Rendering 3D Computer Graphics Using 2D Computer Graphics Capabilities

摘要

Method for generating and displaying 3D graphic images on the display of a terminal device using 2D graphic environments, where every possible scene is modeled by one or more objects that can be represented by polygons using a suitable modeling method. The geometry of the polygons that correspond to each object is projected for any desired orientation of the objects, onto the plane of the display. For each object, curves connecting the projections of the vertices of its corresponding mesh of polygons in all different orientations of that object and consisting of a plurality of discrete points, is created, such that every point on each curve is stored according to its (x,y) position on the plane, and such that the resolution of each curve is determined according to the number of points. A visibility analysis is performed for every mesh that corresponds to a specific orientation, thereby determining the distance of the points from the viewer. Hidden polygons and/or edges or portions thereof are deleted and the geometry for all orientations is optimally encoded. Then 3D graphic images are displayed in the 2D environments by using the encoded geometry for reconstructing a portion of, or all, the remaining polygons and filling the remaining polygons according to predefined rules.