Abstract: An image processing system and a concomitant method for rapid image processing. The system generates special image format containing a plurality of subimages. When an image is edited, the system uses the information in the subimages to calculate a depiction of the image on the display appropriate to display resolution, given the current pan and zoom. Image alterations are stored within a computer file as an expression tree. Each node in the expression tree defines a particular editing operation that resulted in modifications to the image. To display the image upon a computer monitor display, the expression tree defining the alterations is evaluated to form a composite output image having a resolution appropriate to display an accurate rendition of the edited image. Once edited, the output image can be printed on a high resolution printer by combining the expression tree with a full resolution image to produce a high resolution output image.

Abstract: A method for image processing in a computerized system reduces the amount of memory required for image processing and produces a layered effect which permits complex manipulation such as scaling and rotation without long delay, while allowing earlier versions of the visual image to be recalled. The method involves pre-processing, image editing and raster image processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rendering perspective views of a 3D scene. The method of the present invention includes the steps of: providing an environment map containing pixel values representing the scene; generating a scanline-coherent look-up table containing environment map indices ordered in scanlines; mapping scanlines of a viewing plane to a portion of the look-up table scanlines based upon a pitch angle of the perspective view to be rendered; locating pixel values in a portion of the environment map based on a yaw angle and based on the environment map indices stored in the portion of the look-up table scanlines to which the viewing plane scanlines are mapped; writing the located pixel values into the viewing plane; and rendering the viewing plane onto a display.