Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Zhejiang University

Qiming Hou

Kun Zhou

Heung-Yeung Shum

Baining Guo

John Michael Snyder

Minmin Gong

Rui Li

A method for efficiently visualizing parallel vector data rapidly renders high-quality complex vector graphics. The present invention provides a scanline algorithm for calculating and rendering on contour lines, which parallel-rasterizing on the contour lines. The algorithm firstly rasterizes the contour lines into segments corresponding to output image pixels. On each segment, color values are analytically calculated, or approximately obtained by a sampling algorithm. Contour rasterizing is efficiently completed in parallel. By analytical calculation or 32-bit sampling, high quality results are obtained. The present invention adapts parallel prefixes and algorithms in a scanline direction to obtain covering information for each pixel and generate filled areas. Finally, the contour line segments and the filled areas of the vector graphics are rendered in the output image. The present invention is entirely based on parallel many-core computing devices for real-time high-quality vector graphic rendering with hardware acceleration.

Method for efficient parallel visualizing vector graphic

A real-time algorithm for rendering an inhomogeneous scattering medium such as fog is described. An input media animation is represented as a sequence of density fields, each of which is decomposed into a weighted sum of a set of radial basis functions (RBFs) such as Gaussians. The algorithm computes airlight and surface reflectance of the inhomogeneous scattering medium. Several approximations are taken which lead to analytical solutions of quantities such as an optical depth integrations and single scattering integrations, and a reduced number of integrations that need to be calculated. The resultant algorithm is able to render inhomogeneous media including their shadowing and scattering effects in real time. The algorithm may be adopted for a variety of light sources including point lights and environmental lights.

Real-time rendering of light-scattering media

A real-time algorithm for rendering of an inhomogeneous scattering medium such as fog with a surface object immersed therein is described. An input media animation is represented as a sequence of density fields. The algorithm computes surface reflectance of the surface object in the inhomogeneous scattering medium. The algorithm may also compute airlight of the inhomogeneous scattering medium. Several approximations are taken which lead to analytical solutions of quantities such as optical depth integrations and single scattering integrations, and a reduced number of integrations that need to be calculated. The resultant algorithm is able to render inhomogeneous media including their shadowing and scattering effects in real time. The algorithm may be adopted for a variety of light sources including point lights and environmental lights.

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Hebei, China

Qiming Hou