Schlumberger Systems

Brian D Schroeder

Michael Frank Deering

Jorge Lach

Thomas L Durant

Anthony C Barkans

Dorothy Gordon

An improved method and apparatus for classifying triangles. A description of a triangle in the form of the coordinates of its vertices is supplied to calculation logic. The calculation logic calculates a plurality or parameters of the triangle from these coordinates. These parameters are then provided to a look-up table. The look-up table has previously been programmed to include at each address the proper triangle classification for that address, with each address being a different combination of the parameters. The addresses for the look-up table cover all possible combinations of the parameters, and thus all possible triangles.

Triangle classification setup method and apparatus for 3-D graphics

A system for clipping polygons representing three-dimensional objects to produce a representation of the portion of the objects in a desired viewing space is disclosed. A guardband space at least partially enclosing the viewing space is defined. The polygons are compared to the guardband space to determine which polygons intersect at least one of the guardband planes defining the guardband space. The intersecting polygons are also compared to the viewing space to determine if they intersect at least one of the viewing planes defining the viewing space. Only polygons intersecting both a viewing plane and a guardband plane are clipped.

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Lowell, MA, United States of America

Brian D Schroeder