Abstract: A system and method for generating sample points that can generate the sample points in parallel. The sample points can be used in processing in parallel, with the results subsequently collected and used as necessary in subsequent rendering operations. Sample points are generated using a coarse Halton sequence, which makes use of coarse radical inverse values ?bi,M(j) as follows: ?bi,M(j)=?b(jM+i) where base “b” is preferably a prime number, but not a divisor of “M,” and “i” is an integer. Using this definition, the s-dimensional coarse Halton sequence USCHal,i,M, which may be used to define sample points for use in evaluating integrals, is defined as UsCHal,i,M=(?b1i,M(j), . . . , ?bsi,M(j)) where b1, . . . , bs are the first “s” prime numbers that are not divisors of “M.” Each value of “i” defines a subsequence that is a low-discrepancy sequence, and so can be used in connection with processing.

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates a three-dimensional model of an object in an interactive manner under control of an operator. An initial model for the object to be modeled is displayed to the operator as illuminated from a particular illumination direction and projected onto an image plane. The operator can update shading of a pixel on the image plane, and, based on the updated shading, the computer graphics system generates an updated normal vector for the updated pixel, which identifies the normal of the surface of the object projected onto the updated pixel. Using the updated normal vector field and a height field, which represents the height of the respective portion of the object as projected onto the respective pixels of the image plane, the computer graphics system generates an updated height value for the updated pixel, thereby to update the height field.

Abstract: A computer graphics system is described in which a new type of entity, referred to as a “phenomenon,” can be created, instantiated and used in rendering an image of a scene. A phenomenon is an encapsulated shader DAG comprising one or more nodes each comprising a shader, or an encapsulated set of such DAGs which are interconnected so as to cooperate, which are instantiated and attached to entities in the scene which are created during the scene definition process to define diverse types of features of a scene, including color and textural features of surfaces of objects in the scene, characteristics of volumes and geometries in the scene, features of light sources illuminating the scene, features of simulated cameras will be simulated during rendering, and numerous other features which are useful in rendering. Phenomena selected for use by an operator in connection with a scene may be predefined, or they may be constructed from base shader nodes by an operator using a phenomenon creator.

Abstract: A computer graphics system is described in which a new type of entity, referred to as a “phenomenon,” can be created, instantiated and used in rendering an image of a scene. A phenomenon is an encapsulated shader DAG comprising one or more nodes each comprising a shader, or an encapsulated set of such DAGs which are interconnected so as to cooperate, which are instantiated and attached to entities in the scene which are created during the scene definition process to define diverse types of features of a scene, including color and textural features of surfaces of objects in the scene, characteristics of volumes and geometries in the scene, features of light sources illuminating the scene, features of simulated cameras will be simulated during rendering, and numerous other features which are useful in rendering. Phenomena selected for use by an operator in connection with a scene may be predefined, or they may be constructed from base shader nodes by an operator using a phenomenon creator.