Abstract: The invention provides a device for converting data types corresponding to functional animations into a form that is amenable to fast renderings of the animation by using of a presentation library. It therefore bridges a gap between the high level flexibility needed to formulate animations with the low level rigid structuring imposed by presentation software that directly interfaces with image rendering and sound presenting hardware. A spite engine interprets a list of sprites which is created and updated by a normalizer software component. The sprite engine must interpret its list at a refresh rate suitable for rendering video images. The normalizer must deal with the functional data types built by the functional animation software and convert those data types into lists of sprites.

Abstract: A pre-processing method prepares 3D objects for rendering to image layers in a layered graphics rendering pipeline. The method transforms a bounding volume for an object to a 2D bounding box in a 2D view space. It then subdivides the bounding box into blocks of image samples called chunks. To computer the portion of the object that should be rendered to each chunk, it determines which geometric primitives of the object overlap each chunk and generates a list of primitives to the rendered for each chunk.

Abstract: A method for rendering graphical objects in a scene to generate a display images includes dividing the geometric primitives of models in a scene among portions or "chunks" of the view space to which the primitives will be rendered, and then rendering geometry referenced to the chunks in series in a common depth buffer. Geometry for a chunk can be rendered, including sophisticated anti-aliasing and translucency computations, using a minimum of memory. Serially rendering object geometry in chunks provides an effective form of compression because pixel fragments can be generated for one chunk at a time and then resolved. Pixel fragments can be resolved in a post-processing step for one chunk while primitives for another chunk are rasterized.

Abstract: A method and system for modeling interactive animation and other integrated media includes support for a declarative modeling language and a system for presenting media represented in a declarative language model. The modeling language enables authors to represent natural or modeled media in a compact model, and it allows for the explicit description of time varying behavior as well as reactive behavior, which occurs in response to discrete events. The system compiles or interprets the model, optimizes it, and controls the presentation of media represented in it.