Abstract: An image rendering method comprising the steps of: (a) performing a noisy estimation of a given view of a given scene of said image using a Monte-Carlo stochastic renderer, wherein general information of each ray sample, such as color and position in the image plane, is stored, (b) calculating a similarity measure between two sets of samples cast from two pixels of said scene and their neighbors, and (c) generating an output image wherein each pixel color is a weighted combination of the pixel colors generated from (a) with weights based on the similarity measure of (b) between the respective set of samples cast from the pixels and their neighbors.

Abstract: An image rendering method comprising the steps of: (a) performing a noisy estimation of a given view of a given scene of said image using a Monte-Carlo stochastic renderer, wherein general information of each ray sample, such as color and position in the image plane, is stored, (b) calculating a similarity measure between two sets of samples cast from two pixels of said scene and their neighbors, and (c) generating an output image wherein each pixel color is a weighted combination of the pixel colors generated from (a) with weights based on the similarity measure of (b) between the respective set of samples cast from the pixels and their neighbors.

Abstract: A method of processing a starting image, to obtain a final image of better quality, the method comprising the following steps: a) establishing a predefined quality level and/or a predefined processing time for the final image; b) computation information relating to said starting image; c) analyzing said starting image by means of said computed information; d) determining whether said information is sufficient to obtain said predefined quality level for said final image; e) if the step d) determines that the information is sufficient and/or if processing time is exhausted, reducing the noise of said starting image to obtain said final image; and f) if the step d) determines that the information is insufficient and/or processing time is not exhausted, refining the computation in the step b).

Abstract: A method of processing a starting image, to obtain a final image of better quality, the method comprising the following steps: a) establishing a predefined quality level and/or a predefined processing time for the final image; b) computation information relating to said starting image; c) analyzing said starting image by means of said computed information; d) determining whether said information is sufficient to obtain said predefined quality level for said final image; e) if the step d) determines that the information is sufficient and/or if processing time is exhausted, reducing the noise of said starting image to obtain said final image; and f) if the step d) determines that the information is insufficient and/or processing time is not exhausted, refining the computation in the step b).

Abstract: Simulating lighting at an estimation point of an image synthesized in three dimensions describing a scene provided with a light source, the estimation point situated on a surface. The method involves selecting a cloud of virtual photons by sending photons from the light source and by following the paths of the photons, each interaction with a surface of the scene potentially generating a new photon in the cloud, and storing a surface characteristic of the surfaces touched by the photon; and selecting a local volume of the photon map arranged around the estimation point. Additional steps can involve analyzing the photons contained in the local volume to detect the presence of at least one other surface different from the surface and extending in the vicinity of the estimation point; and calculating the indirect lighting at the estimation point while taking account of the at least one other detected surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for exchanging a 3D view between a first and a second user having both a piece of software for creating 3D views. A view is created by the first user. This view comprises an encrypted object, the first user being licensed for the encrypted object. This view is stored in a file by the first user. The encrypted object is encrypted and the result of this encryption is stored as encrypted data in the file. According to the invention, non-encrypted data defining the encrypted object is stored in the file in parallel to the encrypted data relating to the encrypted object. This non-encrypted data can be read by the second user, so that the second user can see the encrypted object if he has acquired a license for this object, or a basic representation of the encrypted object if he has not acquired a license.

Abstract: A process for creating three-dimensional or relief views with the help of software running on a computer system for adjusting brightness of a scene comprising a plurality of pixels includes: determining a representative brightness of at least one predetermined area of the scene based on brightness of each pixel of the at least one predetermined area; comparing the average brightness to a reference value; and correcting the brightness of at least a portion of the scene in accordance with a result of the comparison.