Showing papers on "Alpha compositing published in 2004"

Reducing the number of compositing operations performed in a pixel sequential rendering system

Abstract: Apparatus 20 is disclosed for rendering an object-based image one pixel at a time in scanline order. The apparatus 20 comprises an optimisation module 550 for generating a set of compositing messages during a first pixel in a run of pixels between adjacent edges of one or two objects, and for generating a reduced set of compositing messages from the set during subsequent pixels in the run of pixels. The apparatus 20 further comprises a pixel compositing module 700 which in addition to compositing the first pixel in the run of pixels also stores a result or partial result of the compositing of the first pixel. The pixel compositing module 700 utilises the reduced set of compositing messages and the stored result or partial result to composite pixels in the run subsequent to the first pixel.

Multiblending: displaying overlapping windows simultaneously without the drawbacks of alpha blending

Abstract: Alpha blending allows the simultaneous display of overlapping windows-such as palette windows in visual workspaces. Although alpha blending has been used in some applications, such as games, it has not been widely adopted. One reason for the limited acceptance is that in many scenarios, alpha blending compromises the readability of content. We introduce a new blending mechanism called multiblending that uses a vector of blending weights, one for each class of features, rather than a single transparency value. Multiblending can in most cases be automatically optimized to preserve the most relevant features of both the palette and the background window. We present the results of a user study in which multiblended palettes provided higher recognizability of both the background and the palette than the best participating version of alpha blending.

Compositing two-dimensional and three-dimensional image layers

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for generating a composite image from both two-dimensional (2D) image layers and three-dimensional (3D) image layers. In one embodiment, the image layers are arranged in a sequence in which a top 3D image layer is separated from a bottom 3D image layer by a 2D image layer and the image layers are rendered according to the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one of the image layers is associated with an adjustment layer, and rendering the composite image includes determining whether each current image layer has an associated adjustment layer with a dimensionality different from that of the current image layer, and if it does, applying the adjustment layer accordingly. In another embodiment, at least one of the image layers is associated with a track matte.

Makeup simulation program, makeup simulation device, and makeup simulation method

Abstract: It is possible to provide a makeup simulation technique enabling a user having no special knowledge to obtain a simulation image of a high quality at high speed with a simple operation A makeup simulation device includes: a first image creation unit (20) for creating n layer images of normalized transparency in which transparency degree of each pixel is normalized according to n layer images contained in a use reference image; a second image creation unit (30) for creating n color-converted layer images by subjecting the frame image to the color conversion processing by using the color component of the layer image; a mesh setting section (50) for setting a mesh in each face area in the frame image and the makeup pattern image; an image deformation unit (60) for calculating a difference between the mesh vertexes set in the both images and deforming the makeup element image in the layer image of the normalized transparency according to the difference so as to match with the face area in the frame image; and a synthesis unit (70) for synthesizing the color-converted layer image and the frame image by the alpha blending

Alpha blending apparatus and thereof method

Abstract: PURPOSE: An alpha blending device and a method therefor are provided to realize more various image expression by controlling logic composition/transformation of OSD data and image data in pixel units of OSD. CONSTITUTION: A synchronous signal processor(100) inputs and outputs a vertical synchronous signal and a horizontal synchronous signal to be synchronized with an external video encoder in outputting data in a predetermined format to a display device. An image data output unit(200) reads image data from a storage device for dividing the image data into brightness components and chroma components. If a background section is decided, an OSD(On Screen Display) data output unit(300) outputs OSD data to be overlaid on the image data. An alpha blending element(400) mixes the brightness components of the image data output unit with the brightness components of the OSD data output unit to clearly show OSD data in a background section.

Mixed but indistinguishable raster and vector image data types

Abstract: An image processing application employs the concept of integral pre-multiplied alpha channel, and combines the techniques of multi-resolution representation, graph-structured representation, and automatic and intelligent data type conversion in order to permit a computer user to mix and manipulate both raster and vector based images in a single user interface while remaining unaware of the different data types underlying the images.

Instant Volumetric Understanding with Order‐Independent Volume Rendering

Abstract: Rapid, visual understanding of volumetric datasets is a crucial outcome of a good volume rendering application, but few current volume rendering systems deliver this result. Our goal is to reduce the volumetric surfing that is required to understand volumetric features by conveying more information in fewer images. In order to achieve this goal, and in contrast with most current methods which still use optical models and alpha blending, our approach reintroduces the order-independent contribution of every sample along the ray in order to have an equiprobable visualization of all the volume samples. Therefore, we demonstrate how order independent sampling can be suitable for fast volume understanding, show useful extensions to MIP and X-ray like renderings, and, finally, point out the special advantage of using stereo visualization in these models to circumvent the lack of depth cues. Categories and Subject Descriptors: I.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: Picture/Image, Generation, I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Three-Dimensional graphics and realism.

Graphics and video integration with alpha and video blending

Abstract: Alpha blending and video blending are both provided by a color definition in an RGBAV format allows for an additional component to control video blending. The V value defines blending of an alpha blended color with a video background.

Method for producing graphics for overlay on a video source

Abstract: Discloses a method for producing graphical overlay elements on a source video program stream using Microsoft PowerPoint slides as a source of the graphical overlay elements to be overlaid on the source video program stream, including representations of real-time information such as stock quotes or weather data. A computer software algorithm is describe which includes a PowerPoint data objects parser that interacts with PowerPoint data objects and user input to create and control the overlay of PowerPoint graphical elements on the source video program stream. The PowerPoint data objects parser produces enhanced data objects representing the overlay graphic elements that include mask and alpha channel data for use a graphics engine to composite the enhanced data objects of the overlay graphic elements with an input video program stream.

Hybrid hardware-accelerated image composition for sort-last parallel rendering on graphics clusters with commodity image compositor

Abstract: Hardware-accelerated image composition for sort-last parallel rendering has received increasing attention as an effective solution to increased performance demands brought about by the recent advances in commodity graphics accelerators. So far, several different hardware solutions for alpha and depth compositing have been proposed and a few of them have become commercially available. They share impressive compositing speed and high scalability. However, the cost makes it prohibitively expensive to build a large visualization system. In this paper, we used a hardware image compositor marketed by Mitsubishi Precision Co., Ltd. (MPC) which is now available as an independent device enabling the building of our own visualization cluster. This device is based on binary compositing tree architecture, and the scalable cascade interconnection makes it possible to build a large visualization system. However, we focused on a minimal configuration PC cluster using only one compositing device while taking cost into consideration. In order to emulate this cascade interconnection of MPC compositors, we propose and evaluate the hybrid hardware-assisted image composition method which uses the OpenGL alpha blending capability of the graphics boards for assisting the hardware image composition process. Preliminary experiments show that the use of graphics boards diminished the performance degradation when using an emulation based on image feedback through available interconnection network. We found that this proposed method becomes an important alternative for providing high performance image composition at a reasonable cost.

Image processing device, image processing method, image creating device, computer software and record medium

Abstract: A halftone reproduction processing section ( 29 ) of an image processing apparatus ( 13 ) has a control part that conducts a halftone processing of input image data by subjecting it to an error diffusion processing, selects input image data on at most one, namely, one or no input image data from the input image data on at least seven colors, namely, primary colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow used as visible colors for forming an image on a recording medium, secondary colors of red, green, and blue that are the complementary colors of the visible colors, and black, and subjects the input image data on the other colors to a different error diffusion processing.

Image processor, imaging apparatus and image processing program

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor for reducing image quality deterioration in the case of generating a single image on the basis of a plurality of images. SOLUTION: This image processor generates a single image on the basis of pixel information of a plurality of input images. The image processor has a compositing means 115 capable of obtaining at least a part of pixels in the single image by compositing pixel information of at least two input images among the plurality of input images. The compositing means changes composition ratios of pixel information on the basis of information about a parallax between the input images. In addition, the image processor changes methods for generating the single image on the basis of the information about the parallax between the input images. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Program, information storage medium, and game device

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize lens flare expression realistically by a simple method in computer graphics SOLUTION: After a picture photographed with a virtual camera arranged within a three-dimensional virtual space is drawn in an RGB channel of a frame buffer for game screen drawing, a concentric filter picture P1 is drawn in an alpha channel Next, separately, a light spot picture P2 is generated, which arranges a light source texture for expressing the light source L and pictures of light spots M (M1 to M5) to be source of an expression of the lens flare in conformity to a specified rule along a straight line connecting a position of the light source L in the screen with a position in the center of the screen Then, on the basis of an alpha value of an alpha channel, filter processing is applied to the light spot picture P2 by alpha composition to express color information, processing result is added and combined to the RGB channel for drawing COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

System and method for using non-alpha channel image data for acceptable alpha channel environment

Abstract: An image rendered by a non-alpha-channel-aware application is employed in an alpha-channel-aware environment. The pixel data file to be written to by the non-alpha-channel-aware application is initialized by setting the alpha value for each pixel to 1. The alpha-channel-aware application then writes to the initialized pixel data file, changing some or all pixel data. The alpha value for each pixel is then decremented by 1 (modulo 256) making the changed pixels opaque and the unchanged pixels transparent.

Processing method and apparatus therefor and image compositing method and apparatus therefor

Abstract: In order to combine N (N≧3) pieces of image data including not only color data but also distance data and opacity data, when images that are to be combined are input, distance data of each pixel in each image data is sorted in parallel for each pixel data at identical coordinates in a plurality of images so as to determine the distance relationship as the order relationship concerning the input image data. On the other hand, color data and opacity data of each input image that are to be combined are stored in a pixel-by-pixel manner. The color data and opacity data stored in the storing step are read and rearranged in parallel by using the order relationship concerning the input image data obtained in the sorting step so that the color data and opacity data are arranged in the order relationship corresponding to the input images. The color data and opacity data rearranged in the rearranging step are combined, in an alpha blending technique, in parallel.

Image processing method and image processor, storage medium and computer program

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize expression for clearly switching a background image which does not have an alpha channel and image data which does not have the alpha channel and to make expressive power of an image to be eloquent by effectively using the alpha channel of frame data. SOLUTION: Only the alpha channel 12 of frame data which is originally used for expressing a frame, is synthesized with image data 11. At the time of synthesis, the alpha channel 12B is inverted (13B) and data is simultaneously converted. Image data to which the alpha channel is added and the background image are alpha-blended. The background image and the image of a photograph can finely be combined by using an alpha value of frame data. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Alpha blending based on a look-up table

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach for generating a blended image from plural image layers in accordance with at least one α-layer being assigned to one of the plural image layers. In accordance with the α-layer, a transparency of image areas of the assigned image layer is indicated. The α-layer includes a pointer associated with an image area of the assigned image layer. A memory stores a transparency table including a plurality of transparency values at particular memory addresses. The pointer refers to an address of the memory storing the transparency table in order to assign a transparency value to the image area.

A Bandwidth Reduction Scheme for 3D Texture-Based Volume Rendering on Commodity Graphics Hardware

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a bandwidth-effective volume rendering scheme which subdivides the volume into the sub-volumes and transmits them to the texture units in visibility order. Each sub-volume is rendered in the same manner as the original volume on the graphics hardware and the corresponding sub-image is blended in the alpha blending unit. The sub-volume oriented processing improves the cache efficiency and allows empty space skipping. Moreover, it is capable of rendering volume datasets that do not fit into the texture memory. Simulations show that the proposed scheme is effective for 3D texture-based volume rendering on commodity graphics hardware by reducing memory bandwidth up to 30 times when compared with the traditional method.

Hardware architecture for image generation and manipulation

Abstract: An image generation and manipulation system includes an integrated circuit dedicated exclusively to direct manipulation of pixel values in a frame buffer. This "rendering processor" draws primitives, performs pixel operations, generates the system display timing and controls the frame buffer, all in response to data and commands delivered to the rendering processor by the host CPU. The degree of pixel processing performed by the rendering processor (and not other hardware or software components) can vary with desired system capability. At a minimum, the rendering processor is capable of drawing pixels into the frame buffer in response to commands received from the host CPU, an illumination processor or other high-level graphics processor. The rendering processor preferably also performs interpolation operations to refine raw pixel values into values meaningful to the display hardware. In addition, the rendering processor can be provided with the ability to perform filtering operations, such as antialiasing and dithering; alpha blending; Z-buffering; clipping to a window or other boundary; double buffering of the image; and texture processing. The rendering processor may include a series of self-actuating registers that are each associated with a particular command. By addressing and writing data into any of these registers, the host implicitly specifies execution of the command associated with the particular register. The rendering processor may also provide a "slave" mode wherein the drawing hardware of the rendering processor is synchronously controlled by an external processor so that the rendering processor single-steps through the scan-conversion process while the external hardware performs related computations.