Abstract: In a graphics processing system, the left, right, top and bottom edge planes for the purposes of clipping are set to the maximum values that can be represented using floating-point format numbers, vertex positions are snapped to a grid of predefined vertex positions, and the precision of selected vertices is prioritized when deriving edge functions for a given primitive. In respect of the depth near and far clipping planes, those planes are set to the maximum floating-point number format that can be represented for “Z” in the graphics system, but then fragments that have a Z value that falls outside the range zero to one are discarded using a depth test. In respect of the eye-plane, the need for clipping is avoided by modifying edge equations generated for a primitive in dependence on the sign of a “W” value for each vertex of the primitive.

Abstract: A graphics processing apparatus 2 includes graphics processing pipelines 8. The graphics processing pipelines 8 include a programmable hardware stage 12, a pipeline memory 22 and writeback circuitry 16. Programmable resolving circuitry 18 is provided by the programmable hardware stage 12 within each pipeline and is responsive to one or more graphics program instructions to read pixel values at a first resolution generated within the pipeline memory 22 by pixel value generating circuitry 18 provided by the programmable hardware stage 12 and to perform a resolving operation upon these pixels values so as to generate pixel values at a second resolution. These pixel values at the second resolution are then written back to a frame buffer memory 6.

Abstract: A filled shape is defined by edge data forming one or more boundaries thereof. Local shape data is generated from the edge data for each graphics region overlapped by the filled shape. The local shape data separately represents for each graphic region at least any edge of the filled shape within the graphics region and an overlap value indicative of a difference between a number of times the boundaries of the filled shape surround the region in a clockwise direction and the number of times the boundaries surround the region in a counter-clockwise direction. For each graphics region having local shape data, the local shape data is used to generate pixel values for pixels within that graphics region that are within the filled shape to be drawn.

Abstract: A graphics processing apparatus 2 includes graphics processing pipelines 8. The graphics processing pipelines 8 include a programmable hardware stage 12, a pipeline memory 22 and writeback circuitry 16. Programmable resolving circuitry 18 is provided by the programmable hardware stage 12 within each pipeline and is responsive to one or more graphics program instructions to read pixel values at a first resolution generated within the pipeline memory 22 by pixel value generating circuitry 18 provided by the programmable hardware stage 12 and to perform a resolving operation upon these pixels values so as to generate pixel values at a second resolution. These pixel values at the second resolution are then written back to a frame buffer memory 6.

Abstract: In a graphics processing system, the left, right, top and bottom edge planes for the purposes of clipping are set to the maximum values that can be represented using floating-point format numbers, vertex positions are snapped to a grid of predefined vertex positions, and the precision of selected vertices is prioritised when deriving edge functions for a given primitive. In respect of the depth near and far clipping planes, those planes are set to the maximum floating-point number format that can be represented for Z in the graphics system, but then fragments that have a Z value that falls outside the range zero to one are discarded by means of a depth test. In respect of the eye-plane, the need for clipping is avoided by instead modifying the edge equations generated for a primitive in dependence on the sign of the W value for each vertex of the primitive.