Namco Limited

Namco Bandai Games, Ltd.

Shigeru Kitsutaka

An objective of the present invention is to provide a game system, program and image generating method which can generate a more realistic image with reduced processing load by using an alpha value set depending on a depth value. Z-value for each pixel in an original image is transformed into Z-value that is formed of bits I to J which are positioned lower than the most significant bit in the Z-value. The alpha value for each pixel is set at a value corresponding to the Z-value. Representation of the depth of field or fog image is enabled by using the alpha value to generate an image. The Z-value is clamped to a given value depending on a bit value other than the bits I to J of the Z-value. Bits M to N and K to L (where K&#x2267;I&#x2267;L&#x3e;M&#x2267;J&#x2267;N) in the Z-value are set as index numbers in LUTand LUTand used to perform texture mapping for transforming the Z-value into Z- and Z-values. These Z- and Z-values are used to determine the Z-value.

Game system and image generating method

Game system and image creating method

An object is to provide a game system, program and image generating method which can effectively generate an image having an edge line of higher quality. The image of an edge line EDL of an object OB is changed depending on a distance between the object and the viewpoint or the size of the perspectively transformed object OB. As the distance between the object and the viewpoint increases or as the size of the perspectively transformed object decreases, the color of the edge line of the object gradually becomes the second color. The color of the edge line begins to become the second color at a threshold value VTN. The color of the edge line is set to the second color at another threshold value VTF. As the distance between the object and the viewpoint increase or as the size of the perspectively transformed object decreases, the image of the edge line of the object is made more transparent. When the distance between the object and the viewpoint (or the size of the object) is substantially equal to a distance in the viewpoint follow mode, the color or translucency of the edge line is maintained substantially constant. When the distance between the object and the viewpoint is at the threshold value VTF, the image of the edge line substantially disappears. The image of the edge line is drawn in the outside or inside area of the object.

Game system, program and image generating method

It is an object to provide an image generating system and program which can generate such an image as in the real world with reduced processing load. The alpha-value for each pixel in the original image is set to a value corresponding to its Z-value. The set alpha-value is used to perform alpha-blending between the original image and a defocused image. As the difference between the Z-value of the focus and the depth value increases, the synthesis ratio of the defocused image is increased. The range of depth of field and defocusing effect are controlled by varying the corresponding relationship between the Z-value and the alpha-value. The alpha-value is set such that the alpha-value for an pixel located in an area ARbetween Zand Zwill be set to &#x3b1;, the alpha-value for an pixel located in an area ARbetween Zand Zwill be set to &#x3b1;and so forth. The alpha-value is set by updating the alpha-value of a pixel located farther from an object when the object is drawn in a frame buffer. When the original image is set as a texture which is in turn mapped through the bi-linear filtering method, the defocused image is generated by shifting the texture coordinates by a value smaller than one texel.

Image generating system and program

The present invention provides an image generation system and program that apply shading for producing a cel animation type of image, with a reduced processing load. Brightness information is set for each pixel of a two-dimensional image that is obtained by perspective transformation of a three-dimensional object, based on brightness information set for that three-dimensional object, the two-dimensional image is divided into a plurality of areas based on the thus-set brightness information, and stepped shading is applied in units of the thus-divided plurality of areas. This brightness information could be set beforehand or it could be calculated in real-time, based on a given condition. The system could also comprise means for determining the pixels to be rendered by comparing the brightness information of each pixel with a given threshold value, then performing adjustment processing on the color information of the pixels to be rendered, based on color information that acts as a reference. This threshold value can be varied in accordance with the number of steps of shading, and adjustment processing can be performed a plurality of times on color information of pixels to be rendered.

Image generation system and program

A game system, program and image generating method which can effectively generate an image of an edge line in a more natural manner are provided. The image of an edge line EDL of an object OB is drawn in an inside area of an edge of the object OB. The object is translucent-synthesized with the edge line with a translucency determined depending on the distance from the viewpoint or the size of the perspectively transformed object. A Z-value of the object in a position where the edge line is to be drawn is set as the Z-value of the edge line. A mapping image is mapped on a virtual polygon through the bi-linear filtering method while shifting a texture coordinate in the first or second direction, thereby drawing the edge line of the object. A virtual polygon is generated such that it encloses the image of the perspectively transformed object and has a size variable depending on the size of the perspectively transformed object. An alpha value set in the inside area of the edge of the object is different from an alpha value set in the outside area thereof. The edge line region in the inside area of the edge of the object is detected based on the alpha value that has been subjected to the texel interpolation.

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Kawasaki, Japan

Shigeru Kitsutaka