Method and apparatus for rendering graphical images using parallel

Abstract

A distributed animation comprising a plurality of processors wherein each processor is responsible for rendering only a portion of the entire image. After the plurality of processors compute their respective images, the image data is communicated to a buffer. The buffer also receives image data from other sources. The buffer combines the image data from all sources into a single image frame which is then stored in a frame buffer. The buffer comprises a plurality of buffer elements, each buffer element being associated with a single graphics element (processor or video source). Each buffer element includes an input terminal for receiving pixel data from its corresponding graphics element, an output terminal for outputting pixel data, and a second input terminal for receiving pixel data from the output terminal of a previous buffer element. The pixel data typically includes a Z value which provides the depth location in the image of the object represented by that pixel. The Z value of the pixel received on the first input terminal is compared to the Z value of the pixel received on the second input terminal, and the multiplexer outputs the pixel value that is 'closer' in the image.