Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for converting color data from a higher color resolution to a lower color resolution. Color data is converted by first receiving a plurality of bits representing color data for an image. Next, a subset of pixels represented by the plurality of bits is selected. The color data for each pixel within the selected subset is then divided into least significant bits and most significant bits. Next, the least significant bits for each pixel within the selected subset are compared to a corresponding value in a lookup table. Finally, for each pixel within the selected subset, if the least significant bits are greater than the corresponding value in the lookup table, then the most significant bits are incremented.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying an effect to graphical data utilizes a graphics processor to apply the effect to a graphical image having the graphical data. To that end, the graphics processor is configured to process graphical data in accordance with a preselected graphics processing format, and the effect and graphical image are defined and converted, respectively, into the preselected graphics processing format. The graphics processor is controlled to apply the effect to the graphical image to produce an output graphical image. The output graphical image includes both the effect and the graphical image. The graphics processor may be a graphics accelerator card, and the graphics processing format may be the OPENGL™ application program interface.