Abstract: The invention concerns an image-processing method and system for the simulation of structure in relief in image of objects having at least one polygonal surface. The polygonal surface is divided up into a large number of raster elements, and for each raster element, an inclination value determining the inclination of the local surface normal is read out of relief-structure matrix. From the inclination value and either the normal to the polygonal surface or the local normal to the surface, the inclined local normal is calculated and the brightness and/or color of each raster element calculated as a function of the direction of view of the observer, the illumination conditions and the angle of the inclined local normal.

Abstract: In an image-processing method and apparatus for displaying computer-modeled objects that are present in the form of a grid model and are simulated by a plurality of adjacent polygon surfaces, the individual polygon surfaces are divided into pixels and the image impression of each pixel is calculated, on the one hand, corresponding to Phong's illumination model and, on the other hand, by suitable addressing of storage matrices (8, 9) that represent the image impression of the environment, so both a natural-looking shading and the consideration of reflections of the environment in the objects are possible; the environment reflections can be modulated from perfect mirroring of the environment to a complete lack of mirroring.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus is provided for displaying objects composed of at least one polygonal surface. The spatial position of the planar normal (n.sub.x, n.sub.y, n.sub.z) is determined for each object. The image perception of the polygonal plane seen by a viewer is calculated from the planar normal and from a predetermined virtual viewer location by providing a storage matrix that reproduces a cubical enveloping surface surrounding the respective object, and displays an all-around picture from the perspective of the object that is assigned to each object for taking into account the reflections of the environment and other objects within the framework of the local illumination model.