JP5613433B2 - Image processing program, recording medium, and computer apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing program for more realistically expressing a virtual space illuminated by a virtual light source as an image corresponding to the arrangement of a virtual camera, a recording medium storing the image processing program, and a computer apparatus.

  In recent years, action games have been put on the market to advance a game while subverting enemy characters such as monsters in a virtual game space. In such a game, an image (frame) obtained by photographing a three-dimensional virtual space with a virtual camera is generated by projecting the virtual space, and this is displayed on a display. Also, in order to more realistically represent the virtual space, a virtual light source is set in the virtual space, and the visual effect resulting from the light from this light source is combined with the image showing the virtual space There is also. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a concept of improving reality by reproducing a phenomenon called lens flare that occurs when strong light (sunlight or the like) from a light source is incident on a lens in an image showing a virtual space. Yes.

  In addition, there is known a technique for more realistically expressing a virtual space by synthesizing a sunscreen filter representing a visual effect caused by sunlight with an image showing the virtual space. This sunscreen filter is a gradation image that changes from white to colorless and transparent as it goes from the upper end to the lower end. Then, by synthesizing this gradation image with the image showing the virtual space, it is possible to express a state in which the upper portion near the sun as the light source is whitened.

JP 2005-215974 A

  However, since the gradation image generated using the above-described known technique does not take into account the change in the orientation and height of the virtual camera, it may make the viewer feel unnatural. For example, in the actual outdoor space, when the sun is located at the zenith (directly above the observer), the observer's field of view is above that due to the effects of direct sunlight from the sun and the diffuse reflection of sunlight from dust floating above the sun. Perceived with a slight whitening. In addition, the range perceived by whitening as the observer turns the viewpoint upward spreads downward, and conversely, the range perceived by whitening as the viewpoint turns downward narrows upward. Such visual effects caused by light from the light source in the real space are not sufficiently expressed in the image obtained by photographing the virtual space.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image processing program capable of more realistically expressing a virtual space illuminated by a virtual light source as an image corresponding to the arrangement of a virtual camera, a recording medium storing the image processing program, and a computer apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

  An image processing program according to the present invention controls an arrangement of a virtual camera that captures a virtual space and causes a computer of an image processing apparatus to display the virtual space captured by the virtual camera on a display unit using the virtual camera. Material image generating means for generating a virtual space material image showing the captured virtual space, a filter for generating a filter image corresponding to the entire area of the virtual space material image to express the virtual space illuminated by a virtual light source Functioning as image generation means, and composite image generation means for generating a virtual space composite image by combining the virtual space material image and the filter image. The filter image generation means The filter image partitioned into at least four corners of the region with respect to at least one of the regions The filter image is generated such that the region is a gradation image at least in the vertical direction based on the raw composite color information, and the vertical position of the boundary line is changed according to the change in the arrangement of the virtual camera in the vertical direction. It is configured to change.

  By setting it as such a structure, the area ratio of an upper side area | region and a lower side area | region can be changed according to arrangement | positioning regarding the up-down direction of a virtual camera. Therefore, the virtual space illuminated by the virtual light source can be expressed more realistically as an image according to the placement of the virtual camera.

  Further, the vertical camera arrangement in the vertical direction may include the vertical direction and / or height position of the virtual camera.

  In addition, the filter image generation unit may change the position of the boundary line downward when the virtual camera is relatively upward or high, and the virtual camera is relatively downward. Or, when it is low, the position of the boundary line may be changed upward.

  Further, the filter image generation means includes a reference pixel L1 located at the upper left of the virtual space material image, a reference pixel R1 located at the upper right, a reference pixel L2 located at the lower left, a reference pixel R2 located at the lower right, and the reference The reference pixel L3 located between the pixels L1 and L2 and located at the left end of the boundary line and the reference pixel R3 located between the reference pixels R1 and R2 and located at the right end of the boundary line are set in advance. You may have the reference | standard synthetic | combination color information acquisition means which acquires the said synthetic | combination color information based on a reference value.

  Further, the reference composite color information acquisition unit, when the virtual camera is facing a predetermined reference direction in a horizontal plane with respect to the light source, the composite color information of the reference pixels L1 to L3 and R1 to R3. As a reference value preset in association with the reference direction, and when the virtual camera is facing a direction other than the reference direction, the reference associated with the reference direction located nearby The composite color information of the reference pixels L1 to L3 and R1 to R3 may be acquired based on the value.

  Further, the composite color information of the reference pixels L1 to L3 and R1 to R3 may be configured to be changed according to the arrangement in the vertical direction of the virtual camera.

  The recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records any of the above-described image processing programs.

  A computer apparatus according to the present invention is a computer apparatus that reads and executes one of the image processing programs described above.

  According to the present invention, an image processing program capable of more realistically expressing a virtual space illuminated by a virtual light source as an image according to the arrangement of a virtual camera, a recording medium storing the image processing program, and a computer apparatus Can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the game device (computer apparatus) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller which comprises the game device shown in FIG. 1 separately. It is a schematic diagram which shows the virtual game space set in this game, and the image at the time of displaying this on a monitor. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the control part with which a game device is provided. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating arrangement | positioning change of a virtual camera. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the production | generation of a virtual space synthesized image. It is drawing for demonstrating a filter image, (a) is the reference pixel set to the filter image, (b) is the horizontal direction of a virtual camera, (c) is the horizontal direction of a virtual camera. The color information of each reference pixel that is associated and set in advance is shown. It is a graph for demonstrating the relationship between the vertical direction of a virtual camera, and the vertical position of an intermediate | middle reference pixel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a filter image, (a) is when the virtual camera is oriented in the horizontal direction, (b) is oriented upward from the horizontal direction, and (c) is below the horizontal direction. Each filter image is shown when directed to. It is a flowchart which shows the process which produces | generates a frame image, (a) shows the whole flow, (b) has shown the flow of the process which synthesize | combines a virtual space material image and a filter image. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual space composite image when the direction of the virtual camera is changed in the vertical direction when the virtual game space is on the ground during the daytime. It is a graph for demonstrating the relationship between the height position of a virtual camera, and the vertical position of an intermediate | middle reference pixel. It is a schematic diagram which shows a virtual space synthetic | combination image when the height position of a virtual camera is changed to an up-down direction in the underwater virtual game space. It is a graph which shows the modification of the relationship between the vertical direction of a virtual camera, and the vertical position of an intermediate | middle reference pixel.

  Hereinafter, an image processing program, a recording medium, and a computer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game device (computer device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game apparatus 1 is housed in a housing having a box shape with a size that can be carried with one hand. As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 1 includes a control unit 8, and the control unit 8 includes a CPU. (Central Processing Unit) 3 is provided. In the control unit 8, the CPU 3 is connected to a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 4, a main memory 5, and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 6 through a memory controller 2 that controls data transfer in an integrated manner. In the game apparatus 1, the memory controller 2 is connected to the memory controller 2 via the bus 9, a controller interface (hereinafter “interface” is referred to as “I / F”) 10, a video I / F 11, an external memory I / F 12, An audio I / F 13 and a disk I / F 14 are connected. A receiving unit 15 is connected to the controller I / F 10, and a disk drive 16 is connected to the audio I / F 13 and the disk I / F 14.

  Furthermore, the video I / F 11 and the audio I / F 13 included in the game apparatus 1 can be connected to a monitor 20 and a speaker 22 which are external devices, respectively, and a memory card 21 and an optical disc 23 as recording media are provided. The external memory I / F 12 and the disk drive 16 can be loaded respectively.

  Among these, the CPU 3 executes a startup program recorded in a boot ROM (not shown) to initialize the main memory 5 and the like, and then executes a game program (image processing) recorded on the optical disk 23 loaded in the disk drive 16. Program) 24, and performs game processing according to the content of the game program. The main memory 5 has a recording area for recording data used during the operation of the CPU 3. For example, the main memory 5 records a game program 24 read from the optical disc 23 and various data.

  The GPU 4 is composed of a semiconductor chip that performs calculation processing necessary for displaying three-dimensional graphics, and performs image processing based on an instruction from the CPU 3. For example, the GPU 4 generates each frame image of a three-dimensional virtual game space (virtual space) that changes over time using a partial recording area of the main memory 5 or a memory dedicated to image processing (not shown). This image can be displayed on the monitor 20 via the memory controller 2 and the video I / F 11.

  The DSP 6 processes sound data generated when the CPU 3 executes the game program 24, and is connected to an ARAM (Audio RAM) 7 for recording the sound data. The DSP 6 records the sound data pre-read from the optical disk 23 in the ARAM 7 and outputs the sound data read from the ARAM 7 at an appropriate timing. The sound data output from the DSP 6 is stored in the memory controller 2. And output from the speaker 22 to the outside via the audio I / F 13.

  On the other hand, the receiving unit 15 receives data sent from a controller (Remote controller) 30 (see FIG. 2) that is separate from the game apparatus 1, and the received data includes the controller I / F 10 and the controller I / F 10. The data is sent to the CPU 3 via the memory controller 2. The external memory I / F 12 can access a recording area in the memory card 21 with the memory card 21 loaded, and can read data in the recording area or write backup data.

  The speaker 22 connected to the audio I / F 13 outputs the sound data read from the ARAM 7 by the DSP 6 to the outside as described above, and directly outputs the sound data read from the optical disc 23 by the disk drive 16 to the outside. . Further, as described above, the disk drive 16 reads the game program 24 recorded on the loaded optical disk 23 and outputs the game program 24 to the audio I / F 13 or the disk I / F 14.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the controller 30 that is separate from the game apparatus 1. The controller 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing formed by plastic molding, for example, and is designed to have a size that can be held with one hand. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 30 includes an imaging information calculation unit 31, a communication unit 32, an operation unit 33, an acceleration sensor 34, and a vibrator 35.

  The imaging information calculation unit 31 includes an infrared filter 31a, a lens 31b, an imaging element 31c, and an image processing circuit 31d. The infrared filter 31a allows only infrared light out of incident light from the outside to pass to the lens 31b. The lens 31b condenses the infrared light that has passed through the infrared filter 31a and emits it to the image sensor 31c. The image pickup device 31c is an individual image pickup device such as a CMOS sensor, for example, and picks up infrared rays collected by the lens 31b to generate image data. Here, the monitor 20 (see FIG. 1) connected to the game apparatus 1 is provided with two light emitting units (not shown) that emit high-intensity infrared light. The light from the light emitting unit is detected by extracting a high luminance part from the image data generated in 31c. The image processing circuit 31 d calculates data indicating the direction of the controller 30 based on the detected light, and outputs the data to the communication unit 32.

  The communication unit 32 includes a microcomputer 32a, a memory 32b, a wireless module 32c, and an antenna 32d. The communication unit 32 wirelessly transmits predetermined data from the antenna 32d to the outside by the microcomputer 32a controlling the operation of the wireless module 32c. The memory 32b is a data recording area during transmission processing. Used as. The data wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 32d can be received by the receiving unit 15 (see FIG. 1) provided in the game apparatus 1.

  The operation unit 33 includes a cross key and various button switches, which can be operated by a player's hand holding the controller 30. When the operation unit 33 is operated by the player, an operation signal indicating which key or switch is operated is transmitted to the game apparatus 1 by the communication unit 32. The acceleration sensor 34 detects acceleration in the three orthogonal directions (vertical direction, horizontal direction, and front-rear direction) set for the controller 7, and a signal indicating the detected acceleration is a communication signal. The data is transmitted to the game apparatus 1 by the unit 32.

  The vibrator 35 includes a vibration motor or a solenoid having an eccentric mass, for example, and can generate vibrations in the controller 30 itself by its operation. By appropriately operating the vibrator 35, the player's hand holding the controller 30 can feel the vibration and a so-called vibration-compatible game can be realized.

  Note that the data indicating the orientation of the controller 30, the operation signal, the signal indicating the acceleration, and the like described above are temporarily stored in the memory 32b before being wirelessly transmitted from the communication unit 32. The microcomputer 32a controls the wireless module 32c, puts the data stored in the memory 32b on a carrier wave having a predetermined frequency, and transmits it from the antenna 32d at a predetermined short cycle.

[Description of game contents]
An example of a game that can be played by the game apparatus 1 executing the game program 24 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual game space set in this game and an image when this is displayed on the monitor 20. As shown in FIG. 3, in this game, a three-dimensional virtual game space 41 expressing the ground or the water is set (shown only in the case of the ground in FIG. 3). Type player characters and enemy characters imitating monsters appear (not shown). Among these, the player character is a character that can directly control the operation of the player by operating the controller 30. On the other hand, the enemy character C <b> 2 and the teammate character C <b> 3 are so-called non-player characters, and the player cannot directly control their movements, but is a character whose movements are controlled by the CPU 3 of the game apparatus 1. In the game according to the present embodiment, the player character is caused to act in the virtual game space 41 by the operation of the player, battles with enemy characters that appear one after another, and a predetermined mission is performed by subjugating them. It is an action game aimed at that.

  Further, when playing such a game, the game apparatus 1 displays an image P indicating the virtual game space on the monitor 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the image P is an image when the virtual game space 41 is photographed by the virtual camera 42 provided in the virtual game space 41. The placement of the virtual camera 42 can be changed by the operation of the controller 30 by the player, as will be described later. For example, in the virtual game space 41, the direction can be changed in an arbitrary direction in the horizontal plane as indicated by an arrow A1 in FIG. 3, and the vertical direction can be changed as indicated by an arrow A2. The height position in the vertical direction can be changed as indicated by arrow A3. When the arrangement of the virtual camera 42 is changed as described above, the image P captured by the virtual camera 42 in the changed state is displayed on the monitor 20.

  Furthermore, a virtual light source 43 such as the sun is set in the virtual game space 41 according to the present embodiment. The image P showing the virtual game space 41 is configured to express a visual effect that occurs when the virtual game space 41 is illuminated by the virtual light source 43. More specifically, when the sun is located at the zenith (immediately above the observer) in an actual outdoor space, the observer is affected by direct sunlight from the sun or the diffuse reflection of sunlight from dust floating above the sun. The field of view is perceived with a slight whitening at the top. In addition, the range perceived by whitening as the observer turns the viewpoint upward spreads downward, and conversely, the range perceived by whitening as the viewpoint turns downward narrows upward.

  Further, for example, when the observer is located in water, a visual effect due to sunlight is generated. That is, the observer's field of view is perceived with a slight whitening in the upper part of the viewer's field of view due to the effects of sunlight falling from above and diffuse reflection in water, and the perimeter in the front direction is perceived as blue, and the lower part is perceived as black. Is done. As the observer turns the viewpoint upward, the range perceived by whitening expands downward, and the range perceived by bluening and the range perceived by blackening narrows downward. Conversely, as the observer turns the viewpoint downward, the range perceived by whitening narrows upward, and the range perceived by blueening and the range perceived by blackening spreads upward.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to express the visual effect of the light from such a light source, a state in which the light source is not specified (for example, a state in which “whitening by the light source” referred to in the above ground example is not considered) By synthesizing the virtual space material image P1 showing the virtual game space 41 and the filter image P2 showing the visual effect ("whitening" in the above ground example) by the light from the light source 43, An image P showing the game space 41 (hereinafter referred to as “virtual space composite image P”) is configured. Then, the content of the filter image P2 is changed based on the arrangement (position, orientation) of the virtual camera 42. The generation of such a virtual space composite image P will be described in detail later.

[Functional configuration of control unit]
The virtual space composite image P as described above is generated by the control unit 8 provided in the game apparatus 1. Then, next, the function of the control part 8 including the function relevant to the production | generation of the virtual space synthesized image P is demonstrated.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 8 included in the game apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 8 includes character control means 51 and game progress control means 52, and further includes virtual camera control means 53, material image generation means 54, filter image generation means 55, and composite image generation means 56. It has. Among these, the character control means 51 controls the action of the player character acting in the virtual game space 41 according to the operation of the controller 30 by the player, and based on the data read from the game program 24, the virtual game space 41 Controls the movement of enemy characters that act inside. The game progress control means 52 advances the game according to the operation of the controller 30 by the player.

  The virtual camera control means 53 changes the arrangement of the virtual camera 42 according to the operation of the controller 30 by the player or according to the progress of the game. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the arrangement change of the virtual camera 42. As shown in FIG. 5, in this game, the horizontal direction of the virtual camera 42 (see also the arrow A1 in FIG. 3) can be changed. In the present embodiment, 360 is a plan view centered on the virtual camera 42. It can be directed in any direction. That is, an angle between a reference horizontal direction D1 which is a horizontal reference appropriately set in the virtual game space 41 and a horizontal direction of the virtual camera 42 (an angle in a clockwise direction around the virtual camera 42). ) Is a1, the angle a1 can take any value in the range of 0 to 360 degrees. In this embodiment, the reference horizontal direction D1 is the Z-axis direction, the direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction in the horizontal plane is the X-axis direction, and the height direction orthogonal to both the Z-axis direction and the X direction is the Y-axis. Direction (see also FIG. 3).

  Further, the virtual camera 42 can be changed in the vertical direction (see also the arrow A2 in FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, the virtual camera 42 can be arbitrarily set within a predetermined angle range centered on the virtual camera 42 in a side view. Can be directed. In other words, when the angle of the direction in which the virtual camera 42 is facing with respect to the front in the horizontal direction is a2, the upward angle can be directed to a predetermined angle of up to +90 degrees and the downward direction can be directed to a predetermined angle of up to -90 degrees. Can do. In addition, the virtual camera 42 can change the height position a3 in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the height position a3 with a predetermined height (initial height) as a reference is a predetermined upper limit value. And the lower limit value can be changed. Thus, the virtual camera control means 53 can change the horizontal angle a1, the vertical angle a2, and the vertical height position a3 of the virtual camera 42 in accordance with the operation of the controller 30 by the player. ing.

* Reference composite color information of filter image *
The material image generation means 54 included in the control unit 8 generates the virtual space material image P1 described above, the filter image generation means 55 generates the filter image P2, and the composite image generation means 56 The virtual space material image P1 and the filter image P2 are combined to generate a virtual space composite image P.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining generation of the virtual space composite image P. As shown in FIG. 6, the virtual space material image P1 generated by the material image generation means 54 is an image showing the virtual game space 41 in a state where the light source is not specified (whitening by the light source 43 is not considered). For example, in the case of the ground, it is a background image in which the ground, mountains, rocks, sea surface, sky, clouds, and the like are drawn. On the other hand, the filter image P2 generated by the filter image generation means 55 is an image showing a visual effect (for example, whitening) by the light from the light source 43. For example, in the case of the ground as shown in FIG. The gradation image changes from white to colorless and transparent as it goes from the bottom to the bottom. The virtual space material image P1 and the filter image P2 are rectangular images having the same aspect ratio and the same number of pixels. Further, from the viewpoint of illustration and ease of understanding, white is replaced with black in FIG.

Here, the filter image P2 generated by the filter image generation means 55 will be described in more detail. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the filter image P2, in which FIG. 7A shows the reference pixels set in the filter image, FIG. 7B shows the horizontal direction of the virtual camera 42, and FIG. 7C shows the virtual camera. The color information of each reference pixel preset in association with the horizontal direction 42 is shown. In short, the filter image generation means 55 generates the filter image P2 from the gradation image formed in each of the upper region H1 and the lower region H2 partitioned by a predetermined boundary line, while The vertical position of the boundary line is changed according to the change in the arrangement with respect to the direction.
In short, the filter image generation means 55 divides the virtual space material image P1 into upper and lower areas (areas H1 and H2) by a predetermined boundary line, and the composite color set for the pixels located at the four corners of each area. Based on the information, a gradation image corresponding to each region is formed to generate a filter image. Further, the vertical position of the boundary line is changed in accordance with the change in the arrangement of the virtual camera 42 in the vertical direction.

  More specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, six reference pixels are set in the filter image P2. That is, a reference pixel L1 located at the upper left vertex, a reference pixel L2 located at the lower left vertex, a reference pixel L3 located near the middle of the reference pixels L1 and L2 at the left end, and a position located at the upper right vertex are set. The reference pixel R1, the reference pixel R2 located at the lower right vertex, and the reference pixel R3 located near the middle of the reference pixels R1, R2 are set at the right end. The left and right reference pixels L3 and R3 form a boundary line that partitions the above-described regions H1 and H2.

  In other words, the filter image P2 has a rectangular shape with the reference pixels L1, L2, R1, and R2 as four corner points, and the reference pixels L3 and R3 are set on the left and right near the center. Then, the filter image P2 has a line segment connecting the reference pixels L3 and R3 (virtual boundary line, not displayed in the filter image P2), and the upper region H1 (reference pixels L1, R1, L3, and R3 are defined as four corners. Area) and a lower area H2 (an area having four corners of the reference pixels L2, R2, L3, R3). In the present embodiment, the line segment connecting the reference pixels L1 and R1, the line segment connecting the reference pixels L2 and R2, and the line segment (boundary line) connecting the reference pixels L3 and R3 are all parallel to each other. It has become.

  As described above, the virtual space material image P1 and the filter image P2 have the same aspect ratio and the same number of pixels. Therefore, the reference pixels L1, L2, R1, and R2 positioned at the four corners of the filter image P2 correspond to the pixels at the four corners of the virtual space material image P1, respectively, and the reference pixels P3 and R3 are the virtual space material image P1. It corresponds to the pixels near the middle in the vertical direction at the left and right ends.

  In these reference pixels L1 to L3 and R1 to R3, color information (reference composite color information) C is set in advance in association with a predetermined horizontal direction (angle a1) of the virtual camera 42. As the predetermined orientation of the virtual camera 42 to which the reference composite color information C is associated, six reference directions D1 to D6 are set as shown in FIG. 7B. Of these, the reference direction D1 is the reference horizontal direction D1 already described, and the remaining reference directions D2 to D6 are set as directions in which the horizontal angle a1 is 45 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, and 315 degrees. Has been. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the reference horizontal direction D1 is the horizontal direction when the virtual camera 42 looks at the light source 43 in front.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the reference pixels L1 to L3 and R1 to R3 are associated with the reference direction D1 of the virtual camera 42 and each of the reference pixels L1 to L3 has its own reference composite color information C _L11 , C _L21 , C _L31 , C _R11 , C _R21 , C _R31 are set. Similarly, with respect to the other reference directions D2 to D6, unique reference composite color information C is set in association with each of the reference pixels L1 to L3 and R1 to R3. The reference composite color information C is used to generate the filter image P2 as described later, and is information indicating the saturation, brightness, hue, and transparency of each reference pixel. For example, the RGB value and the α value It is expressed by RGBA consisting of

For example, in the case of the virtual game space 41 indicating the daytime ground, the reference composite color information C _L11 indicating white is set in the upper left reference pixel L1 in association with the front reference direction D1, and the lower left reference pixel L2 is set. Is set with reference composite color information _CL21 indicating colorless and transparent, and for these intermediate reference pixels L3, reference composite color information _CL31 indicating intermediate colors (translucent white) of the reference pixels L1 and L2 is set. Yes. For the right reference pixels R1 to R3, reference composite color information C _R11 , C _R21 , and C _R31 having the same values as the left reference pixels L1 to L3 are set in association with the reference direction D1. .

  For the reference direction D2 located to the right of the reference direction D1, the overall brightness is set lower than the reference composite color information C associated with the reference direction D1, and the reference pixels L1 to L1 closer to the light source 43 are further set. The brightness of the reference pixels R1 to R3 farther than L3 is set lower. Regarding the reference composite color information C in the reference direction D3 located on the rear side, the brightness is set to be lower as a whole, and the reference pixels R1 to R3 farther than the reference pixels L1 to L3 closer to the light source 43 are set. The lightness is set lower. The reference direction D6 located to the left of the reference direction D1 and the reference direction D5 located behind the reference direction D1 are the same as those in the reference directions D2 and D3 except that the left-right relationship is reversed. For the reference direction D4, which is the reverse direction opposite to the reference direction D1, the same reference composite color information C is set in the left reference pixels L1 to L3 and the right reference pixels R1 to R3, and The brightness is set to be the lowest as compared with other reference directions D1 to D3, D5, and D6.

  There are a plurality of types of reference composite color information C depending on the environment of the virtual game space 41 (the ground, underwater, air, early morning, daytime, evening, night, and the number and position of the light sources 43). And is appropriately read out by the control unit 8.

On the other hand, when the virtual camera 42 faces in a direction other than the reference directions D1 to D6, the reference composition associated with two reference directions that are adjacent to each other with the direction of the virtual camera 42 sandwiched between the reference directions D1 to D6. Based on the color information C, reference composite color information C for each of the reference pixels L1 to L3 and R1 to R3 is acquired. For example, when the angle a1 indicating the horizontal direction of the virtual camera 42 is 30 degrees, the virtual camera 42 is oriented between the reference directions D1 and D2. In this case, the reference composite color information C of the reference pixel L1 of the filter image P2 (a1 = 30 degrees) is the reference composite color information C _L11 and C _{L12 of} the reference pixel L1 associated with the reference directions D1 and D2 (FIG. 7 ( c) See). Specifically, when the numerical value of the reference composite color information is linearly changed from C _L11 to C _L12 from the reference direction D1 (a1 = 0 degrees) to the reference direction D2 (a1 = 45 degrees). The reference composite color information C corresponding to the direction in which the virtual camera 42 is directed (a1 = 30 degrees) is acquired.

  More generally speaking, when the virtual camera 42 faces between the reference directions D1 and D2, the angle between the reference direction D1 and the orientation of the virtual camera 42 is x, and the orientation of the virtual camera and the reference direction D2 Where y is the angle between the reference color information Cxy of the reference pixel L1 at this time,

  It can be calculated by the expression (1) expressed as Further, other reference pixels L2, L3, R1 to R3 can be similarly calculated. Furthermore, when the orientation of the virtual camera 42 faces between other reference directions, the reference composite color information C corresponding to the orientation can be calculated from the same concept.

* Intermediate reference pixel position displacement *
By the way, among the reference pixels L1 to L3 and R1 to R3, the reference pixels L3 and R3 located in the middle are changed in the vertical position according to the vertical direction (angle a2) of the virtual camera 42. It has become. FIG. 8 is a graph for explaining the relationship between the vertical direction of the virtual camera 42 and the vertical positions of the intermediate reference pixels L3 and R3. The vertical axis in this graph indicates the vertical direction (angle a2) of the virtual camera 42, and the origin (a2 = 0) is the state in which the virtual camera 42 faces the horizontal direction in the virtual game space 41. Above the origin (a2> 0) means that the virtual camera 42 faces upward, and below the origin (a2 <0) means that the virtual camera 42 faces downward. Further, the horizontal axis in the graph indicates the positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3, and the origin indicates the initial position set near the center in the vertical direction of the filter image P2, and as it goes to the right along the axis from the origin. This means that the filter image P2 approaches the upper reference pixels L1 and R1 and approaches the lower reference pixels L2 and R2 in the filter image P2 as it goes to the left along the axis from the origin.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the virtual camera 42 is oriented in the horizontal direction (when the angle a2 = 0), the reference pixels L3 and R3 are set to an initial position near the center in the vertical direction. Then, as the virtual camera 42 is directed upward (a2> 0), the reference pixels L3 and R3 descend and approach the lower reference pixels L2 and R2, the upper region H1 is wide, and the lower region H2 Is getting narrower. Conversely, as the virtual camera 42 is directed downward (a2 <0), the reference pixels L3 and R3 rise and approach the upper reference pixels L1 and R1, the upper region H1 is narrow, and the lower region H2 Is getting wider.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the displacement amount of the virtual camera 42 in the vertical direction (the displacement amount of the angle a2) and the displacement amount of the vertical positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 are linear. It is set to have a general inverse proportion relationship. The upper limit of the displaceable range of the reference pixels L3 and R3 is the upper reference pixels L1 and R1, and the lower limit is the lower reference pixels L2 and R2. Further, the upper limit position of the reference pixels L3 and R3 corresponds to the lower limit (a2 = min) of the vertical direction of the virtual camera 42, and the lower limit position of the reference pixels L3 and R3 corresponds to the vertical direction of the virtual camera 42. The upper limit (a2 = max) corresponds. In other words, when the virtual camera 42 is directed upward, the reference pixels L3 and R3 move downward, and when the virtual camera 42 reaches the upper limit direction, the reference pixels L3 and R3 are the lower limit of the reference pixels L2 and R2. Reach position. Conversely, when the virtual camera 42 is directed downward, the reference pixels L3 and R3 move upward, and when the virtual camera 42 reaches the lower limit direction, the reference pixels L3 and R3 are the upper limit reference pixels L1 and R1. To reach the position.

* Filter image acquisition *
Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the filter image generation means 55 of the game apparatus 1 has a reference composite color information acquisition means 55a, an intermediate pixel position change means 55b, and a filter image acquisition means 55c. Among these, the reference composite color information acquisition unit 55a acquires the reference composite color information C for the reference pixels L1 to L3 and R1 to R3 based on the horizontal direction (angle a1) of the virtual camera 42 as described above. Is. Further, the intermediate pixel position changing means 55b acquires the positions of the intermediate reference pixels L3 and R3 based on the vertical direction (angle a2) of the virtual camera 42 as described above. The filter image acquisition unit 55c acquires the filter image P2 based on the acquired reference composite color information C and the positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the filter image P2. FIG. 9A illustrates a case where the virtual camera 42 is directed in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 9B illustrates a case where the virtual camera 42 is directed upward from the horizontal direction. ) Shows the respective filter images P2 when directed downward from the horizontal direction. In addition, in FIG. 9, the filter image P2 at the time of producing | generating the virtual space composite image P when image | photographing the virtual game space 41 showing the daytime ground is illustrated, and the state illuminated by the light source 43 is represented. Therefore, the image has a gradation that gradually changes from white to colorless and transparent as it goes from the upper end to the lower end. However, from the viewpoint of illustration convenience and ease of understanding, white is replaced with black in FIG. 9.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the virtual camera 42 is oriented in the horizontal direction (a2 = 0), the reference pixels L3 and R3 are set at an initial position near the center in the vertical direction, and the upper and lower areas H1. , H2 have substantially the same area. Then, the filter image acquisition means 55c forms gradation images separately for the upper region H1 and the lower region H2.

  More specifically, for the upper region H1, the combined color information of each pixel (excluding the reference pixels L1, R1, L3, and R3) in the region H1 is used for each of the reference pixels L1, R1, L3, and R3. Set (calculate) to create a gradation between. For example, it is assumed that the reference composite color information C indicating white is set in the upper reference pixels L1 and R1 in the region H1, and the reference composite color information C indicating translucent white is set in the lower reference pixels L3 and R3. . In this case, the combined color information of each pixel is set so that the gradation gradually changes from white to translucent white as it goes from the upper end to the lower end. As a result, a gradation image is formed in the region H1 based on the reference pixels L1, R1, L3, and R3.

  Similarly, for the lower region H2, the combined color information of each pixel (except the reference pixels L2, R2, L3, and R3) in the region H2 is transferred between the reference pixels L2, R2, L3, and R3. Set (calculate) gradation. For example, it is assumed that the reference composite color information C indicating semi-transparent white is set in the upper reference pixels L3 and R3 in the region H2, and the reference composite color information C indicating colorless and transparent is set in the lower reference pixels L2 and R2. . In this case, the combined color information of each pixel is set so that the gradation gradually changes from translucent white to colorless and transparent as it goes from the upper end to the lower end. As a result, a gradation image is formed in the region H2 based on the reference pixels L2, R2, L3, and R3. And one filter image P2 is acquired by each gradation image in the area | regions H1 and H2 formed in this way.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, even when the virtual camera 42 is directed upward (a2> 0) from the horizontal direction, gradation images are individually formed in the regions H1 and H2 in the same manner as described above. By combining these, one filter image P2 is obtained. However, in this case, since the positions of the intermediate reference pixels L3 and R3 are set below the initial position near the center, the upper area H1 is wider than the lower area H2. Therefore, in the case of the daytime virtual game space 41 as exemplified above, the whitened region becomes the filter image P2 that spreads downward as compared with the case of FIG. 9A.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, even when the virtual camera 42 is directed downward (a2 <0) from the horizontal direction, gradation images are individually formed in the regions H1 and H2 in the same manner as described above. By combining these, one filter image P2 is obtained. However, in this case, since the positions of the intermediate reference pixels L3 and R3 are set higher than the initial position near the center, the upper area H1 is narrower than the lower area H2. Therefore, in the case of the daytime virtual game space 41 as exemplified above, the whitened region becomes a filter image P2 narrowed upward as compared with the case of FIG. 9A.

  As described above, the filter image P2 is configured to be different depending on the horizontal direction (angle a1) and the vertical direction (angle a2) of the virtual camera 42.

[Frame image generation processing]
Next, a process of generating a virtual space composite image P by synthesizing the virtual space material image P1 and the filter image P2 and performing other processes on the virtual space composite image P will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of generating a frame image, where (a) shows the overall flow, and (b) shows the flow of the process of synthesizing the virtual space material image P1 and the filter image P2. . The processing shown here is executed by the control unit 8 every time one frame image is generated, and is executed in units of 1/60 [second] in the game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, first, in order to obtain data for drawing an object expressed in an opaque color, such as a background image such as a mountain or the sea and each character constituting the virtual game space 41, a solid is obtained. The process (step S1) is executed. Next, a so-called “nuki process” (step S2) for obtaining drawing data indicating the state of a planar object such as a leaf of a tree existing in the virtual game space 41 is executed. In addition, transparency processing (step S3) for acquiring drawing data for transparent objects constituting the virtual game space 41, and drawing data for particles (particles, etc.) such as blasts and sparks in battle scenes are obtained. The effect process to be acquired (step S4) is executed.

  Subsequently, filter processing (step S5) is executed. In this filter process, a process of combining the filter image P2 with the drawing data obtained in steps S1 to S4, that is, the virtual space material image P1 according to the present embodiment is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, the reference composite color information C is acquired from the horizontal direction (angle a1) of the virtual camera 42 (step S51), and the vertical direction of the virtual camera 42 (angle a2). The positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 are set (step S52), and the filter image P2 is generated based on the reference composite color information C and the positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 (step S53). Then, the filter image P2 is synthesized with the virtual space material image P1 (step S54), and the virtual space synthesized image P is generated.

  In addition, in the filter process in step S5, in addition to the above synthesis process, in order to more realistically express the virtual game space 41 as necessary, a filter image indicating “moy” or the like is generated, A process of combining the virtual space composite image P is also executed. Then, a screen process (step S6) is performed for acquiring two-dimensional drawing data to be displayed at a position closest to the virtual camera 42 with respect to other objects such as a physical strength value and a physical strength gauge of the player character. The drawing data acquired in this way is sequentially written in the frame buffer of the game apparatus 1 and drawn (displayed) on the monitor 20 by the GPU 4 at a predetermined timing.

Example 1
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual space composite image P when the direction of the virtual camera 42 is changed in the vertical direction when the virtual game space 41 is on the ground in the daytime. Further, in FIG. 11, (a) is when the virtual camera 42 is oriented in the horizontal direction, (b) is oriented upward from the horizontal direction, and (c) is oriented downward from the horizontal direction. Each of the virtual space composite images P is shown, and the filter image P2 is also shown. In addition, the filter image P2 shown to (a)-(c) is the same as what was shown to Fig.9 (a)-(c).

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when the virtual camera 42 is oriented in the horizontal direction (a2 = 0), the virtual space composite image P is located near the center of the horizon (or horizontal line) in the vertical direction. It is an image. The image P is combined with a filter image P2 having a gradation that gradually changes from white to colorless and transparent as it goes from the upper end to the lower end. As a result, the virtual space composite image P is an image in which the upper background image close to the virtual light source 43 (sun) in the sky is whitened, and the tendency of whitening of the background is less (white becomes lighter) toward the lower side. It has become. As a result, in the real space, the upper part of the viewer's field of view is perceived as being slightly whitened due to the influence of direct sunlight from the sun or the irregular reflection of sunlight by dust floating in the sky.

  When the virtual camera 42 is directed upward (a2> 0) from the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the virtual space composite image P has the horizon (or horizontal line) positioned downward, A wide area is an image displaying the air. The image P is combined with a filter image P2 in which the whitened region H1 at the top is expanded downward as compared with the case of FIG. As a result, the virtual space composite image P is an image in which the background image of the wider upper region near the virtual light source 43 (sun) in the sky is whitened. This represents a state in which a wider range in the upper part of the field of view is perceived as white when the observer looks up in the real space.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (c), when the virtual camera 42 is directed downward (a2 <0) from the horizontal direction, the virtual space composite image P has the horizon (or horizontal line) positioned upward, The area for displaying the air is a narrow image. Then, the image P is combined with a filter image P2 in which the upper whitened region H1 is narrower upward than in the case of FIG. As a result, the virtual space composite image P is an image in which the background image in the upper narrow area is whitened, and the background image in the lower wide area is an image that is less prone to whitening (white is light). Thereby, when the observer looks down at the real space, only a narrow range at the top of the field of view is expressed as being whitened.

(Example 2)
In the game apparatus 1 described above, the configuration in which the vertical positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 are changed according to the vertical direction (angle a2) of the virtual camera 42 has been described. However, the virtual camera 42 has a vertical height position. a3 can also be changed (see FIG. 5). Then, the vertical positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 may be changed according to the height position a3. Therefore, hereinafter, the virtual space composite image P when the height position a3 of the virtual camera 42 is changed will be described as an example where the virtual game space 41 is underwater. Here, only the parts different from the aspect already described will be described, and the other parts are the same as the above-described aspects, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a graph for explaining the relationship between the height position of the virtual camera 42 and the vertical positions of the intermediate reference pixels L3 and R3. The vertical axis in this graph indicates the height position a3 of the virtual camera 42, and the origin (a3 = 0) is a predetermined height (initial height) in the virtual game space 41 where the virtual camera 42 is underwater. ), Above the origin (a3> 0), the virtual camera 42 is located above the initial height, and below the origin (a3 <0), the virtual camera 42 is below the initial height. It means the state of being located respectively. In addition, the horizontal axis in the graph indicates the positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3, and is set to the same setting as the horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the virtual camera 42 is located at the initial height (a3 = 0), the reference pixels L3 and R3 are set to an initial position near the center in the vertical direction. Then, as the virtual camera 42 moves upward (a3> 0), the reference pixels L3 and R3 descend and approach the lower reference pixels L2 and R2, the upper region H1 is wide, and the lower region H2 Is getting narrower. Conversely, as the virtual camera 42 moves downward (a3 <0), the reference pixels L3 and R3 rise and approach the upper reference pixels L1 and R1, the upper region H1 is narrow, and the lower region H2 Is getting wider.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the second embodiment, the displacement amount at the height position a3 of the virtual camera 42 and the displacement amounts at the vertical positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 have a linear inverse proportional relationship. Is set to The upper limit of the displaceable range of the reference pixels L3 and R3 is the upper reference pixels L1 and R1, and the lower limit is the lower reference pixels L2 and R2. Further, the lower limit (a3 = min) of the height position of the virtual camera 42 corresponds to the upper limit position of the reference pixels L3, R3, and the upper limit of the height position of the virtual camera 42 (a3 = min) corresponds to the lower limit position of the reference pixels L3, R3. a3 = max). That is, when the virtual camera 42 is moved upward, the reference pixels L3 and R3 move downward, and when the virtual camera 42 reaches the upper limit height position, the reference pixels L3 and R3 are the lower limit reference pixel L2. , R2 is reached. Conversely, when the virtual camera 42 is moved downward, the reference pixels L3 and R3 move upward, and when the virtual camera 42 reaches the lower limit height position, the reference pixels L3 and R3 are upper limit reference pixels. It reaches the position of L1, R1.

In the second embodiment, since the virtual game space 41 is underwater, the reference composite color information C is a content that takes this into account. That is, the reference direction D1 with the light source 43 located on the water as the front will be described. The reference composite color information C _L11 indicating white with low transparency is set in the upper left reference pixel L1, and the transparency is set in the lower left reference pixel L2. The reference composite color information C _L21 indicating low black is set, and the reference composite color information C _L31 indicating blue with high transparency is set in the intermediate reference pixel L3. For the right reference pixels R1 to R3, reference composite color information C _R11 , C _R21 , and C _R31 having the same values as the left reference pixels L1 to L3 are set.

  Accordingly, the filter image P2 in the reference direction D1 is white at the upper end, changes to blue with higher transparency as it goes to the lower central part, becomes blue as it goes further downward from the central part, and becomes black as it approaches the lower end. It has become a gradation image. For the other reference directions D2 to D6, each reference composite color information C is set according to the same reference as in the case of the ground game space 41 described in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual space composite image P when the height position a3 of the virtual camera 42 is changed in the vertical direction in the underwater virtual game space 41. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, (a) is when the virtual camera 42 is located at a predetermined initial height, (b) is located above the initial height, and (c) is below the initial height. Each of the virtual space composite images P when they are positioned is shown, and a filter image P2 is also shown.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when the virtual camera 42 is located at the initial height (a3 = 0), the virtual space composite image P is obtained from either the upper water surface 61 or the lower water bottom 62. The image is located in the water 60 relatively far away. The image P is combined with a filter image P2 having a gradation that gradually changes from white to high transparency blue, blue, and black as it goes from the upper end to the lower end. As a result, in the virtual space composite image P, the upper background image close to the water surface 61 is whitened, and the tendency of whitening of the background decreases toward the lower side (white becomes lighter) and slightly blueish, The background image slightly lower in the vicinity is bluish, and the lower background image in the vicinity of the bottom 62 is a blackish image. This realistically represents the scene as seen by an underwater observer.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, when the virtual camera 42 is positioned above the initial height (a3> 0), the virtual space composite image P is an image representing a state of approaching the water surface 61. . The image P is combined with a filter image P2 in which the reference pixels L3 and R3 are positioned below. As a result, the virtual space composite image P is an image in which the background image of the wider area near the water surface 61 is whitened, and the bluish area and the blackened area are narrowed downward. In this way, by using different filter images P2 depending on the height position a3 of the virtual camera 42, a scene that can be seen when an underwater observer is actually located near the water surface 61 is expressed more realistically. doing.

  As shown in FIG. 13C, when the virtual camera 42 is positioned below the initial height (a3 <0), the virtual space composite image P is an image representing a state of approaching the water bottom 62. . The image P is combined with a filter image P2 in which the reference pixels L3 and R3 are positioned higher. As a result, the virtual space composite image P is an image in which the background image of the wider area near the bottom 62 is blackened, the background image of the wide area near the center is bluish, and the whitened area narrows upward. ing. Thus, the scene that is actually seen when an underwater observer is located near the water bottom 62 is more realistically expressed.

(Modification)
By the way, in the above description, the aspect when the vertical direction of the virtual camera 42 is changed and the aspect when the height position in the vertical direction is changed are separately illustrated, but both aspects are simultaneously illustrated. It may be realized. That is, the positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 may be set based on the vertical direction and the height position of the virtual camera 42. This makes it possible to generate a more realistic image representing the virtual game space 41 when the observer actually moves in the vertical direction underwater or in the air and changes the line of sight in the vertical direction.

  Further, the content of the reference composite color information C may be changed according to the change in the vertical direction and / or the height position in the vertical direction. For example, in the case of the ground virtual game space 41, the transparency of the upper reference pixels L1 and R1 may be set higher as the virtual camera 42 changes its direction from the horizontal direction to the lower side. When the reference composite color information C representing white with relatively low transparency is set for the reference pixels L1 and R1, white with low transparency is formed on the upper part of the virtual space composite image P when the virtual camera 42 is turned downward. A narrow band-like region may be formed, resulting in an image lacking reality. However, by setting the transparency to be changed as described above, whitening of the band-like region can be reduced, and thus the reality can be improved.

  Alternatively, the transparency of the upper reference pixels L1 and R1 may be set higher as the virtual camera 42 changes from the horizontal direction to the upper side. When the reference composite color information C representing white having a relatively low transparency is set in the reference pixels L1 and R1, when the virtual camera 42 is turned upward, the wide area above the virtual space composite image P has transparency. The image may be covered with a low white color, resulting in an image lacking reality. However, by setting the transparency to be changed as described above, whitening in a wide upper region can be reduced, and thus the reality can be improved.

  In addition, by combining the above two examples, as the virtual camera 42 moves upward in the horizontal direction, the combined color information C of the upper reference pixels L1 and R1 is set to increase in transparency, and As the virtual camera 42 moves downward with respect to the horizontal direction, the combined color information C of the reference pixels L1 and R1 may be set so as to increase in transparency.

  Similarly, in the case of the underwater virtual game space 41, the transparency of the reference pixels L1, L2, R1, R2 at the four corners of the filter image P2 is set to increase as the virtual camera 42 is directed upward or downward. Also good. Furthermore, in both cases of the ground and underwater, the transparency of the four corner reference pixels L1, L2, R1, and R2 may be set higher as the height position of the virtual camera 42 moves upward or downward. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the relationship between the vertical direction or height position of the virtual camera 42 and the positions of the reference pixels L2 and R2 has a continuous linear relationship. Although the aspect was demonstrated, it is not restricted to this. The relationship may be expressed by straight lines with different inclinations with the origin or other points as a boundary, or may be set so as to have a curved relationship.

  For example, in the virtual game space 41 on the ground, the height position of the virtual camera 42 is set near the ground surface. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, with respect to the movable range of the virtual camera 42 in the vertical direction, the angle range (range of a2> 0) from the horizontal direction to the upper limit (a2 = max) is set to the lower limit (a2) from the horizontal direction. = Min) may be set larger than the angle range (range of a2 <0). In such a case, as indicated by a solid line in the graph of FIG. 14, the displacement amount of the reference pixels L3 and R3 is greater when the virtual camera 42 is directed upward than when the virtual camera 42 is directed downward from the horizontal direction. You may set so that a change rate may become small. Thereby, the lower limit (a2 = min) of the vertical direction of the virtual camera 42 is made to correspond to the upper limit position (upper end of the filter image P2) of the reference pixels L3, R3, and the lower limit position (filter image P2) of the reference pixels L3, R3. The upper limit (a2 = max) of the vertical direction of the virtual camera 42 can be associated with the lower end of the virtual camera 42.

  Note that it is not always necessary that the upper and lower positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 correspond to the lower and upper limits of the vertical direction of the virtual camera 42. For example, as indicated by the two-dot difference line in the graph of FIG. 14, when the orientation of the virtual camera 42 is an angle between the origin and the upper limit, the reference pixels L3 and R3 are at the lower limit position (the lower end of the filter image P2). You may set it to reach.

  In the present embodiment, the initial positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 are set near the center in the vertical direction of the filter image P2. For example, in the ground virtual game space 41, a line connecting the reference pixels L3 and R3. The minute may be set to coincide with the horizon (or horizontal line) drawn in the virtual space material image P1. Then, when the horizon (or horizontal line) is moved by changing the arrangement of the virtual camera 42, the reference pixels L3 and R3 may be set so that the line segment connecting them moves following the horizon (or horizontal line). Good. By doing in this way, the boundary (line segment which connects the reference pixels L3 and R3) of the upper and lower gradation images constituting the filter image P2 and the horizon (or horizontal line) can be made to coincide with each other.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a mode has been described in which a set of reference pixels L3, R3 is set between the upper and lower reference pixels L1, L2, R1, R2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reference pixels L3 and R3 may be set in two sets of reference pixels L3-1 and R3-1 and reference pixels L3-2 and R3-2. In this case, an upper region having the four corners of the reference pixels L1, R1, L3-1, and R3-1, an intermediate region having the four corners of the reference pixels L3-1, R3-1, L3-2, and R3-2, A gradation image can be formed with each of the lower regions having the four corners of the reference pixels L2, R2, L3-2, and R3-2, and a filter image P2 can be generated by combining them. Therefore, by synthesizing the filter image P2 with the virtual space material image P1, it is possible to generate a virtual space synthesized image P that more realistically represents the visual effect brought by the light to the virtual light source 43. Similarly, the reference pixels L3 and R3 may be set to be divided into three or more sets.

  Further, in the above-described example, the case where the visual effect of light generated by the vertical arrangement change of the virtual camera 42 has been described, but the setting is made so as to express the visual effect of light generated by the horizontal arrangement change. You can also Specifically, instead of or in addition to the above-described reference pixels L3 and R3, new reference pixels M1 and M1 are respectively provided between the upper reference pixels L1 and R1 and between the lower reference pixels L2 and R2. Set M2. Reference composite color information is given to the upper and lower reference pixels M1 and M2, and the reference pixels M1 and M2 are moved to the left and right according to the horizontal direction of the virtual camera 42. Then, a gradation image is generated for the left region having the four corners of the reference pixels L1, L2 and the moved reference pixels M1, M2, and the right region having the four corners of the reference pixels R1, R2 and the moved reference pixels M1, M2 is generated. A gradation image is generated, and a filter image P2 is generated based on these. Thereby, for example, when the virtual game space 41 is located near the horizon, such as early morning or evening, the visual effect of light caused by the change in the horizontal direction of the virtual camera 42 can be realistically expressed. it can.

  In the above description, the action game program in which the player character and the enemy character battle each other by the operation of the player has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to other game programs in which the arrangement of the virtual camera 42 can be changed in the virtual game space 41. In addition to the game, the present invention can be applied to an image processing program of a system in which an image obtained by photographing a virtual space is displayed on the monitor 20 by a virtual camera whose arrangement can be changed.

  Moreover, although the case where the virtual light source 43 was located upward was demonstrated, it is not restricted to this, For example, in the virtual game space 41 where the lava emitting red light flows on the ground surface, the virtual light source 43 is set downward. Also good. In this case, the filter image P2 may be a gradation image that changes from red to transparent as it goes from the lower part to the upper part in order to express the influence of light from the virtual light source 43 (lava). Furthermore, two virtual light sources 43 may be set above and below the virtual game space 41, such as the sun and lava. Then, the filter image P2 in this case may be formed so as to form a gradation from the upper part and the lower part toward the central part so as to express the influence of the light from each virtual light source 43. Note that the color to be changed in the gradation image is not limited to the above-described white, blue, and black, and various colors suitable for representing the virtual game space 41 illuminated by the light from the virtual light source 43 are employed. It goes without saying that it can be done.

  Further, although the description has been given of changing the vertical positions of the reference pixels L3 and R3 according to the change in the vertical arrangement of the virtual camera 42, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the vertical position of the virtual light source 43 changes, such as when the position of the sun changes with time, the reference pixel is changed according to the change in the vertical position of the virtual light source 43. You may make it change the vertical direction position of L3, R3.

  In addition, as described above, the region H1 constituting the filter image P2 may generate a gradation image using the combined color information of at least four pixels located at the four corners, and a total of five including these four pixels. A gradation image may be generated using composite color information of two or more pixels. The same applies to the other region H2 constituting the filter image P2.

Furthermore, only one of the regions H1 and H2 of the filter image P2 may be a gradation image, and the other region may not be a gradation image. For example, in the table shown in FIG. 7C, the color information C _L21 , C _L31 , C _R21 , and C _R31 of the reference pixels L2, L3, R2, and R3 in the reference direction D1 are all set to the same value. When the camera 42 is directed in the reference direction D1, the region H2 surrounded by these reference pixels can be a single color image (that is, an image in which none of saturation, lightness, hue, and transparency is changed). Good.

  The present invention provides an image processing program capable of more realistically expressing a virtual space illuminated by a virtual light source as an image according to the arrangement of a virtual camera, a recording medium storing the image processing program, and a computer apparatus can do.

1 Game device (computer device)
8 Control unit 23 Optical disc (recording medium)
24 Game program (image processing program)
41 Virtual game space 42 Virtual camera 43 Virtual light source 53 Virtual camera control means 54 Material image generation means 55 Filter image generation means 55a Reference composite color information acquisition means 55b Intermediate pixel position change means 55c Filter image acquisition means 56 Composite image generation means C Reference Composite color information D1 to D6 Reference directions L1 to L3, R1 to R3 Reference pixels P Virtual space composite image P1 Virtual space material image P2 Filter image

Claims (4)

A computer of an image processing apparatus that controls the arrangement of a virtual camera that captures a virtual space and displays the virtual space captured by the virtual camera on a display unit.
Material image generation means for generating a virtual space material image showing the virtual space photographed by the virtual camera;
In order to express the virtual space illuminated by a virtual light source, filter image generation means for generating a filter image corresponding to the entire area of the virtual space material image, and combining the virtual space material image and the filter image Function as a composite image generation means for generating a virtual space composite image,
The filter image generation means includes
The filter image partitioned into upper and lower regions by a predetermined boundary line, and at least the upper region, the region is gradation at least in the vertical direction based on synthetic color information of pixels located at at least four corners of the region While generating the filter image to be an image, it is configured to change the vertical position of the boundary line according to the change in the arrangement of the virtual camera in the vertical direction ,
Further, the upper left and right pixels of the four corner pixels of the upper region are configured to increase transparency as the virtual camera is directed upward or downward from the horizontal direction. Image processing program.   The image processing program according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the virtual camera in the vertical direction includes a vertical direction and / or a height position of the virtual camera.   The filter image generation unit changes the position of the boundary line downward when the virtual camera is relatively upward or high, and the virtual camera is relatively downward or low. 3. The image processing program according to claim 2, wherein the position of the boundary line is changed upward. A game apparatus comprising: a program storage unit that stores the image processing program according to claim 1; and a computer that executes the image processing program stored in the program storage unit.