Abstract: A method for rendering a graphical polygon, the polygon being defined by connecting edges surrounding a polygon interior, including the steps of computing multiple spans, each span including a portion of the polygon interior and at least one point on an edge of the polygon, computing at least one color value for each computed span, and rendering the spans on a display using the computed color values. In addition, an apparatus for rendering a graphical polygon, the polygon being defined by connecting edges surrounding a polygon interior, including apparatus for computing multiple spans, each span including a portion of the polygon interior and at least one point on an edge of the polygon, apparatus for computing at least one color value for each computed span, and apparatus for rendering the spans on a display using the computed color values.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a data processing system operable for displaying anti-aliased lines on a display device comprised of a matrix array of pixels. This system receives data pertaining to the line to be displayed, the line being defined by start and end points which position the line relative to the pixels within the matrix array. The relative position of the line with respect to pairs of pixels bounding the line are ascertained. The illumination intensities for each pixel within each pair is then dependent upon this relative position. The relative positions are ascertained by subdividing the matrix array of pixels into subpixel regions so that the subpixel nearest the intersection of the line and a theoretical boundary intersecting the pairs of pixels may be established.