System and method for using indirect texturing to efficiently simulate and image surface coatings and other effects

摘要

Water surface and other effects are efficiently simulated to provide real time or near real time imaging on low-capacity computer graphics computation platforms. Water and other surfaces are modeled using multiple independent layers can be dynamically adjusted in response to real time events. The number of layers used in a given area can be adjusted to reduce computational loading as needed. Different algorithms can be employed on different layers to give different effects. The multiple layer modeling is preferably converted to polygons using an adaptive polygon mesh generator based on camera location and direction in the 3D world to provide automatic level of detailing and generating a minimal number of polygons. The visual effects of water droplets and other coatings on see-through surfaces can be modeled and provided using indirect texturing.

主权项

1. A method of using texture mapping to generate an image of a virtual three-dimensional scene viewed through a virtual surface such as a window or lens through which a user views at least a part of the three-dimensional scene, the virtual surface having a virtual coating thereon that at least partially covers the virtual surface, the method comprising:
creating and storing a first texture map that models image distortion the virtual coating would impart to light travelling through the virtual surface, said first texture map comprising a first set of texels each providing difference offsets used to simulate the image distortion the virtual coating would impart; creating and storing a second texture map representing the virtual three-dimensional scene image, the second texture map comprising a second set of texels; accessing the first set of texels in a first texture mapping operation; using the accessed first set of texels as texture coordinates to access the second set of texels in a second texture mapping operation mapping the second set of texels onto the virtual viewing surface; and providing for display, on a display device, the texture mapped virtual surface as a distorted image.