MXPA01001667A - Method and apparatus for rendering image - Google Patents

Abstract

A normal rendering process is performed on at least one object to render an image, and the rendered image is mapped as a texture onto a provisional object (106) composed of a small number of polygons (P1, P2) and the object is rendered in an area (34b) to be displayed. When n objects, for example, are to be rendered in the display area (34b) of an image memory (34), the normal rendering process is performed on at least one of the objects to render an image, for example, in an area (A) in the display area (34b), and the image rendered in the display area (34b) is mapped as a texture onto the provisional object (106) for the remaining (n - 1) objects and the object is sequentially rendered in areas (B1 - B15) in the display area (34b).

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING AN IMAGE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for displaying an image of a number of objects in the same way, for example a grass-covered plain moving in the breeze or groups of sunflowers, a recording medium that stores a program to present said image and a program to present said image.

Previous Technique Recently, different techniques of computer graphics processing (CG) including hidden line processing, hidden surface removal, uniform shading, texture mapping, etc. They have had a rapid breakthrough in combination with rapidly growing hardware technologies. According to a general CG processing scheme, a plurality of three-dimensional shapes (objects) are generated by three-dimensional CAD modeling, and a presentation process is executed generating the application of colors and shadows to the objects, adding optical properties that include mirror reflection, diffuse reflection, refraction, transparency, etc. to objects, adding surface patterns to objects and plotting images depending on environments such as window and panorama reflections and ambient light.

When a number of objects is plotted in the same way, such as a plain covered with grass that moves in the breeze or sunflowers in groups, the previous presentation process on the generated objects is executed. Specifically, to process an ordinary polygon, perspective transformation is performed on the vertices of the polygon by means of a geometry processor, and the polygon obtained is presented in a presentation memory for display by a presentation processor. For example, if n objects such as fish are displayed, then it is necessary to carry out n presentation processes (ordinary polygon processes). Therefore, it is necessary to carry out (n x the number of polygon vertices) the perspective transformations and (n x the number of polygons) presentation processes. Therefore, if n objects such as fish are displayed, for example, calculations and presentation processes are time consuming, and the speed at which these objects are displayed on an exhibit monitor is relatively slow.

Description of the Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of and an apparatus for presenting an image, a recording medium that stores a program for displaying said image, and a program for displaying the image, by executing of a process of normal presentation of an object ttJMt > , tJÉ¿faw - ^^ -? ^ si ^^ ¡É ^ ^., & i ^^^^^ individual for example, and apply a texture to the objects, so that the period required to do the calculations and Graphing objects can be greatly reduced and high-quality objects can be graphed. A method of presenting an image according to the invention comprises the steps of executing a normal presentation process on at least one object to present an image, and mapping the image presented as a texture over a composite provisional object from a small number of polygons and present the object in an area where it will be displayed. With the above method, the normal display process is executed on at least one object, and the produced image is presented in an exhibition area or in an unexposed area of an image memory. 15 Next, the presented image is drawn on a map as a texture on the provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and the object is presented in an area to be displayed. According to the previous method, since the process of Normal presentation is executed on at least one of the different objects and the presented image is applied as a texture to the remaining objects, the time required to make the calculations and plotting several objects can be greatly reduced and objects can be graphed. quality. 25 In the previous method, the stage of execution of the process Normal display may comprise the step of presenting the image in the image memory display area. For example, when n objects are to be presented in the display area of the image memory, the normal presentation process 5 can be executed on at least one of the objects to present an image in the display area, and the image presented in the exhibition area can be plotted on a map as a texture on the provisional object for the remaining objects (n - 1) and the object can be presented in the area of exhibition. Alternatively, the step of executing the normal display process may comprise the step of presenting the image in the area without displaying the image memory. For example, when n objects are going to be presented in the area of image memory display, the normal display process can be executed on at least one of the objects to present an image in the area without display, and the area presented in the area without display can be plotted on a map as a texture on the provisional object for the n objects and the object can be presented in the exhibition area. An apparatus for presenting an image in accordance with the present invention comprises detailed display means for executing a normal display process on at least one object to present an image, and presentation means simple to draw the map of the image presented as a texture on a provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and present the object in the area where it will be displayed. With the above apparatus, the detailed display means executes the normal display process on at least one object, and provides the generated image in a display area or an area without displaying an image memory. Then, the simple presentation means make the map of the image presented as a texture on a provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and presents the object in an area where it will be displayed. According to the above apparatus, since the normal presentation process is executed on at least one of the various objects, the presented image is applied as a texture to the remaining objects, the time required to make the calculations and to graph several objects It can be greatly reduced, and objects can be graphed with high quality. The detailed display means may comprise means for displaying the image in the display area of the image memory. For example, when n objects are to be presented in the display area of the image memory, the detailed display means may comprise means for executing the normal display process on at least one of the objects to present an image on the screen. exhibition area, and the simple presentation means may comprise means for , * UL * »* H ^ .m £ M trace the map of the image presented in the display area as a texture over the provisional object for the remaining objects (n - 1) and present the object in the display area . Alternatively, the detailed display means may comprise means for displaying the image in the non-display area of the image memory. For example, when n objects are to be presented in the display area of the image memory, the detailed display means comprise means for executing the normal display process on at least one of the objects to present an image in the area. no display, and simple presentation means comprise means for mapping the image presented in the non-display area as a texture on the provisional object for the n objects and presenting the object in the display area. A recording medium according to the present invention stores a program comprising the steps of a detailed presentation process to execute a normal presentation process on at least one object to present an image, and a simple presentation process to map the image presented as a texture on the provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and present the object in an area where it will be displayed. A program according to the present invention comprises the steps of the detailed presentation process for a & «aa¡a - fa? ii execute a normal presentation process on at least one object to present an image, and the simple presentation process to map the image presented as a texture over a composite provisional object from a small number of polygons and present the object in an area where it will be displayed. With the above recording medium and program, the normal presentation process is executed by the stage of the detailed presentation process on at least one object, and the produced image is presented in an exhibition area or an area without exhibition of a image memory. The presented image is then plotted on a map by the stage of the simple presentation process as a texture on a provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and the object is presented in an area where it is to be displayed. According to the previous recording medium and the program, since the normal presentation process is executed on at least one of the different objects and the presented image is applied as a texture to the remaining objects the time required to make the calculations and graphing various objects can be greatly reduced, and objects can be graphed with high quality. In the recording medium and program, the stage of the detailed presentation process to execute the normal presentation process may include the stage of presenting the JM ^ g ^ M ^ j image in the image memory display area. For example, when n objects are to be presented in the display area of the image memory, the detailed presentation process executes the normal presentation process on at least one of the objects to present an image in the display area, and the simple presentation process maps the image presented in the display area as a texture on the provisional object for the remaining objects (n - 1) and present the object in the exhibition area. Alternatively, the step of the detailed display process for executing the normal display process may comprise the step of presenting the image in the area without displaying the image memory. For example, when n objects are to be presented in the display area of the image memory, the detailed presentation process executes the normal presentation process on at least one of the objects to present an image in the area without display and The simple presentation process maps the image presented in the non-displayed area as a texture over the provisional object for the (n - 1) objects and presents the object in the exhibition area. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustrative example.

Hama m? ^^^^^^^^^^^ Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a block diagram of a general arrangement of an entertainment apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a view showing meadow leaves as an object; Figure 3 is a view showing sunflowers as an object; Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed individual display cycle and (n-1) simple display cycles for a display area of an image memory; Figure 5 is a diagram showing a provisional object by way of example; Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of object group graphing means according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention; Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of detailed display means in the object group plotter means according to the first embodiment; Figure 8 is a functional block diagram of simple presentation means in the object group graphing means according to the first embodiment; Figure 9 is a diagram showing details of a detailed object information table and a simple object information table; Figure 10 is a diagram showing details of a detailed object file; Figure 11 is a diagram showing details of a simple object file; Figure 12 is a diagram showing details of a movement information table; Figure 13 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the object group plotter means of according to the first modality; Figure 14 is a flow chart of a processing sequence of the detailed display means in the object group plotter means according to the first embodiment; Figure 15 is a flow diagram of a processing sequence of the simple display means in the subject group plotting means according to the first embodiment; Figure 16 is a view showing an example of a object in the form of a person dancing; Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of the individual detailed display cycle for a non-display area of an image memory and n simple display cycles for a display area of the image memory; 25 Figure 18 is a functional block diagram of the aai-fmM ^^ .. ^ J ^ a ^ i-a ^^^ detailed display means in the graphic means of an object group according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 19 is a functional block diagram of the simple display means in the object group plotting means according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 20 is a flow diagram of a processing sequence of the object group graphing means according to the second embodiment; Figure 21 is a flow diagram of a processing sequence of the detailed display means in the group object recording means according to the second embodiment; Figure 22 is a flow diagram of a processing sequence of the simple display means in the object group plotting means according to the second embodiment; Figure 23 is a diagram showing an example of an image representing two objects close to each other; and Figure 24 is a diagram showing an example of an image representing two objects penetrating one another, observing the boundaries of the polygon.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The following will describe the ways in which a method and apparatus for presenting an image is applied with an entertainment apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an entertainment apparatus) to execute the processing. Three-dimensional CG, with reference to Figures 1 to 24. As shown in Figure 1, an entertainment apparatus 10 comprises a main CPU 12 for controlling the entertainment apparatus 10, a main memory 14 for storing various programs that are going to running and several data, a data processor 18 for generating the image data under the control of the main CPU 12 and outputting the generated image data to an image display 16, for example a CRT, and an input / output port 20 to send data to and receive data from external devices. The main memory 14, the image processor 18 and the input / output port 20 are connected to the main CPU 12 by means of a distributor bar 22. To the input / output port 20, an input / output device 24 is connected to inputting data (keyboard registration data, coordinated data, etc.) to the entertainment apparatus 10, and an optical disc unit 26 for reproducing an optical disc such as a CD-ROM or the like in which various programs and data are stored (data related to object, texture data, etc.). The image processor 18 comprises a system of display 30, a memory interface 32, a memory image 34 and an exhibit controller 36 such as a programmable CRT controller or the like. The presentation system 30 serves to present the image data in the image memory 34 by means of the memory based on the presentation command supplied by the main CPU 12. A first distribution bar 38 is connected between the memory interface 32 and the presentation system 30, and a second distribution bar 40 is connected between the memory interface 32 and the image memory 34. Each of the first and second distribution bars 38, 40 has a width of 128 bits to allow the presentation system 30 to present the image data in the image memory 34 at a high speed. The display system 30 is capable of presenting image data of 320 x 240 pixels or image data of 640 x 480 pixels according to the NTSC or PAL system in a real-time manner, i.e. in 1/60 seconds up to 1/30 seconds, more than ten times up to much more than ten times. The image memory 34 is a modified image structure which is capable of designating an area without display 34a and an exhibition area 34b as the same area. The image controller 36 writes the texture data read by means of the optical disc unit 26 or the texture data generated in the main memory 14 by means of the ? ^^^ j ^^^ t ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ tat ^^^^ afa ^ aMfc ^ memory interface 32 within the non-display area 34a of the image memory 34, and reads the image data displayed in the display area 34b of the image memory 34 by means of the memory interface 32 and outputs the read image data to the display unit 16 to display an image thereon. A characteristic function of the entertainment apparatus 10 will be described below, ie a function for plotting a number of objects identically at a high speed. This function is recorded as a program (object group graphic media) on an optical disc. The function can be read from the optical disc, stored in the main memory 14 by means of the optical disc unit 26, and activated when executed from a certain direction thereof. The object group graphing media executes a normal rendering process, which includes texture expression and hidden surface removal and performs physical calculations, perspective transformation, and polygon presentation, on at least an object, traces the map of the image presented as a texture on a provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and presents the object in an area where it will be displayed. Various embodiments of the object group graphing means will now be described. The object group graphing means 100A (see Figure 6) according to a first embodiment of the present ^^ gjl * | ^ ¿gtefcgíg¡gg ^ invention performs a normal presentation process on at least one object, presents the object image in the display area 34b of the image memory 34, traces the map of the image presented in the display area 34b as a texture on a provisional object, composed of a small number of polygons, for the remaining objects (n-1) and presents the object image in the display area 34b. For example, an object 102 of meadow leaves shown in Figure 2, an object 104 of sunflowers shown in Figure 3, is prepared. A normal display process is executed in object 102 or 104 based on the coordinated data determined by an application program, and the object image is displayed in an area A, for example, in the display image 34b of the image memory 34. For storage in other areas B1-B15 in the display image 34b of the memory of image, a provisional object 106 composed of a small number of polygons is prepared, for example two polygons P1, P2, as shown in Figure 5. Based on the coordinated data determined for each of the areas B1-B15 of according to the application program, the object image presented in the area A is plotted on a map as a texture on the provisional object 106, which is then presented in a corresponding one of the areas B1-B15. By repeating the previous process for the areas .fc¿ »a-6a = B1 - B15, it is possible to plot a grassy plain that moves in the breeze or on the display screen or sunflowers in groups that rotate over time on the display screen. The processing sequence and the disposition of the object group plotting means 100A according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 6 to 15. As shown in Figure 6, the object group plotting means 100A comprises processing means of animation 110 operable by a predetermined application software, to successively update the data stored in a movement information table 108 to move an object according to a predetermined sequence, table reading means 116 to read the information of an object individual from a detailed object information table 112, or a simple object information table 114, coordinated reader means 118 for successively reading the movement coordinates from the movement information table 108, detailed display means 120 to graph an object of according to a normal process of presentation, means simple presentation 122 to plot an object according to an application process simpler texture determining means process 124 to determine if the process has been completed or not with respect to all the objects, means image display processors 126 to display a group of ^^^^ ~ ** > »™ - > - ~ > ~~ ^ 'objects displayed in the image memory 34 on the display unit 16 and end determining means 128 for determining whether or not there is a request to terminate the program. As shown in Figure 7, the detailed display means 120 comprises file reading means 132 for reading a detailed object file 130, vertex program calculation means 134 for calculating the vertex coordinates of the polygons based on the current movement coordinates, presentation means 136 for executing the normal presentation process, including texture expression and hidden surface removal, on a polygon and the presentation of the polygon image in area A (see Figure 4) for example, in the display area 34b of the image memory 34, and completion determining means 138 process to determine whether or not completed the process of presentation with respect to all polygons. As shown in Figure 8, the simple presentation means 122 comprises file reading means 142 for reading a simple object file 140, vertex coordinate calculation means 144 for calculating the vertex coordinates of the polygons based on the current movement coordinates, texture application means 146 for applying the image presented in the area A (see Figure 4), for example, in the display area 34b of the image memory 34 as a texture for the polygons in a scale enlarged or reduced depending on the gg¿g £ ^^ - ^^ e ^ i ranges exhibit polygons, and removing means 148 for hidden surface removal execute hidden surface. The details of the different tables and files will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 12. As shown in Figure 9, the detailed object information table 112 and the simple object table 114 store the information required for each object, that is, the number of polygons and reference coordinates. The reference coordinates comprise coordinates x and z (x, y, z) at the center (center of gravity) of the object and the angular displacements (? Z,? Y,? Z) around the respective axes. The initial values of the angular displacements (? X,? Y,? Z) are (? X,? Y,? Z) = (0, 0, 0). As shown in Figure 10, the detailed object file 130 stores the vertex coordinates of a number of polygons that make up a normal object. The vertex coordinates are based on the reference coordinates of the normal object. As it is shown .in Figure 11, the simple object file 140 stores the vertex coordinates of some polygon (for example two) which make up a simple object. The vertex coordinates are based on the reference coordinates of the simple object. An object that is comprised of a few polygons stored in the simple object file 140 can be defined as the provisional object 106 As shown in Figure 12, the motion information table 108 stores the movement coordinates of each object, and is generated by the animation processing means 110. The movement coordinates are representative of how much each object has moved and / or rotated from the reference coordinates of the same. Consequently, it is possible to calculate new vertex coordinates of a polygon after it has been displaced and / or rotated, from the reference coordinates and the movement coordinates of the object and the vertex coordinates of the polygon. In the object group plotting means 100A according to the first embodiment, the animation processing means 110 successively updates the data in the movement information table 108 in order to move an object according to a predetermined sequence in step S1 shown in Figure 13. In step S2, the means of read table 116 read the information of an object to be processed according to the normal display process, from the detail object information table 112. Then, in step S3, the object group plotting means 100A store an initial value "0" in an index register i for searching for an object, thereby initializing an index register i. In step S4, the coordinate reading means 118 reads the current movement coordinates in an ith object from the movement information input 108.

Subsequently, in step S5, the detailed display means 120 executes its processing. A processing sequence of the detailed display means 120 will now be described with reference to Figures 7 and 14. In step S101 shown in Figure 14, the file reading means 132 reads the detailed object file 130. Subsequently , the detailed display means 120 store "0" in an index register j for search of a polygon, thereby initializing the record of the index j in step S102. In step S103, the vertex coordinate calculation means 134 calculates the vertex coordinates of a polygon jth based on the current movement coordinates. Later, the presentation means 136 execute the normal presentation process, including the texture expression and the hidden surface removal, on the polygon jth and present the polygon image in the area A (see Figure 4) for example, in the area display 34b of the image memory 34 in step S104. Then, in step S105, the detailed display means 120 increments the index register j in +1. In step S106, the processing termination determining means 138 determines whether the process has been terminated or not with respect to all the polygons, based on whether the value of the registration index j is or not equal to or greater than the number M of polygons contained in the object. In case the process has not been completed with respect to all the polygons, then the control returns to step S103 to calculate the vertex coordinates of a following polygon and execute the normal presentation process on the next polygon. In case the process has been completed with respect to all the polygons, then the processing sequence of the detailed display means 120 comes to an end. The presentation means 120, therefore, present the object generated by the normal presentation process in the area A in the display area 34b of the image memory 34. The control then returns to the main routine shown in Figure 13 In step S6, the table reading means 116 read the information of an object to be presented according to the simple texture application process, from the simple object information table 114. In step S7, the object group plotter means 100A increases the record of index i in +1. Subsequently, in step S8, the coordinate reading means 118 read the current movement coordinates in the ith object from the movement information table 108. Subsequently, in the step S9, the simple presentation means 122 executes its processing. 25 Next, a sequence of ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ processing of the simple presentation means 122 with reference to Figures 8 and 15. In the step S201 shown 15, the file reading means 142 reads the single object file 140. Subsequently, in step S202, the vertex coordinate calculation means 144 calculates the vertex coordinates of all the polygons recorded in the single object file 140 based on the current movement coordinates. In step S203, the texture application means 146 applies the image presented in the area A, for example, in the display area 34b of the image memory 34 as a texture for the polygons on an enlarged or reduced scale depending on the ranges of polygon display. Specifically, the texture application means 146 draw the map of the image presented in the area A as a texture on the provisional object 106 which is made up of a small number of polygons. At that time, the provisional image 106 is presented in an area where the display area 34b of the image memory 34 is to be displayed., while the hidden surface removal means 148 is executing the hidden surface removal on the provisional image 106. When the processing in the step S203 is finished, the processing sequence of the simple presentation means 122 ends. simple presentation 122, therefore, present the provisional object 106, which has been generated by the application of a simple structure, in a predetermined area B (for example, one of the areas B1-B15 shown in Fig. 4) in the display area 34b of the image memory 34. The control then returns to the main routine shown in Fig. 13. In step S10, the object group plotting means 100A increases the index register i in +1.

Subsequently, in step S11, the process termination determining means 124 determines whether or not the The process with respect to all objects, based on whether the value of the index register i is equal to or less than the number n of the objects registered in the simple object information table 114. In case it has not been completed the process with With respect to all objects, the control returns to step S8 so that the simple display means 122 presents an image by applying a simple texture. The processing in steps S8-S11 is repeated (n-1) times. When the process has been completed with respect to all the provisional objects 106, the control proceeds to step S12 in which the image display processing means 126 exhibits a group of objects presented in the display area 34b of the image memory 34 on the display unit 16. In step S13, the means determining completion 128 determine whether or not there is a request to finalize gBg8 ^^^ j ^ ||| BBÍ á | te ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ the processing of the graphic media of the object group 100A. In case there is no such request, the control returns to step S1 to execute a detailed individual display cycle for the display area 34b and (n-1) simple display cycles for the display area 34b based on the Movement coordinates of each object updated by a following animation process. If there is a request to end the processing of the object group graphing media 100A, then the processing of the object group graphing means 100A is terminated. With the object group plotting means 100A according to the first embodiment, to present n objects in the display area 34b of the image memory 34, the normal display process is executed on at least one object to present the object in the area A of the display area 34, and the image displayed in the area A of the display area 34b is plotted on a map as a "texture on the provisional object 106 for the remaining objects (n-1), and presented in the exhibition area 34b. Therefore, the cost of the calculations and the presentation of the expression images that can not be expressed only by textures, for example, an image of a plain covered with grass that moves in the breeze or an image of sunflowers in groups that rotate with time, can be effectively reduced. While the provisional object 106 is presented * - "* - - • - < - > - * -. ^, *. I-ri > aia ^. * By forming a map of an image * generated according to the In the normal presentation process as a texture, more complex expressions can be presented than the images presented with the prepared textures. to express freely and uniformly the deformations of objects and transformations of point of view. The object group plotting means 100B according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 16 to 24. The object group plotting means 100B according to the second embodiment, to present n objects in the display area 34b of the image memory 34, execute a normal display process on at least one object, present the object image in the non-display area 34a of the image memory 34, trace the map of the image displayed in the non-display area 34a as a texture on a provisional object 106 as n objects, and present the object image in the display area 34b. For example, as shown in Figure 16, it was prepared an object 150 representing a person dancing. A normal display process is performed on the object 150 based on the coordinate data determined by an application program, and the object image is displayed in an area C in the image without display 34a of the image memory 34 as shown in FIG. shows in the Figure 17. ^ jj ^^ s ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ image 34, a provisional object 106 composed of a small number of polygons was prepared, for example, two polygons P1, P2, as shown in Figure 5. Based on the coordinate data determined for each of the areas B1 - B9 according to the application program, the object image presented in the area C is plotted on a map as a texture on the provisional object 106, which is then presented in a corresponding one of the areas B1-B9. By repeating the previous process for the areas B1 - B9 It is possible to graph a group of people dancing in synchrony with others on the display screen. The arrangement and processing sequence of the object group graphing means 100B according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 18 to 24. The object group graphing means 100B according to the second embodiment are substantially the same provision as that of the object group graphing media 100A according to the first embodiment, although it differs from these with respect to the following points: (1) As shown in Figure 18, the display means 136 of the detailed display means 120 executes the normal display process on each one of the .... ugly? sd ^^ ^? ^ u ^? ^ polygons that make up an object, and presents the image in the area C (see Figure 17), for example, in the non-display area 34a of the image memory 34. (2) As shown in Figure 19, the texture application means 146 of the simple display means 122 trace the a map of the image presented in the area C in the non-display area 34a of the image memory 34 as a texture on each of the polygons that make up an object. A processing sequence of the object group graphing means 100B according to a second embodiment and with reference to the Figures 20 to 22. The animation processing means 110 successively updates the data in the movement information table 108 in order to move an object according to the predetermined sequence in step S301 shown in the Figure . In step S302, the table reading means 116 read the information of an object to be processed according to the normal display process, from the detailed object information table 112. Then, in step S303 , the object group marker means 100B stores an initial value "0" in an index register i for the search of an object, thereby initializing the index register i.

In step S304, the coordinate reading means 118 read the current movement coordinates in an ith object from the movement information table 108. Subsequently, in step S305, the detailed display means 120 executes its processing. A processing sequence of the detailed display means 120 will be described below with reference to Figures 18 and 21. In step S401 shown in Figure 21, the file reading means 132 reads the detailed object file 130. Subsequently , the detailed display means 120 store "0" in an index register j for search of a polygon, thereby initializing the index register j in step S402. In step S403 the vertex coordinate calculation means 134 calculates the vertex coordinates of a polygon jth based on the current mill coordinates. Post presentation means 136 execute the process of normal, including the texture expression and the hidden surface removal, on the polygon jth and present the polygon image in the area C (see Figure 17) for example, in the non-display area 34a of the image memory 34 in the stage S404. Then, in step S405, the detailed display means 120 increments the index register j in +1. In step S406, the process termination determining means 138 MM ^ - - »- * - • - -tlÉÉifiÉrtlhir -if ^^^^^^ - ^ ai ^^^ - ^^ ^ tffiJMlifff iiifr determine whether or not the process has been completed with respect to all polygons, based on yes, the value of the index register j is equal to or less than the number M of polygons contained in the object. If the process has not been completed with respect to all the polygons, then the control returns to step S403 to calculate the vertex coordinates of a next polygon and executes the normal presentation process on the next polygon. In case the process has been completed with respect to all the polygons, then the processing sequence of the detailed presentation means 120 ends. The detailed presentation means 120 therefore presents the object generated by the normal presentation process in the area C in the non-display area 34a of the image memory 34. The control then returns to the main routine presented in Figure 20. In step S306, the table reading means 116 read the information of an object that is will present according to the simple texture application process, from the simple object information table 114. In step S307, the coordinate reading means 118 read the current movement coordinates, in the ith object a from the movement information table 108. Subsequently, in step S308, the simple presentation means 122 executes its processing.

Next, a processing sequence of the simple display means 122 will be described with reference to Figure 22. In step S501 shown in Figure 22, the means of read file 142 read the simple object file 140. Subsequently, in step S502, the vertex coordinate calculation means 144 calculates the vertex coordinates of all the polygons recorded in the simple object file 140 based on the current movement coordinates. In step S503, the texture application means 146 applies the image presented in the area C, for example, in the non-display area 34a of the image memory 34 as a texture for the polygons in an enlarged or reduced scale depending on of the polygon display ranges. Specifically, The texture application means 146 trace the map of the image presented in the area C as a texture on the provisional object 106 which is made up of a small number of polygons. At that time, the provisional image 106 is presented in an area to be displayed from the display area 34b of the memory of image 34, while the hidden surface removal means 148 is executing the removal of the hidden surface on the provisional image 106. When the processing in the step S502 is finished, the processing sequence of the simple presentation means 122 comes to the end.

¡¡¡¡Iggg ^^ g ^^^^ tóg ^ iffi ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The simple presentation means 122, therefore, present the provisional object 106, which has been generated by the application of a simple texture, in a predetermined area B (for example, one of the areas B1-B9 shown in the Figure 17) in the display area 34b of the image memory 34. The control then returns to the main routine shown in FIG. 20. In step S309, the object group marker means 100B increments the index register i in + 1. Subsequently, in step S310, the process termination determining means 124 determines whether or not the process has been completed with respect to all the provisional objects 106, based on whether or not the value of the index register i is equal to or less than the number n of provisional objects registered in the simple object information table 114. In case the process has not been completed with respect to all the provisional objects 106, the control returns to step S307 so that the simple presentation means 122 present an image by applying a simple texture. The processing in steps S307-S310 is repeated n times. When the process has been completed with respect to all provisional objects 106, the control proceeds to step S311 in which the image display processing means 126 exhibits a group of objects displayed in the display area 34b of the image memory 34 on the display unit 16.

In step S312, the end determining means 128 determines whether or not there is a request to terminate the processing of the object group graphing means 100B. In case there is no such request, the control returns to the stage S301 to execute a detailed individual display cycle for the non-display area 34a and n simple display cycles for the display area 34b based on the movement coordinates of each object updated by a subsequent animation process. If there is a request to terminate media processing object group plotters 100B, then the processing of the object group plotting means 100B is terminated. With the object group plotting means 100B according to the second embodiment, to present n objects in the display area 34b of the image memory 34, the process of Normal display is executed on at least one object to present the object in the non-display area 34a, and the image displayed in the non-display area 34a is plotted on a map as a texture on n provisional objects 106, and presented in the exhibition area 34b. Therefore, the cost of the calculations and the The presentation to express images that can not be presented only by the textures, for example, uniform movements, dynamic movements and transformations from an interactive point of view, can be effectively reduced. Therefore, an image of a group of people dancing in synchrony with one another or an image of several rival robots that are attacking all at once j? ¡? ^ g ^^ * i * g * Éjjgfc ^ ggágtó? They can be expressed in simple form at a low cost. While the provisional object 106 is presented by drawing a map of an image generated according to the normal presentation process as a texture, more complex expressions can be presented than the images presented with the prepared textures. For example, distortions of objects and transformations of point of view can be expressed freely and uniformly. In the first and second modalities, since an object is plotted as a unitary texture, the following image processing errors can be attenuated: If all the objects are plotted in polygon detail by polygon according to the normal presentation process, then , when expressing an image of a first object 160 and a second object 162 close to each other, as shown in Figure 23, the polygons of those objects may possibly be placed erroneously in their order of arrangement depending on the calculation error in the process of image formation or the precision of hidden surface removal (Z-regulation process, etc.) or similar. If such location error occurs, then when the first object 160 and the second object 162 are observed with the naked eye, as shown in Figure 24 it will appear that they are penetrating one another or the polygon boundaries become visible. With the object group graphing means 100A, 100B according to the first and second modalities, as ufe described earlier, since an object is presented with a texture applied to a small number of polygons, the processing operation and the time and costs required can be reduced when the objects need to be determined (processed) to precise location, and the first object 160 and the second object 162 do not appear penetrating one another. With the method of and the apparatus for presenting an image according to the present invention, as described above, an object is processed according to the presentation process normal, and the other objects are simply processed by applying a texture. As a result, the time required to do the calculations and graph several objects can be greatly reduced and the objects can be graphed with high quality. In addition, using the recording medium in accordance with In the present invention, it is possible to easily execute an image presentation process that greatly reduces the time required to make calculations and to graph several objects and to graph the objects with a high quality. Although certain details have been shown and described in detail In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be understood herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

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Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method of presenting an image, comprising the steps of: executing a normal presentation process on at least one object to present an image; and to draw the map of the presented image as a texture on a provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and to present the object in an area that is going to be exhibited.
2. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of executing the normal presentation process comprises the step of presenting the image in a display area of the image memory.
3. 3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when n objects are presented in the image memory display area, executing the normal presentation process on at least one of the objects to present an image in the exhibition area; and draw the map of the image presented in the area of 20 display as a texture on the provisional object for the remaining objects and present the object in the exhibition area.
4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of executing the normal presentation process comprises the step of presenting the image in an area without 25 display of an image memory. a ^ -u iti ammm? m ^^^^^ «sfe ^
5. 5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that further the steps of: when n objects are presented in a display area of the image memory, execute the normal presentation process on at least one of the objects for present an image in the area without exhibition; Draw the map of the image presented in the area without exhibition as a texture on the provisional object for the n objects and present the object in the exhibition area.
6. 6. An apparatus for presenting an image, comprising: detailed display means for executing a normal display process on at least one object to present an image; and 15 simple presentation means for mapping the image presented as a texture on a provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and presenting the object in the area to be displayed.
7. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the detailed display means comprises means for displaying the image in a display area of an image memory.
8. 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that when n objects are to be presented in an area 25 image memory display, display media -MM ^ tt ^ ^. ^^ tft ^ ÉÉJ ^,., ^^ ^ _, tJrttJH ftliirri IIG ,, * - ^ »> ^^ Detailed MiBit comprise means1"for executing the normal display process on at least one of the objects to present an image in the display area, and the simple display means comprises means for mapping the image presented in the display area as a texture on the provisional object for the remaining objects and presenting the object in the display area
9. 9. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the detailed display means 10 comprise means for displaying the image. in an area without displaying an image memory
10. 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that when objects are to be displayed in a display area of the image memory, the detailed display means comprises to execute the normal presentation process on at least one of the objects to present an image in the area without display, and the simple presentation means comprise means for mapping the image presented in the non-display area as a texture on the provisional object for the n objects and presenting the object in the exhibition area.
11. 11. A recording medium that stores a program comprising the steps of: executing a detailed presentation process to execute a normal presentation process on at least one * ** * ~ ^^^ - - - '* * ~ ***? * - > »~ - -. ^. ^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ and execute a simple presentation process to trace the map of the image presented as a texture on a provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and 5 present the object in an area that is going to be displayed.
12. 12. A recording medium according to claim 12, characterized in that the step of executing the detailed presentation process to execute the normal presentation process comprises the stage of presenting the image in 10 a display area of an image memory.
13. 13. A recording medium according to claim 12, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of: when n objects are presented in the area of 15 displaying an image memory, executing the detailed presentation process to execute the normal presentation process on at least one of the objects to present an image in the display area; and execute the simple presentation process to trace the map of the image presented in the display area as a texture on the provisional object for the remaining objects and present the object in the exhibition area.
14. 14. A recording medium according to claim 11, characterized in that the step of executing the 25 detailed submission process to execute the process of ,.,. ^ - - ^ ^ ^ ...- ^ ^^^ &Mí ^^ MM ^^. ^ £ ^^^ normal presentation comprises the stage of presenting the image in an area without exhibition of a image memory.
15. 15. A recording medium according to claim 14, comprising the steps of: 5 when n objects are to be presented in a display area of the image memory, executing the detailed presentation process to execute the presentation process normal on at least one of the objects to present an image in the non-displayed area; and 10 execute the simple presentation process to map the image presented in the non-display area as a texture on the provisional object for the n objects and present the object in the display area.
16. 16. A program comprising the steps of: executing a detailed display process to execute a normal display process on at least one object to present an image; and executing a simple presentation process to map the image presented as a texture on a provisional object composed of a small number of polygons and presenting the object in an area to be displayed. ¿F ^ a ^ fe ^ ^^ .. ,, ma! ^^ feA feA. > . - «- frfir rrfUlrrT T ~? ArnÍBMMM W Iri? ^ TTIIII iil -fi? * - - * &** ** ******