an image to which a contour is added based on information necessary for specifying the contour ,
The contour specifying information calculating means includes
A contour image is included by drawing a mask image for specifying a perspective transformation image of a three-dimensional object or a drawing area of a perspective transformation image by shifting a minute value in a plurality of different directions and overlapping the first rendering buffer. Identify the image area,
The contour added image generating means
The perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object is rendered in the second rendering buffer, and at least one of the mask image and the original image is rendered in the first rendering buffer based on the image rendered in the second rendering buffer. An image generation system characterized by drawing . An image generation system for generating an image,
Contour specifying information calculating means for calculating information necessary for specifying the contour of the three-dimensional object;
Contour-added image generating means for generating an image to which a contour is added based on information necessary for specifying the contour,
The contour specifying information calculating means includes
For each pixel of the image after the perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object, it has mask information that can identify whether the image drawn on the pixel is the image after the perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object or the background portion, A mask image is specified based on the mask information, and the specified mask image is shifted by a minute value in a plurality of different directions and drawn on a given drawing buffer so as to specify an image area including a contour portion. And
The contour added image generating means
An image generation system that draws at least one of an original image and a mask image based on the mask information. In either claim 1 or 2,
The contour added image generating means
An image generation system for generating an image in which a contour is added to an original image by drawing the original image on a pixel other than the contour portion of the image area including the contour portion. A computer-readable information storage medium,
Contour specifying information calculating means for calculating information necessary for specifying the contour of the three-dimensional object;
Contour-added image generating means for generating an image to which a contour is added based on information necessary for specifying the contour;
As a program to make the computer function as
The contour specifying information calculating means includes
A contour image is included by drawing a mask image for specifying a perspective transformation image of a three-dimensional object or a drawing area of a perspective transformation image by shifting a minute value in a plurality of different directions and overlapping the first rendering buffer. Identify the image area,
The contour added image generating means
The perspective-transformed image of the three-dimensional object is rendered in the second rendering buffer, and at least one of the mask image and the original image is rendered in the first rendering buffer based on the image rendered in the second rendering buffer. An information storage medium characterized by drawing . A computer-readable information storage medium,
Contour specifying information calculating means for calculating information necessary for specifying the contour of the three-dimensional object;
Contour-added image generating means for generating an image to which a contour is added based on information necessary for specifying the contour;
As a program to make the computer function as
The contour specifying information calculating means includes
For each pixel of the image after the perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object, it has mask information that can identify whether the image drawn on the pixel is the image after the perspective transformation of the three-dimensional object or the background portion, A mask image is specified based on the mask information, and the specified mask image is shifted by a minute value in a plurality of different directions and drawn on a given drawing buffer so as to specify an image area including a contour portion. And
The contour added image generating means
An information storage medium that draws at least one of an original image and a mask image based on the mask information . In either of claims 4 or 5,
The contour added image generating means
An information storage medium characterized by generating an image in which a contour is added to an original image by superimposing and drawing the original image on pixels other than the contour portion of the image area including the contour portion.

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