Journal of KIISE:Computer Systems and Theory (한국정보과학회논문지:시스템및이론)

Korean Institute of Information Scientists and Engineers (한국정보과학회)
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An Efficient z-Buffer Algorithm using Temporal Coherence

시간 일관성을 이용한 효율적인 z-버퍼 알고리즘

  • Published : 2000.01.15
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Abstract

We present a method that enhances the rendering speed of z-buffer algorithm using temporal coherence between two contiguous frames on fixed viewing conditions. Conventional z-buffer algorithm stores depth value for each pixel on a view plane while rendering some polygons, then it determines the visibility of the remaining polygons based on the stored depth values. If we can get color and depth information for some polygons without rendering, it is possible to generate an image by rendering only the remaining ones. In case of high frame rate, we can find the fact that sets of static polygons of the two contiguous frames are almost the same. This temporal coherence enables us to get the color and depth information of static polygons efficiently. Our algorithm stores color and depth information of static polygons and reuses it for generating the next frame. This method can be easily implemented since it does not require complex data structure and modification for conventional z-buffer algorithm. Also it is adequate for hardware implementation.

이 논문에서는 시점이 고정된 경우 프레임간의 시간 일관성을 이용해서 z-버퍼 알고리즘의 렌더링 속도를 향상시키는 방법을 제안한다. z-버퍼 알고리즘은 일단의 다각형들을 렌더링하는 동안 각 화소의 깊이 값을 저장해서 나머지 다각형들을 렌더링할 때 이들의 가시성을 판별하는데 사용한다. 만약 일부 다각형들에 해당하는 색상과 깊이 정보를 렌더링을 하지 않고도 얻어 낼 수 있다면, 나머지 다각형들만을 렌더링해서 동일한 화상을 얻을 수 있다. 화면의 갱신주기가 짧은 경우 연속된 두 프레임에서 움직임이 없는 다각형들의 집합은 상당히 큰 일관성을 가진다. 이러한 시간 일관성을 이용하면 연속한 프레임에서 움직임이 없는 다각형들의 색상과 깊이 정보를 새롭게 계산할 필요가 없다. 이를 위해 고정된 다각형들의 색상과 깊이 정보를 따로 저장해두었다가 재사용하는 방법을 제안한다. 이 방법은 복잡한 자료구조를 사용하거나 기존 z-버퍼 알고리즘 자체를 바꾼 것이 아니므로 구현이 쉽고 하드웨어로 구현하기도 용이하다.

Keywords

References

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